Producer Rajan Shahi has always gone the extra mile to make his actors feel special. The producer-director made sure actor Gaurav Khanna celebrated his birthday well. While it was a working birthday for Gaurav, he celebrated it in style on the sets of Anupama. The actor, who is an integral part of the show, cut a cake and celebrated turning a year older with much fanfare.

A special cake was organized for the actor and he cut it along with the rest of the team as well as producer Rajan Shahi. The cast and crew also gathered for some special pictures after the cake-cutting ceremony.

Anupama was produced by Rajan and Deepa Shahi and has been winning hearts since its inception. The show’s characters have gone through many transitions and the storyline is something that the audience has always related with.

Sudhanshu Pandey plays one of the most challenging roles of his career in “Anupamaa”. He is seen as Vanraj Shah in the popular drama, and the audience gets to witness him portray a new emotion or show a new side of him almost every day. Though the actor has been playing the role for almost two years now, he confessed that it is not getting any easier.

“I’ve been playing Vanraj for two years now, but it is not an easy task to play the character even today. Vanraj is not a very straight and simple character, it’s multi-dimensional. And it’s got so many layers and different sides to his character where sometimes he is a very good man, sometimes very difficult, sometimes he’s angry, sometimes jealous, sometimes emotional, sometimes vulnerable, and sometimes he is over-the-top. So with every scene that comes my way I have to strike a balance where I can’t look like a complete villain and I can’t look like a completely positive guy as well,” he said.

“It is never an easy task, but yes, I have got the grip on it and I think I’ve got the hold of it. I’ve done enough hard work on it to be able to get into the scenes very easily. When you’re playing a character like this you keep evolving yourself as an actor and that evolution has helped me in playing this character. I love playing Vanraj, and I guess that is why I’ve been blessed with awards for best acting for two years in a row and that is the biggest reward for me,” he added.

Vanraj is a crucial part of “Anupamaa” as the most important twists and turning points in the show were brought by him. It won’t be wrong to say that he has been the hero of the show since the very beginning. Sharing his thoughts on this, Sudhanshu said, “At the cost of not sounding arrogant or receiving ire from the audience, I would say that Vanraj Shah has been the hero of the show to a great extent. Obviously, because from the very beginning Vanraj was the male protagonist of the show and also, because of the kind of drama that he has created to get people’s attention and their reactions, whether they are negative, or positive, or sympathetic.”

He added, “So, Vanraj has been the hero in terms of the show, but I won’t call him heroic because he doesn’t do anything heroic. He is a very real character like we are in our real lives, sometimes complicated, sometimes with mood swings. We have such phases in our lives where we are full of ego, but then we become better and we calm down, and then again we flare up. So it’s a very real character.”

But would you call him a male-chauvinist? “Vanraj Shah is a male-chauvinist to a certain extent, but I won’t say that he is a complete male-chauvinist because he’s not like that with his daughter or his sister, or his mother, but yes, with his wife he was to a great extent. I wouldn’t say that it was a male-chauvinist kind of behavior, it was more like your job is to take care of the house, and my job is to provide for the family. That is his main contention and argument, so I don’t agree that he’s a complete male-chauvinist, but undoubtedly he is a very complex guy with a complicated personality. He is sometimes acting out of emotions, and out of frustration too, so yes, he does behave badly at times when his ego overpowers him,” he said.

While the character has garnered a lot of attention mostly for his attitude towards his wife, Sudhanshu appreciates one trait of his reel avatar. He said, “The one good thing about Vanraj is that he is completely dedicated to his family and that’s what he lives for. He lives for his family, his parents, and his kids, and that’s what is very beautiful about Vanraj’s character.”

In response to the Mumbai Police exploiting Anupamaa’s image to promote road safety, Sudhanshu speaks out.

For quite some time, Mumbai Police has been capturing hearts with their social media game. People adore how unique and clever the Mumbai Police social media page has developed. They frequently exploit topical themes to educate Indian residents on different critical subjects. And now, Mumbai Police is promoting road safety by using the Star Plus television show “Anupamaa.” A reference image from the television programme “Anupamaa ” was utilised on the Mumbai Police’s social media website to encourage driving safety.

Vanraj is depicted begging with Anupamaa while holding hands. The scene was shot at Silvasa during the separation of Anupama and Vanraj. When your family member intends to walk outside without a helmet, the caption beneath the photo stated. We are proud that Mumbai Police used a reference from our programme “Anupamaa” to promote driving safety. Everyone needs to exercise caution when it comes to road safety, so I’m thrilled that “Anupamaa” is being used to advance this vital cause.

The Mumbai Police are the true superheroes and do an amazing job. Sudhanshu Pandey The actor Sudhanshu Pandey, who performs the role of Vanraj Shah in the programme, was contacted by India Forums. Speaking of the same, Sudhanshu stated, “We are proud that Mumbai Police have utilised our show.” states

Actor Sudhanshu Pandey, who is currently seen in Rajan Shahi’s Anupama, says that he had not imagined the kind of success and popularity TV could give before he became part of the show.

“I had a lot of television offers in the last so many years and I would refuse almost all of them for various reasons. Finally, Rajan’s offer came my way and he basically had to tell me only one line and I told him let’s do it. The show had a fantastic story line. My character was absolutely brilliant and he didn’t have to convince me much. He mentally prepared me for a long time before I got into this scenario of this daily show as it is a completely different world for me,” he says.

He adds, “I have a huge body of work behind me, including some 47-48 feature films in Hindi, some Tamil films and one Hollywood film. I was a part of India’s first-ever boy band i.e the Band of Boys. We were a rage during 2002-2005. We were probably one of the biggest ones. We were seeing popularity on another level. After such a long time, becoming part of a show like Anupama, I realised how incredibly popular television can make you. Obviously, television has a different set of audiences. It’s slightly different from the audiences of the OTT platforms or films. Daily shows have a very loyal and different audience. Stardom and fame that I had got with this show is something that I had not imagined earlier. We are blessed that the show has become so popular today and I can’t thank God enough for the show and the kind of popularity I got after the show.”

TV content has evolved with time, says the actor. “Television was initially women-centric and there is change in the content. But I think the content on Indian television is always going to be targeted at the masses and the middle-class audiences. As it has the largest audience and that’s where the popularity comes from. So, the content has not changed too much or too far,” he says.

In fact, content has become more meaningful, he says, “Definitely, television content has come a bit far from the saas-bahu shows that you used to be there earlier. Now, there is a lot more that television offers in terms of the character and the kind of relationship that you get to see on television. Also, I think a lot of television shows have also started focusing more on social reforms and sending out social messages through entertainment and stuff. That’s why our show Anupama has done so well because we are giving such strong social messages. Especially for the upliftment of middle-class women and women who have been dependent. Telling them that yes, they can be independent as well,” he adds.

The actor says that even men enjoy TV content now. “Television shows have also evolved and it is no longer only meant for just women. It is definitely targeted at a larger audience. Like I said earlier, it is targeted at the middle class which is the largest class where we all belong. That is where the popularity comes from, that is where the money comes from and that’s where advertising comes from. Everything is targeted there. Yes, I would say now the entertainment is for men as well as women equally,” he says, adding, “Essentially most shows have women-centric storylines but obviously male actors have equal prominence. Females are mostly the face of the show and that’s how it works and that’s how they get audiences and the families to get attracted towards the show.”

With rising temperatures, it is very difficult to keep cool or dress fashionably. But Sudhanshu Pandey aka Vanraj of Anupamaa knows to beat the heat. He shares his style mantra.

“This summer has definitely been the hottest. My fashion mantra is to wear nice, comfortable, loose, and airy clothes. I went to Dubai recently and bought a lot of track pants, t-shirts, and nice singlets and that’s what I love to wear with casual shoes,” he says.
 Sudhanshu is also getting ready for crazy Mumbai monsoons. “For monsoon, I have already upgraded my wardrobe. When I step out I’ll be wearing a nice collared formal shirt along with nice jeans and a good belt and shoes. In case I’m stepping out in the rain then obviously I will have my umbrella. Well, Mumbai monsoons are crazy and the only thing that is good for us is that we don’t step out in the rain too much. We stay at home or shoot. The rest of the time I am in the car so mostly we are saved from the downpour. If I have to step out I will wear nice comfortable slippers so that shoes don’t get spoiled,” adds the actor.

 Ask if he has been shopping enough this time since the last two monsoons were mostly spent at home due to the pandemic and he says, “Yes, the last time I went to Dubai was six months ago and we did shop a lot because post-Covid this was our first proper outing. So we did a lot of shopping and I think we are going to shop more.” Speaking about the skincare regime that he plans to follow during the monsoons, Sudhanshu adds, “It is very simple—sleep well, drink a lot of water, eat the right food and wash your face twice a day with a good face wash and moisturize. That is all my good old skincare mantra.”

The Friday episode of Rajan and Deepa Shahi’s “Anupamaa” began with Anuj and Anupamaa entering the dance academy while he was humming “Mujhse shaadi karogi“. Samar then shows them the website that he got made for the academy and tells him that they are ready to launch it on Anupamaa’s birthday. Anupamaa is surprised to see Samar taking so much responsibility and gives him a kiss on his forehead. After he leaves to get a few things fixed for the website, Anuj tells Anupamaa that Samar will be fine in a few days. Anupamaa then tells him that she feels Samar has matured before time because of all that he has seen in the family. Anupamaa tells Anuj that people are scared to take the path in which they have got hurt before, she is worried if something like that will happen with Samar. Just then the ring falls off Anupamaa’s hand and they both bend down to pick it up. Anuj then tells her a couple of shayaris that talk about waiting time and saying yes to the proposal. 

Meanwhile, at the Shah abode, Vanraj is worried that clients are not ready to do business with them as Anuj is not a part of the business anymore. Just then Bapuji comes home with a lot of things and Baa asks him what it is for. Samar tells them that it’s for February 18th. Vanraj asks him what is on the 18th to which he tells him that it’s the day he never remembered, it’s Anupamaa’s birthday. Bapuji tells them that he will be celebrating Anupamaa’s birthday at home. Vanraj taunts him that given the circumstances Anuj won’t be able to throw a party for Anupamaa at a hotel. Bapuji tells him a king will always be the king no matter where he is. Bapuji then gets a text from Anupamaa and she asks him to meet her someplace outside. 

Anuj too meets GK, who has brought food for him. Anuj tells him that he has proposed to Anupamaa and GK is happy to hear it. At the same time, Anupamaa tells Bapuji that Anuj has proposed to her and he asks her to say yes. Anupamaa tells him that she knows Anuj won’t change, but she is worried about what if the things that happened in her past affect her decisions in this new relationship. She is afraid she might do injustice to her present relationship because of what Vanraj did to her in the past. She tells him that though this will be her second marriage, it will be Anuj’s first and she feels he deserves a perfect life. Bapuji tells her that nobody’s life is perfect and she needs to accept the imperfection life comes with. He asks her to go ahead with it and he will support her. 

After a while, Anuj and Anupamaa get some messages on the phone and are shocked to see the news. Vanraj, on the other hand, is happy and is heard saying that it is Anupamaa’s birthday gift. Anupamaa tells Anuj that the news is wrong that Anuj was fired from the Kapadia empire. She tells him that Malvika wouldn’t have done it and there is only one person who could have done that. 

Meanwhile, Malvika asks Vanraj if he has given out the news. He says that he was thinking it might be her. He then tells her that it must be Anuj and Anupamaa trying to play the victim card and showing how bad a sister Malvika is. Just then Anupamaa comes there and claps at what all Vanraj just told Malvika. He asks her where she came from. Anupamaa tells him that she came from the front door unlike him who opts to choose the back door always. 

In the upcoming episodes, we will see that Anupamaa tells Vanraj that he is worried about how Anupamaa and Anuj are still working, how they are still so determined. She calls him by his name and tells him that he should be thankful that she hasn’t stooped to his level yet. Vanraj calls security and asks them to throw her out. Anupamaa tells him that they won’t even touch her because she is Anuj’s Anupamaa and they respect him a lot. She tells Vanraj that that’s what Anuj has earned over the years. To know what happens next, keep watching “Anupamaa”.   

Produced by Rajan Shahi and his mother Deepa Shahi under their banner Shahi Productions Pvt Ltd, “Anupamaa” features Sudhanshu Pandey, Rupali Ganguly, Gaurav Khanna, Aneri Vajani, Madalsa Sharma, Alpana Buch, Arvind Vaidya, Paras Kalnawat, Aashish Mehrotra, Muskan Bamne, Shekhar Shukla, Nidhi Shah, Anagha Bhosale, and Tassnim Sheikh. The show airs on Star Plus.