Gaurav M Sharma quits Jhanak' I don't want to play a 50-Year-Old'

Actor Gaurav M Sharma has decided to step away from Jhanak, the Star Plus drama, soon after its storyline introduced a significant 20-year time leap. This narrative change would have required Sharma to portray a character in his 50s—an age portrayal he felt was not suitable for him at this stage in his career.

Speaking about his exit, Gaurav explained the reason behind his decision. "Jhanak has taken a 20-year leap, and I wouldn’t want to play a 50-year-old guy. I had previously left Anupamaa for a similar reason,” he shared in an official statement.

This isn’t the first time Sharma has chosen to leave a series when faced with the prospect of portraying an older character. Earlier, he had exited the hit show Anupamaa under comparable circumstances, where an advancing timeline would have aged his character beyond his preference.

Time leaps are a common storytelling device in television dramas like Jhanak, designed to refresh the narrative and introduce new generations of characters. However, for actors like Sharma, portraying characters that are much older than their real age can pose creative challenges. Such shifts can affect both the believability of on-screen relationships and future casting options.

Sharma had joined the cast of Jhanak only about a month ago, playing a key role in the pre-leap episodes. His character was originally intended to serve as a narrative bridge into the post-leap storyline. However, the show’s creative team ultimately decided to phase his role out as the focus moved toward younger characters and fresh plotlines.

Jhanak has taken a 20-year leap, and I wouldn’t want to play a 50-year-old guy. I had previously left Anupamaa for a similar reason

- Gaurav Sharma

Reports suggest that the upcoming episodes will now spotlight Riya Sharma and Arijit Taneja as the new leads. The storyline will explore the next chapter of Jhanak, shifting away from the earlier characters and dynamics that Sharma had been part of.

Industry insiders note that Sharma’s decision reflects a broader challenge for TV actors: agreeing to major time leaps can risk misaligning their screen image and impact the kinds of roles they are offered moving forward. By choosing to leave, Sharma signals his commitment to maintaining roles that align with his age and professional goals.

Producers of Jhanak have reportedly supported Sharma’s choice and are adjusting the storyline to accommodate his exit.

As Jhanak moves ahead with a refreshed cast and storyline, fans of Sharma are keen to see where his career takes him next—ideally in projects that allow him to stay true to his artistic comfort zone.