If you do not enjoy the character, it becomes taxing: Actor Sudhanshu Pandey shares on playing Vanraj

Bringing one of television’s beloved characters closer to fans, Disney+ Hotstar is set to release a prequel of the popular running television series, Anupamaa. Celebrating the spirit and resilience of women, the new series, Hotstar Specials presents Anupama – Namaste America, created exclusively for the streaming platform, will offer viewers a closer look at Anupamaa’s life a few years into her marriage. The 11-episode prelude to the television series will see Rupali Ganguly, who plays the lead character on television, reprise her popular role along with Sudhanshu Pandey, who plays her husband, Vanraj Shah. The two will be seen recreating their bittersweet chemistry in the prequel. Sudhanshu Pandey, a celebrated name in the Indian television and film industry, shared how Vanraj’s character helped him explore different facets of masculinity.

Sharing his experience, actor Sudhanshu Pandey said, “One of the biggest differences between acting for OTT and television is that, for television, you play a character for a very long time. If you do not enjoy the character, then it becomes very taxing. I feel grateful that I was given a character like Vanraj, who has so many shades and layers. His relationship with every single character reveals a different side to him, which is unique. It allowed me to explore multiple aspects of masculinity in each episode. In Anupama - Namaste America, viewers will see the formative years of Vanraj’s character and am sure that they will enjoy him.” 

Anupamaa launched in July 2020 for television, is a running series that has already aired over 500 episodes that are available on both Star Plus and Disney+ Hotstar. However, the episodes of the prequel, released over 11 days, will remain exclusively on the platform and not be aired on television. The original cast of the television has been retained for the prequel and will see  Sudhanshu Pandey as Anupama’s husband Vanraj along with Alpana Buch, Arvind Vaidya, Paras Kalnwat, Ashish Mehrotra and Ekta Sariya reprising the roles of Baa, Bapuji, Samar, Toshi and Dolly respectively. Hotstar Specials presents Anupama- Namaste America and will also introduce a brand-new character from Anupamaa’s early years, Moti Baa played by veteran television actor Sarita Joshi. This special character will play a pivotal role in forming Anupamaa’s early life as an aspiring dancer.