‘Ye badi khaas cheez hai mere liye; Jo Anupamaa mein mere father ka role play karte the…': Inside actor Sudhanshu Pandey's home

Indian Express

08-07-2025

Actor Sudhanshu Pandey, best known as Vanraj from Anupamaa, gave a tour of his Mumbai home, and what unfolded was a heartfelt walkthrough of a space that balances luxury with spiritual grounding.
The home opens into a quiet, thoughtful foyer. 'Yeh area isliye banaya gaya hai… do Maharaja chairs isliye lagayi gayi hain kyunki yeh ek secluded sa area hai,' he explains. It serves as a semi-private zone for guests who want a quick chat away from the party. But it's also spiritual. 'Aate jaate Bappa ki ek badi pyaari si murti nazar aati hai. It's a reminder — Bappa ka aashirwad hai. It's a very good vibe.'
Sudhanshu's bar cabinet is as elegant as it is functional, even if he rarely drinks. 'Fitness mere liye obsession hai… lekin jab log ghar aate hain, unko drinks toh offer karna padta hai.' The cabinet holds everything from wine glasses to whisky tumblers, and the space naturally becomes a hub. '10 log bhi ho, toh sab yahaan ikattha ho jaate hain… achhe conversations hoti hain.'
Just steps away sits a black piano, placed thoughtfully in a corner. 'Mere bade bete aur wife ne kaha piano hona chahiye. Salim Suleiman se poocha, aur yeh piano liya.' For Sudhanshu, a musical instrument in the home changes the vibe completely. 'It's a feel-good thing—it changes the house's energy.'
Pointing to two framed photos of his dogs, Sudhanshu beams: 'Yeh Jack Pandey aur Pepper Pandey hain—hamari aankhon ke taare. Sabse important members of this house.'
The dining space doubles as a conversation zone. 'Khaana khatam ho jaata hai, par baatein nahi.' The table is custom-designed and cleverly transforms into a pool table. 'Kabhi mann kare toh flip karo aur pool khel lo!' Above it hangs a chandelier that was placed with purpose. 'Lighting ka bhi khaas dhyaan diya gaya tha.'
Sudhanshu showcases a water-art piece given to him by actor Arvind Vaidya (his on-screen father in Anupamaa). 'Ye badi khaas cheez hai mere liye. Vaise toh ye mandir nahi hai but ye jo art piece hai mujhe mere ek bahaut hi khaas mere bapu ji hai unhone mujhe gift kiya tha. Jo anupama mein mere father ka role play karte the, Arvind uncle, unhone mujhe gift diya tha,' he said. 'Ismein continuous abhishek hota rehta hai… ek fountain jaise. It's very positive.'
The living room is simple yet elegant. 'Maine ghar ko minimalist rakha hai… heavy furniture nahi chahiye tha. Ghar spacious lagna chahiye.' Most conversations happen here, he says. To balance out the whites, he introduced pops of pink through custom chandeliers and matching Maharaja chairs. 'Pink adds a lot of life… It's the colour of love.'
A small deck area sits just outside. 'Jab December–January ka mausam hota hai… breezy hota hai, toh wahaan baithna bahut achha lagta hai.'
Sudhanshu moved into this home in December 2018. '2017 mein ghar lena start kiya… 2018 December mein shift hua. Interiors 6 mahine mein done ho gaye.' Unlike most, he didn't take a year. 'Kaafi breaking aur changes kiye. Maharaja chairs thodi fancy thi, but they changed the feel of the house.'
The theatre room is also his office. 'Zoom calls, meetings sab yahaan hote hain. Yahaan Bajrangbali aur Nataraj bhi hain.' Behind him sits a projector and shelves lined with awards. 'Pichle 3-4 saal ke trophies hain. ITA Best Actor do saal mila… Mid-Day Showbiz… Dadasaheb Phalke. Yeh sab mujhe yaad dilate hain ki main theek-thaak kaam kar raha hoon.'