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Sudhanshu Pandey Says He Was Offered A Role Against A Compromise By A Renowned Filmmaker: 'He Is No More'
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Sudhanshu Pandey opens up about experiencing casting couch early in his career, saying a renowned late filmmaker offered him a role in exchange for sexual favours.
Actor Sudhanshu Pandey, best known for his successful stint on Anupamaa and current participation in The Traitors, recently shared some frank insights in an interview with Gallata India. A seasoned performer across films, TV, and music videos, Sudhanshu revealed that he, too, has faced the casting couch in Bollywood.
He candidly opened up. He said, 'Yes, I have faced the casting couch. I have been offered work as a barter by a very renowned filmmaker who is now no more. God bless his soul, he was one of the greatest filmmakers. I was offered the role against a compromise."
But he made it clear he holds no ill will toward the person. He said, 'I have nothing against them, I feel they are proposing a certain scenario to you – accepting or not is on you. I never worked to feed anyone's ego; whenever I said it wasn't okay with me, I refused politely. If anyone misbehaves, I might slap them. If they are made a certain way, I have no right to criticize them. If anyone forces me, then I can get very angry. It is normal for every man, and they should stand up for what is right."
On the reality front, the actor—who has appeared in music videos, TV shows, and films—has taken on his first unscripted project with The Traitors. While weighing his options, Sudhanshu confirmed he had explicitly declined a Bigg Boss-style format. Once he understood the vision behind The Traitors, he decided the show suited him.
Sudhanshu Pandey has worked in films, TV shows, and even music. He started his career as a singer in India's first boy band, A Band of Boys. Later, he acted in movies like Singh Is Kinng, Dus Kahaniyaan, and even a Jackie Chan film, The Myth. On TV, he became very popular for his role as Vanraj in the hit show Anupamaa. He has also done web series like The Empire, and recently appeared on the reality show The Traitors.
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