Sudhanshu Pandey says he faced casting couch in Bollywood: 'I was offered a role against a compromise by a renowned filmmaker'
Anupamaa fame actor Sudhanshu Pandey , currently seen in the reality show The Traitors , has spoken openly about facing the casting couch in the film industry. In a recent interview with Gallata India, the actor shared a personal account of being propositioned early in his career.
“Yes, I have faced the casting couch,” Sudhanshu admitted. “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.”
‘I never worked to feed anyone’s ego’
Despite the experience, Sudhanshu maintained a calm and grounded perspective. “I have nothing against them,” he said. “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.”
The actor added that while he’s always handled such situations with composure, he won’t tolerate forceful behavior. “If anyone misbehaves, I might slap them,” he said. “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.”
From boy band fame to films, TV and now reality
Sudhanshu Pandey began his career as a singer with India’s first boy band, A Band of Boys, before transitioning into acting. He has featured in films like Singh Is Kinng, Dus Kahaniyaan, and Jackie Chan’s The Myth. His portrayal of Vanraj in the hit daily soap Anupamaa made him a household name.
In the digital space, he’s appeared in series like The Empire and is now exploring the world of unscripted entertainment with The Traitors. Sudhanshu revealed that he turned down Bigg Boss-style formats but agreed to The Traitors after understanding its concept and tone.
“Yes, I have faced the casting couch,” Sudhanshu admitted. “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.”
‘I never worked to feed anyone’s ego’
Despite the experience, Sudhanshu maintained a calm and grounded perspective. “I have nothing against them,” he said. “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.”
The actor added that while he’s always handled such situations with composure, he won’t tolerate forceful behavior. “If anyone misbehaves, I might slap them,” he said. “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.”
From boy band fame to films, TV and now reality
Sudhanshu Pandey began his career as a singer with India’s first boy band, A Band of Boys, before transitioning into acting. He has featured in films like Singh Is Kinng, Dus Kahaniyaan, and Jackie Chan’s The Myth. His portrayal of Vanraj in the hit daily soap Anupamaa made him a household name.
In the digital space, he’s appeared in series like The Empire and is now exploring the world of unscripted entertainment with The Traitors. Sudhanshu revealed that he turned down Bigg Boss-style formats but agreed to The Traitors after understanding its concept and tone.
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