Sudhanshu Pandey on reality show abuse: 'Girls abusing more than boys, we're ruined'
Synopsis
Sudhanshu Pandey, the face of Anupamaa’s Vanraj Shah, has gone on record against the glorification of abusive language on reality shows — singling out an unnamed senior actress and warning that platforms chasing numbers are actively ruining societal values. His remarks reignite a long-simmering debate about where entertainment ends and cultural damage begins.
Key Takeaways
Sudhanshu Pandey publicly criticised the normalisation of abusive language on reality shows and OTT platforms during a live social media session.
He said he was shocked by clips from an unnamed OTT reality show where contestants openly abused each other.
Pandey remarked that ‘girls are abusing even more than boys’ and that the ‘cool quotient has been completely misunderstood.’ Without naming anyone, he called out the wife of a senior actor for openly using abusive language on screen.
He appealed to television channels and OTT platforms to stop producing such content, linking it to a rise in hate and real-world violence.
Pandey is best known for playing Vanraj Shah in Anupamaa and has over two decades of association with music.
Actor Sudhanshu Pandey, best known for playing Vanraj Shah in the long-running television drama Anupamaa, has raised sharp concerns about the normalisation of abusive language on reality shows and OTT platforms, warning that society risks being ‘completely ruined’ if such content continues to be celebrated.
What Triggered the Outburst
Pandey said he does not regularly watch reality shows, but recently came across clips from one streaming on an OTT platform that left him disturbed. “Everyone was openly abusing each other. Sometimes I am surprised that these days girls are abusing more than necessary, even more than boys. I feel the cool quotient has been completely misunderstood,” he said during a live session on social media.
The actor also took aim at what he described as a broader cultural shift visible on Instagram, where content he finds ‘cringe-worthy’ is increasingly rewarded with likes and engagement. “Is our country’s mentality changing so much? I won’t say only the new generation has changed. Maybe the last two generations have also changed a lot,” he added.
A Senior Star’s Wife Called Out — Without Being Named
Without identifying anyone by name, Pandey pointed to a senior personality from the entertainment industry, saying even established figures are openly using abusive language on screen. “Although a wife of a very senior actor and is a star in the industry, who is a part of the show as well, she is also openly abusing others. What kind of example are we setting for the world?” he questioned.
The unnamed reference is likely to spark speculation within industry circles, though Pandey stopped short of making any direct identification.
The Broader Warning: Words, Hate, and Violence
Pandey linked the growing acceptance of on-screen abusive behaviour to a rise in real-world hate and violence, stressing the power of language. “Words have a lot of power. Your two words can change someone’s life. We should always try to speak positively and responsibly because our words carry energy,” he said.
He also called out the economics driving such content, arguing that platforms and channels are prioritising numbers over responsibility. “Today, all they seem to want are numbers. To get those numbers, they are creating such content and even big stars are hosting these shows and supporting people who do nothing except abuse and insult others,” Pandey said.
A Direct Appeal to Channels and OTT Platforms
Pandey concluded with a direct request to broadcasters and streaming services: “I would like to request television channels and OTT platforms to stop creating such content in the name of reality shows.” He added that if abusing and insulting others has become the only way to gain visibility, “then I feel, as a society, we are completely ruined.”
This is not the first time a veteran television actor has flagged concerns about content quality on reality formats — the debate over shock-value entertainment versus responsible programming has resurfaced periodically, particularly as OTT platforms compete aggressively for audience share. Pandey’s remarks add a notable voice to that ongoing conversation, given his two-decade standing in both acting and music.
Point of View
But the structural problem he identifies is real: OTT platforms and channels are incentivised by engagement metrics that reward provocation over substance. The fact that established stars are participating — and that the unnamed senior actress reference will generate its own speculation — shows how deeply the economics of shock content have penetrated even legacy entertainment. What’s missing from the conversation is accountability: there is no regulatory framework that meaningfully penalises abusive content on OTT, and self-regulation has a poor track record. Pandey’s appeal to channels is well-intentioned, but without structural pressure, it is unlikely to move the needle.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sudhanshu Pandey say about reality shows?
Sudhanshu Pandey criticised the open use of abusive language on reality shows and OTT platforms, saying such content is normalising harmful behaviour. He warned that if abusing and insulting others becomes the primary way to gain attention, society is ‘completely ruined.’
Who is Sudhanshu Pandey?
Sudhanshu Pandey is a veteran Indian actor best known for playing Vanraj Shah in the popular television drama Anupamaa. He is also a singer with over two decades of association with music.
Did Sudhanshu Pandey name anyone in his criticism?
No. Pandey did not name any individual or show directly. He referred to the wife of a ‘very senior actor’ who is also a star and part of a reality show, but stopped short of identifying her.
What did Pandey say about women and abusive language on reality shows?
Pandey said he was surprised to observe that girls on reality shows are ‘abusing more than necessary, even more than boys,’ and that the concept of what is considered ‘cool’ has been fundamentally misunderstood.
What did Pandey request OTT platforms and TV channels to do?
He appealed directly to television channels and OTT platforms to stop producing abusive content in the name of reality entertainment, arguing that the pursuit of viewership numbers should not come at the cost of social responsibility.
