Sudhanshu Pandey Recalls Craze For 'A Band Of Boys': ‘Girls Threw Undergarments At Us'
Sudhanshu Pandey recalls the craze of A Band Of Boys, calling it India's answer to the Backstreet Boys. From sold-out stadiums to wild fan moments, here's what he revealed.
Long before Sudhanshu Pandey became a household name as Vanraj Shah in Anupamaa or stirred the pot in the reality game show The Traitors, he was part of a pop culture phenomenon that sent Indian fans into a frenzy—A Band Of Boys.
In a recent interview with Zoom, the actor-singer looked back at the early 2000s when the all-male pop band—one of India's first—was riding high on the music charts and headlining stadium gigs. 'When A Band Of Boys came, we became a rage," Sudhanshu said. 'We were like competition for the Backstreet Boys, an answer to them from India. Our songs were on the Grammy list."
Pandey was part of the original line-up from 2001 to 2005 and recalled the wild fanfare surrounding their performances. 'We were the first to perform in a stadium, in front of 20,000 to 25,000 people. There were no mobile phones back then. Girls used to throw their undergarments at us," he chuckled, describing the hysteria they experienced at live shows.
After stepping away from the band to pursue his acting career, Sudhanshu recently made a grand return in August 2024, surprising fans with an official announcement that sent nostalgia-loving millennials into overdrive.
In a heartfelt statement, A Band Of Boys shared, 'We are absolutely elated to have Sudhanshu back with us. It's been years since we performed together as a full band, and this reunion has truly brought back the memories of our early days."
Known for chartbusters like Meri Neend, Gori, and Tera Chehra, the band—heavily inspired by The Backstreet Boys—was a pop sensation of its time and remains etched in the memories of early-2000s India.
While his music career has come full circle, Sudhanshu's acting journey also saw a dramatic arc. He starred as the antagonist Vanraj Shah in Anupamaa from its 2020 premiere until his departure in 2024. He recently returned to reality TV with The Traitors, where he impressed viewers with his strategic gameplay and made it to the top 5, only to be evicted minutes before the winner was declared.
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