Amitabh Bachchan captivated audiences in the 1999 Hindi family drama, Sooryavansham, where he portrayed dual roles—Bhanu Pratap Singh, a strict father, and his son, Heera, who struggles to prove his worth due to his lack of formal education. Despite its initial lackluster performance at the box office, the film has since become a cult classic. Alongside Amitabh’s stellar performance, a young boy in the film also won many hearts with his memorable scenes.
Who is Aanand Vardhan, the Child Actor from Sooryavansham?
Aanand Vardhan played the role of ‘Chhote Thakur Bhanupratap Singh,’ the son of Heera Thakur and his wife Radha, in Sooryavansham. Known in the film as ‘Sonu,’ he gained widespread recognition for his portrayal. In real life, this young actor’s name is Aanand Vardhan, who also appeared in the Telugu version of the film, Suryavamsam, released in 1997.
Aanand Vardhan Reflects on His Experience Working with Amitabh Bachchan
In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, Aanand shared his memories of working on Sooryavansham. He revealed that although he didn’t initially speak Hindi, Amitabh Bachchan personally requested him for the role after watching the Telugu version of the film. Aanand fondly recalled his first day on set, amazed by Amitabh’s towering presence and how the legendary actor guided him through the nuances of Hindi dialogue delivery.
“The makers tried a few child artists from the North initially. But they didn’t seem suitable. Meanwhile, Sooryavansham’s shoot had started. Amitabh sir then watched the Telugu version and he insisted that he wanted me on board. That’s how I came into the picture.”
The Lasting Impact of the ‘Zeher Waali Kheer’ Scene
One of the most iconic scenes in Sooryavansham features Sonu serving poisonous kheer to his on-screen grandfather, a scene that has since become a popular meme.
Aanand humorously remarked how the scene has remained ingrained in people’s memories, often referenced in everyday conversations and social media.
“I had good grasping power. I had memorised all the dialogues. Mr Bachchan helped with subtle aspects since it was a Hindi film. Hence, there was a slight change in the dialogue delivery. He used to observe my shots and correct me, in case I faltered. My first day of shooting was when we shot the elephant scene. I was called at around 7 in the morning. I didn’t know who Amitabh Bachchan was as I didn’t know Hindi and hence, had not seen his films! My family, however, was elated and was jumping with joy. I remember I was amazed to see that he was 6 feet tall (laughs). As years passed, I realised the greatness of working with him and I cherish the experience.”
“Yes, and there’s also a meme that ‘IPL is over; ab Sooryavansham wapis lagao’ (laughs)! It’s so funny actually. Wherever there is a situation for it, people just comment ‘isko zeher waali kheer khila do’! And they put my picture of feeding the kheer to Amitabh sir. Hence, it is very funny. It’s amazing people have memorised the film and still remember that scene so well. To be in their memories for such a long time and that too in a very funny and healthy way feels great. I have the confidence that if I get interested in working in Bollywood, I can simply say ‘I am the baccha that gives zeher waali kheer’. I am sure filmmakers would immediately recognise me (laughs)!”
Aanand Vardhan’s Personal Life and Educational Background
Aanand Vardhan, the grandson of renowned playback singer PB Srinivas, pursued a Bachelor of Technology degree in Computer Science and Engineering from CMR College of Engineering & Technology in Hyderabad, Telangana, graduating in 2012. Although acting was a passion encouraged by his grandfather, Aanand is also an avid social media user, sharing glimpses of his travels and personal life with his followers.
Aanand Vardhan’s Career and Upcoming Projects
Aanand started his acting journey as a child, portraying ‘Bala Hanuman’ and ‘Valmiki’ in the 1994 film Ramayanam before making his Telugu debut in Priyaragalu in 1997, a role that earned him the Nandi Award for Best Child Actor. He has since appeared in several successful Telugu films, including Manasantha Nuvve and Preminchukundam Raa, alongside prominent actors like Jagapati Babu and Venkatesh.
“I don’t have any language barrier. For me, cinema is more about the story, performances etc. than the language. Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam are all the same for me. It’ll be a great opportunity if I get a chance to work in Bollywood. Right now, I am doing a Telugu film as a lead, titled Nidurinchu Jahapana. It has a unique story and I have an author-backed role. Hence, I am hoping that I should make some noise!”
Now, after a 12-year hiatus, Aanand is set to make his comeback as the lead actor in the Telugu film Nidurinchu Jahapana. Excited about his return to the silver screen, Aanand shared his enthusiasm for acting across various languages, emphasizing that for him, the story and performance matter more than the language itself.
We eagerly await Aanand Vardhan’s return to the big screen. What about you? Share your thoughts!
