Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Anant Joshi on Backlash and Taking Over Gullak’s Anu Bhaiya
Anant Joshi took over the role of Anu Bhaiya in the fifth season of Gullak.
Vaibhav Raj Gupta had played the character in the first four seasons.
Joshi said he felt nervous because many viewers loved Gupta’s version.
When the trailer came out, some people criticised the casting change, and it upset him.
After the season was released, he said many viewers welcomed him and some even apologised for their earlier comments.
Joshi wanted to bring his own experiences to the character rather than copy the previous performance.
He also spoke warmly about working with Helly Shah in Gullak and Chumbak.
He said streaming shows have created more opportunities for actors and storytellers.
He said the cast will return for Gullak Season 6.
Anant Joshi said he felt nervous about replacing Vaibhav Raj Gupta as Anu Bhaiya in Gullak Season 5.
Joshi said the trailer drew backlash that made him question his decision to take the role.
He said audience reactions became positive after the season premiered, and viewers sent messages apologising for their initial response.
Joshi said he and Helly Shah became close friends while working together on Gullak and Chumbak, where they play very different characters.
He praised director Aatish Kapadia and said OTT has opened more opportunities for character actors, writers and storytellers.
- Who
- Actor Anant Joshi, who plays Anu Bhaiya in Gullak Season 5, discussed the role and his work with Helly Shah.
- What
- Joshi spoke about replacing Vaibhav Raj Gupta, the audience response, Gullak Season 6, Chumbak and OTT opportunities.
- When
- In an interview with NDTV; no interview date is stated.
- Where
- The interview was with NDTV; no location is stated.
- Why
- Joshi discussed his experience taking on a popular role and his views on changing opportunities for actors in the OTT space.
Initial casting concerns
Joshi’s approach and later reception
Replacing a familiar performance
Initial casting concerns
Some viewers reacted negatively to the trailer because they missed Vaibhav Raj Gupta as Anu Bhaiya, Joshi said.
Joshi’s approach and later reception
Joshi said he chose to bring his own lived experiences to the role rather than imitate Gupta.
Audience response after release
Initial casting concerns
The initial backlash made Joshi question whether accepting the role had been the right choice.
Joshi’s approach and later reception
He said reactions flipped after the season premiered, and messages from viewers made him feel welcomed and reassured.
- Show and season
- Gullak Season 5
- Character
- Anu Bhaiya
- Previous actor
- Vaibhav Raj Gupta played the character for four seasons.
- Trailer response
- Joshi said the trailer drew backlash and affected him.
- Later audience response
- Joshi said reactions changed after the season premiered and viewers sent apologetic messages.
- Upcoming season
- Joshi said the cast will return for Gullak Season 6.
- Other project discussed
- Chumbak, in which Joshi and Helly Shah also appear.