Sanam Johar opens up about the emotional impact of Vaibhavi Hankare’s sudden exit from Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin, calling it a bittersweet turn in his journey. He reflects on their bond and acknowledges the unpredictability of the television industry.
Star Plus’ long-running drama Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin recently underwent a major shake-up, both in storyline and casting. The twist saw the sudden exit of Vaibhavi Hankare, who had only joined the show in February as the new female lead. Her departure made way for the return of her predecessor, Bhavika Sharma, marking a significant change in the show’s direction.
Reacting to the unexpected developments, in an exclusive conversation with Downtown Mirror Weekly, actor Sanam Johar, who joined Ghum along with Vaibhavi and Param Singh, shared, “Yes, a lot of surprising changes have happened. Television, as we all know, is an unpredictable medium. I was initially nervous seeing things unfold so quickly, but people around me reminded me that this is quite normal in our industry. There are many contributing factors—like the ongoing IPL season and tough competition from other shows. While the changes came suddenly, I’m learning to embrace them with a positive mindset. After all, is the one thing that never stops.”
Vaibhavi’s departure wasn’t just a professional shift — it left an emotional impact on her co-stars, especially Sanam Johar, who formed a strong bond with her on set. “My acting journey began with Vaibhavi Hankare,” Sanam revealed, adding, “We did the mock shoots and promos together. Most of my scenes — whether romantic, intense, or emotional — were with her. I’ve told her character ‘I love you’ more times than I can even remember! We shared so many emotions on screen, so her exit truly affected me. But I was reminded that this is part and parcel of the television industry.”
Sanam Johar further added, “Sometimes changes are necessary. Ultimately, the show is bigger than any individual, emotion, or role. Whatever happened, happened for the betterment of the show. But on a personal level, I was genuinely saddened. Vaibhavi is not just a sweet and hardworking co-actor—she played a crucial role in my growth. Even though she’s younger than me, she has more experience in acting and was always there to guide and support me in this new phase of my career.”
