Anant Joshi on Replacing Vaibhav Raj Gupta in Gullak 5: “I Hope the Audience Will Remember What I Did Too”

The much-loved slice-of-life drama Gullak returned with its fifth season on Sony LIV on June 5, 2026, but one of the biggest talking points this time isn’t just the Mishra family’s new chapter—it’s the recasting of Annu Mishra. Actor Anant V. Joshi, known for his acclaimed performance in 12th Fail, has stepped into the role previously played by Vaibhav Raj Gupta, sparking emotional reactions from fans online.

Addressing the buzz during a recent press meet, Anant Joshi responded candidly to questions about audience sadness and the recasting conversation. He said, “Well, my take on that—my take is simply that I have had the opportunity to work with a truly amazing team. And I am very happy; I consider myself very lucky. For any actor, it is crucial to have access to a diverse range of audiences. Gullak has a very wide audience base, so for me, I think it is an added advantage to have access to that specific audience. Consequently, I am very excited. I have given my 100% to this project and have performed my work with complete sincerity. And I truly hope that Gullak Season 5 receives just as much love as the previous seasons have.”

When asked about the pressure of stepping into a character already deeply loved by audiences, Anant admitted he didn’t dwell on fear or negativity, but rather focused on gratitude and responsibility. He said, “I honestly hadn't given much thought to the possibility of disappointment. That wasn't really on my mind. Instead, what filled my thoughts—and brought me great joy—was the fact that TVF was placing such immense trust in me by entrusting me with such a pivotal character. So, I think my entire focus shifted toward that aspect. Furthermore, there was a great deal of excitement surrounding the opportunity to work with such a fantastic team. So, there were no fears—certainly no unreasonable fears. And, quite obviously, when an actor has already given their absolute best to a character—as Vaibhav did with his excellent performance—the audience is bound to remember and cherish that portrayal. That goes without saying. Doesn't it? Now, I hope that the audience will be able to remember what I did as well.”

In Gullak Season 5, the Mishra family returns with fresh everyday struggles and emotional moments that continue to define the show’s appeal. Jameel Khan reprises his role as Santosh Mishra, while Geetanjali Kulkarni returns as the sharp yet loving Shanti Mishra. Harsh Mayar continues as Aman Mishra, and Sunita Rajwar and Shivankit Singh Parihar also remain key parts of the storytelling universe.

With nostalgia, curiosity, and debate surrounding the casting change, the new season brings both emotional continuity and fresh interpretation to the Mishra household. For Anant V. Joshi, however, the focus remains simple—earn audience acceptance, one scene at a time.

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