Mumbai, May 23, 2025: Sony SAB’s Tenali Rama continues to keep audiences hooked with its exciting twists, layered characters, and gripping tales of the Vijayanagar empire. Now, the show takes a thrilling new turn with the entry of Ankit Bhardwaj in a game-changing role, that of Anantayya, a charming young man whose dark intentions unfold slowly, but shockingly.

Anantayya, the son of the respected General Raghavan (Pradeep Soni) , is every bit the embodiment of grace, intelligence, and strength. Polished in his demeanor and noble in appearance, he wins hearts effortlessly — especially Dharani’s (Mrunali Shirke) . But behind the charm lies a far more complex truth.

As Anantayya steps into the world of Tenali Rama, he brings with him a shadow — a layered persona driven by ambition, secrecy, and a thirst for power. What begins as a tender romance slowly reveals hints of something darker, as his words begin to carry weight, his actions a chill. Ankit Bhardwaj masterfully portrays this duality — balancing tenderness with tension, warmth with calculated intent. His entry marks a turning point in the story, where alliances blur and the true cost of trust begins to unfold.

Ankit Bharadwaj, playing the role of Anantayya said, “Anantayya is one of those rare characters who walks a fine line between being loved and feared. What attracted me the most was his unpredictability, he appears gentle, romantic, and composed, but underneath that charm is a mind full of ambition and darkness. Playing a villain who doesn’t look like one is both challenging and exciting. It pushes you to perform with restraint, to say more with your eyes than your words, and Anantayya gave me that chance, it’s going to surprise them.”