Anupam Kher exits 'New Amsterdam' for his cancer-stricken wife?
Anupam Kher isn't returning as Dr. Vijay Kapoor on the American medical drama New Amsterdam, Deadline has reported. The veteran actor was a series regular since the NBC show's inception in 2018. The news comes after Tuesday's episode showed Dr. Kapoor tendering his resignation at Bellevue Hospital. While Kher hasn't made it official, rumors suggest that it might be because of wife Kirron Kher's cancer.
The show began airing its third season in March. Taking a page out of real life, Bellevue Hospital doctors were also seen grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Many medicos of the hospital, including Dr. Kapoor, had contracted the disease. In a recent episode, while the entire hospital awaits Dr. Kapoor's return after defeating COVID-19, they soon get to know that he has resigned.
As soon as the episode aired, fans were understandably upset. One fan wrote: "We went from begging yall not to kill Dr. Kapoor off the show to him resigning...We need Dr. Kapor backkkkkkkk (sic)." Another Twitter user requested makers to bring Dr. Kapoor back at least by the end of the season. Soon reports confirmed that this goodbye was a final one.
I rebuke this development. Somebody needs to go to Dr. Kapoor’s house or something. 😑#NewAmsterdam pic.twitter.com/BvqwjITZc3
— It don’t MATTER what my name is! (@lbrass3) April 14, 2021
Kher bowing out of New Amsterdam has happened days after he released a joint statement with son Sikandar to confirm that his wife had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Informing that the actress-BJP MP was "well on her way to recovery," the statement said, "Keep sending your love to her in your prayers and in your heart (sic)."
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) April 1, 2021
Starring Ryan Eggold (Dr. Max Goodwin), New Amsterdam has been created by taking inspiration from Dr. Eric Manheimer's memoir called the Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital. The book details the doctor's experience as a medical director at the hospital for 15 years. Apart from Eggold and Kher, the main cast comprises Janet Montgomery, Freema Agyeman, Tyler Labine, and Jocko Sims.
