Sanjeev Bhaskar: From Comedy Breakthrough To The Split Up And A Possible Unforgotten Reunion
Sanjeev Bhaskar is stepping into a new chapter with the BBC’s The Split Up, but for many viewers, he remains best known as DI Sunny Khan from ITV’s Unforgotten.
The actor is now leading the cast of the new six-part legal drama as Dhruv Kishan, patriarch of a prominent family law firm in Manchester. The series premieres on Sunday, September 20, two years after The Split concluded.
Yet The Split Up has also raised the possibility of a reunion that fans of Unforgotten may never have expected — Bhaskar sharing the screen once again with Nicola Walker, who played his former partner DCI Cassie Stuart.
Sanjeev Bhaskar Hopes For A Nicola Walker Reunion
Walker’s departure from Unforgotten five years ago marked the end of one of the show’s most recognisable partnerships. Her character, Cassie Stuart, had worked alongside Bhaskar’s DI Sunny Khan before her exit from the ITV crime drama.
Now that Bhaskar has entered The Split universe, the actor has been asked whether the connection could eventually create an opportunity for him and Walker to reunite on screen.
His answer was enthusiastic.
Speaking to Radio Times, Bhaskar said: “Emotionally, it would be like some sort of cosmic miracle. I wouldn’t mind it at all.”
For now, there is no confirmed crossover involving Walker and The Split Up. But Bhaskar’s comments show that the idea is one he would welcome.
A New Role In The Split Up
Bhaskar now takes centre stage in The Split Up as Dhruv Kishan, the head of Kishan Law, a high-value family firm serving Manchester’s elite.
The series follows Dhruv and his children as the future of the business becomes increasingly uncertain.
His daughter Aria Kishan, played by The Umbrella Academy star Ritu Arya, is preparing to take over the firm. However, the death of her mother prompts Dhruv to reconsider whether Aria is ready for the responsibility.
Aria’s personal life is also becoming complicated. Her relationship with Neal, played by Danny Ashok, is tested when Luke, portrayed by Dimitri Leonidas, enters her professional and personal world.
The cast also includes Aysha Kala and Arian Nik as Aria’s siblings, Maya and Kav, alongside Mawaan Rizwan, Sindhu Vee, Shalini Peiris and Tom Forbes.
From Marketing To Television
Bhaskar’s career did not begin in acting.
Born in Ealing in 1963, he is the son of parents who left India following the 1947 Partition and settled in Britain.
He studied business and marketing at Hatfield Polytechnic before initially pursuing a career in marketing. It was not until his early 30s that he moved into entertainment.
His breakthrough came through the musical comedy duo Secret Asians, which he formed with musician Nitin Sawhney. That work eventually helped lead to the BBC sketch comedy series Goodness Gracious Me.
The programme became an important part of Bhaskar’s career and established him as a prominent comedy performer before he moved increasingly into acting and drama.
His Marriage To Meera Syal
Away from the screen, Bhaskar has been married to fellow actor, comedian and writer Dame Meera Syal.
The pair first met through Goodness Gracious Me, which Syal co-created, and later worked together again on The Kumars at No. 42. Syal famously played the grandmother of Bhaskar’s character on the sitcom, despite being younger than him.
They married in 2005. Bhaskar became stepfather to Syal’s daughter Milli from a previous relationship, and the couple later welcomed their son Shaan.
Syal has built an acclaimed career of her own across television, film, comedy and literature. In 2023, she received the BAFTA Fellowship, BAFTA’s highest honour for an exceptional contribution to film, games or television.
Bhaskar has previously spoken about how proud he is of his wife’s achievements.
A Career Spanning Comedy And Drama
Bhaskar’s career has now stretched across almost three decades, encompassing comedy, writing and dramatic roles.
His portrayal of DI Sunny Khan in Unforgotten became one of his most prominent television roles, while The Split Up gives him the opportunity to lead another major BBC drama.
He is also part of the cast of Ruben Östlund’s The Entertainment System Is Down, a film featuring an ensemble that includes Keanu Reeves, Kirsten Dunst, Samantha Morton, Tobias Menzies and Connor Swindells. Bhaskar is listed among the film’s cast.
The film is set around passengers on a long-haul flight whose entertainment system fails, forcing them to confront the prospect of being trapped together without their usual distractions.
What Comes Next For Sanjeev Bhaskar?
With The Split Up moving Bhaskar into a new leading role, the actor is continuing to balance comedy, drama and film.
For Unforgotten viewers, however, his comments about Nicola Walker may be just as intriguing as his new role.
After years of seeing Bhaskar and Walker as Sunny and Cassie, the possibility of the two actors sharing a screen again — even in a completely different story — is one Bhaskar himself clearly finds appealing.
The Split Up premieres on BBC One on Sunday, September 20, at 9pm, with the series also available on BBC iPlayer.