Vijay Kapoor was a New Amsterdam favorite whose exit was hard felt, but the reason for his series resignation is even more upsetting.

Summary

• Anupam Kher, who played Vijay Kapoor in New Amsterdam, left the show due to a personal tragedy - his wife's diagnosis of blood cancer.
• Kher expressed optimism and gratitude for the medical system and received an outpouring of support from fans and celebrities.
• Vijay Kapoor's departure from the show was written as his resignation due to a severe case of COVID-19, and he ultimately succumbed to complications from the virus.

Anupam Kher, the actor who played New Amsterdam's Head of Neurology, Vijay Kapoor, left the series suddenly, and fans have wondered about the reason behind the Dr. Kapoor New Amsterdam exit. The actor and character's departure was as heartbreaking as it was shocking and culminated in the NBC medical drama's season 3 episode "Essential Workers." Kher was a series regular since the show first aired in 2018, and he quickly became a staple favorite among the New Amsterdam Medical Center's staff.

Fans of the series were quick to get attached to New Amsterdam's personable characters with Vijay Kapoor being no exception. Kapoor's endearing yet often comical nature grounded the significantly heavy matters New Amsterdam demonstrated, making Anupam's presence valued and appreciated. However, it was in fact an unfortunate heavy matter that caused Anupam Kher to unexpectedly leave New Amsterdam and for Vijay Kapoor to be written completely out of the series.

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Vijay Kapoor Actor Anupam Kher Left New Amsterdam Because Of Personal Tragedy

According to Entertainment Weekly, Anupam Kher departed from the series to be by his wife after she was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer called multiple myeloma. Despite the terrible news, Kher was recorded to have given a largely optimistic statement to the Hindustan News of his appreciation for the medical system and his hope for his wife, Kirron Kher, in her process of recovery. His 2021 statement to one of India's leading newspapers received an outcry of support from concerned fans and celebrities alike.

Anupam Kher's optimism paid off greatly though, as it seems Kirron Kher has recovered from her diagnosis. In a more recent statement, The Indian Express documented Anupam Kher remarking,

"For me, it (Kirron's recovery) is the biggest relief. Touchwood, her cancer is in remission. She has started work again in Chandigarh. She was a judge on India's Got Talent. The human spirit is much stronger than any other thing. Giving up is not an option."

While Anupam Kher was greatly missed after his season 3 exit from New Amsterdam, it is better to know that he was able to be by his wife during uncertain times and consequently see Kirron healthier in recovery.

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What Happened To Vijay Kapoor In New Amsterdam?

In order to accommodate Anupam Kher's sudden departure from the series, New Amsterdam had to write in Vijay Kapoor's resignation from the New Amsterdam Medical Center. In true New Amsterdam fashion, Vijay Kapoor's exit did not come lightly - as the character quickly contracted a severe case of COVID-19 that almost cost him his life. Vijay Kapoor recovered from the illness momentarily, but he sent in his resignation as a result of his health crisis.

It seems that Anupam Kher's personal life scare meant that there was no chance of a Vijay Kapoor revival either; at the end of season 3 episode "Essential Workers," Kapoor succumbed to COVID complications. New Amsterdamwas canceled a few seasons after the loss of Vijay Kapoor, but his death resonated painfully throughout the remainder of the series.

What Anupam Kher Said About Leaving New Amsterdam

While so many sudden actor and character exits from TV shows are often due to creative differences and end up with bitter people on both sides, that wasn't the case with Anupam Kher. The actor couldn't have had more positive things to say about New Amsterdam. Just two weeks after Dr. Kapoor was written out of the show, Kher posted this statement to social media (via TV Insider):

“This past year has been difficult for so many people around the world, not least for Dr. Kapoor. It was an incredibly special time for me to be part of this show and one I will never forget. The New Amsterdam family will always hold a special place in my heart. I am grateful to the audience for their love, support, and good wishes, particularly for my wife, Kirron, at this time. I hope you all will continue to join me on my journey and future projects.”

In the event that New Amsterdam gets revived in years' time, there are still ways Kher can return, be it as a prequel or through flashbacks. Kher played a fan-favorite character on the show whose exit wasn't due to falling outs or scheduling conflicts. No bridges were burned, and in that respect, Kher should be the first on the call sheet for a revival series. Kher's departure from the show could have had a hand in New Amsterdam's decreasing ratings in the following seasons too, so his return in a legacy season of New Amsterdam could be successful.

• New Amsterdam

  Cast:

  Ryan Eggold, Jocko Sims

  Release Date:

  2018-09-25

  Seasons:

  5

  Genres:

  Medical, Drama

  Network:

  NBC

  Streaming Service(s):

  Netflix, Peacock

  Directors:

  Peter Horton

  Season List:

  New Amsterdam - Season 1, New Amsterdam - Season 2, New Amsterdam - Season 3, New Amsterdam - Season 4, New Amsterdam - Season 5