Ghanshyam Nayak aka Natukaka of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC) resumed shooting for the show on December 10 after recovering from a serious illness. However, after he shot for one episode, many people trolled him for looking weak and remarked that he was trying to hide his illness. Nayak has now responded to all the negativity in an exclusive chat with BT.

He said, “Everybody gets old one day, and people do suffer from illness. I am totally cancer-free now, and my body has responded to the doctor’s treatment. I also shot for TMKOC on December 10 and will continue to be a part of the show. This is all because of God’s blessings and the support of my producer Asit Kumarr Modi and my family.”

Responding to how people had trolled him for looking weak, he said, “Some people are insensitive towards senior actors. I want to urge people not to spread such negativity. If I was not looking the part, my producer would not have cast me. I read somewhere that people also commented on my dressing sense. Those who don’t have any work spread such negativity. I am not affected by it, because I am happy that even at my age, I am working and would like to continue going to the sets as long as my body permits. Just like there are negative people, there are those who have constantly supported me in my journey, and I will be able to do more work and entertain audiences with the humour and laughter along with Jethalal (Dilip Joshi) in the show.”

Nayak added, “My character has found a connect with audiences since 2008 when I joined the show. It is a privilege to essay the role of Natukaka.”