While many TV shoots have relocated out of Mumbai due to restrictions in the state, the makers of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah are yet to shift base. Meanwhile, there have been rumours of Dayaben aka Disha Vakani’s return to the show. There has also been speculation about Popatlal’s (Shyam Pathak) marriage track and why Natukaka has gone missing for such a long time. We spoke to producer Asit Kumarr Modi who said, "We have a bank of episodes, so we have not relocated to another city. But, now we are planning to shift and will finalise soon. Relocating with the entire team is not easy during the Coronavirus pandemic. So, it is a decision that we will have to take carefully."

The show has been running for 13 years now, and Natukaka, Dayaben and Popatlal are some of the important characters. Talking about the ongoing buzz, Modi said, “We will surely get Natukaka back, but currently he should stay at home. He is a senior citizen and has just recovered from his illness. Similarly, Popatlal’s marriage is important, but it will have to wait in the current circumstances."

Ask him about Dayaben and he said, “I feel I should become Dayaben now! The question of her return has been going on for many years now. We are still waiting for her to come back, and if she expresses her desire to quit, the show will go on with a new Daya. But, right now I don’t feel Daya’s return or Popatlal’s wedding is important. In the pandemic, there are more serious issues and I feel all those matters can wait. We have to think of safety protocols and continue shooting so that livelihoods are not affected. Also, the bio-bubble format is quite effective, and if we get permission for it, I would like to work in that format.”