Over the past few years, there has been constant buzz about Dayaben returning to the long-running TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. Disha Vakhani, who played the popular character, quit the show in 2017, and since then viewers have been wondering whether she will return or if a new actress will replace her.

Recently, pictures of Asit Modi, producer of the show, celebrating Raksha Bandhan with Disha went viral, adding to the speculation. When we spoke to Asit about this, he said, “Yes, this is one question people keep asking me. Honestly, I have never said this before, but I will admit that when Disha quit the show in 2017, I was terrified! Along with Jethalal, Daya was my most important character. Her style and diction became popular across the country, so I did not think of replacing her for a very long time.”

Talking about the rapport they share, he said, “Disha and I share a very cordial relationship and there is no bad blood. I would love to work with her again. After she left, I was hoping and praying that she would return. However, she chose to focus on her family life and became a mother. During the pandemic, when she became a mother again, I realized it wouldn’t be easy for her to come back. We are in touch and recently celebrated Raksha Bandhan.”

Asit admitted that the search for a replacement for Dayaben began around 2022–23, adding, “Our show has recently completed 17 years. Ab paani sar ke upar chala gaya hai and it is high time I bring a new Daya to the show.”

Dilip Joshi, who’s best known as Jethalal from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, has addressed rumours surrounding his alleged altercation with the show’s producer Asit Modi. According to reports, the two had a heated argument during which Dilip grabbed Asit by the collar and threatened to quit the show. The incident, which reportedly occurred in August, was said to have been triggered by a leave request.

However, in a statement, Dilip has dismissed the reports. He said, “I just want to clear the air about all these rumours going around.”

Dilip said, “There have been some stories in the media about me and Asit bhai that are completely false, and it really saddens me to see such things being said. Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is a show that means so much to me and millions of fans, and when people spread baseless rumours, it hurts not only us, but also our loyal viewers.”

He added, “It’s disheartening to see negativity being spread about something that has brought so much joy to so many for so many years. Every time such rumours pop up, it feels like we’re constantly explaining that they are untrue. It’s tiring, and it’s frustrating because it’s not just about us — it’s about all the fans who love the show and get upset reading these things.”

The statement further read, “Earlier, there were even rumours about me leaving the show, which is completely false. It’s disappointing to see such things popping up again and again, and sometimes, I can’t help but wonder if some people are just jealous of the show’s continued success. I’m here, I’m working every day with the same love and passion for the show, and I’m not going anywhere.”

In a quick turn of events, Palak Sindhwani who quit Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah a few days ago, has now been replaced by Khushi Mali. Palak played the role of Sonu Bhide for the last 5 years and now Khushi, who was last seen in Sajha Sindoor, is all set to play Sonu in the show.

Asit Kumarr Modi, producer of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, said, "Sonu is a vital part of the Tapu Sena, and her presence has always shown leadership and warmth. Casting Khushi Mali was a careful decision, and we believe she perfectly captures these traits. We are excited to welcome Khushi and will fully support her as she brings this character to life. We hope our audience will give her the same love they have shown to the show and its characters for the past 16 years.”

Khushi, who is a model-turned-actor, said, "Portraying Sonu's role will be interesting because she has many attributes. Also, being a part of Taarak Mehta is a blessing and great opportunity for me. I look forward to connecting with masses through my role."

Meanwhile Palak is embroiled in a legal battle with the makers. She has been issued a notice of breach of contract while the actress has also accused the makers of making her exit from the show difficult. Palak played this role for 5 years. Taarak Mehta is one of the longest running shows on TV. Jethalal aka Dilip Joshi plays the lead role. The show is produced by Asit Kumarr Modi.

In a landmark ruling, the Delhi High Court has issued a John Doe order to safeguard the intellectual property rights of the iconic and most popular Indian sitcom, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. Neela Film Productions Private Limited, the show's producer, successfully argued that the title, format, characters, characterizations, mannerisms, dialogues, and other unique elements of the show are protected under intellectual property law.

The Court's decision comes after Neela Film Productions brought to light the widespread infringement of their rights on various online platforms. The plaintiff identified numerous social media accounts, websites, and YouTube channels that have been illegally using the show's characters, producing animations, Al-generated images, deepfakes, and even pornographic content featuring the beloved characters. Additionally, certain platforms were found to be selling unauthorized merchandise under the guise of the show.

In granting the ex parte and interim injunction, Justice Mini Pushkarna recognized the gravity of the situation, stating that Neela Film Productions had established a prima facie case for the injunction. The Court's order not only restrains known infringers but also extends to John Doe (unknown) defendants who are involved in the illegal activities mentioned.

Mr. Asit Kumarr Modi, the well known producer of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, expressed his relief at the Court's decision, stating, "This show has been a labor of love for everyone involved, and it's disheartening to see our hard work being exploited in such a manner. We are grateful to the Delhi High Court for recognizing the importance of protecting our intellectual property. This order sends a strong message that such infringements will not be tolerated. As the creator of this show, I have always believed in the power of storytelling and the impact it can have on people's lives. This order not only protects our creative efforts but also boosts the morale of everyone involved in the making of the show. It reassures us that our creativity will be respected and safeguarded, allowing us to continue bringing joy to our audience without fear of exploitation."

Mr. Modi further added that, "We've put in significant effort to expand the TMKOC IP into animation, gaming, and merchandise. This Delhi High Court ruling safeguards our rights, bolstering our confidence to push our creative boundaries even further."

Anand & Naik Law Firm represented Neela Film Productions in this matter. Advocate Madhu Gadodia, Managing Partner, Anand & Naik Law Firm commented, "This order is a significant victory for content creators. The Court has upheld the sanctity of intellectual property rights, and this serves as a precedent for future cases of digital infringement."

Advocate Ameet Naik, Managing Partner, Anand & Naik Law Firm stated, "This order is first of its kind for protection against infringement of characters in content be it television shows, web series or films."

The Delhi High Court's ruling marks a crucial step in the ongoing battle against digital piracy and the unauthorised use of intellectual property in India.

TMKOC, as the show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is popularly known as, is a TV sitcom with mindboggling recall value. The show launched in 2008 and has continued for over 3,900 episodes across 15 years. The characters, who are residents of Gokuldham Society—Jethalal Gada played by Dilip Joshi and Atmaram Tukaram Bhide played by Mandar Chandwadkar—have now found their way to social media reels, memes, and more recently, games.

The game, Bhide Scooter Race, has crossed one million downloads on the Google Play store and the Apple app store. Inspired by the obsessive attachment that Bhide has for his vintage, yellow scooter, which he zips off on to deliver achaar-papad that his wife Madhavi makes, the game, says Asit Kumarr Modi, creator-producer-managing director of Neela Film Production, which produces the show, has become more popular among gamers who don’t watch the show regularly.

“Taarak Mehta is like a live action comedy show,” he tells mid-day. “Viewers want to be entertained at all times; what better way than to offer them simple and fun games surrounding well-known characters? It’s a family show that employs simple storytelling. We upgrade the show as the world upgrades,” says Modi, who plans to launch more games in the upcoming months.

A year ago, Neela Mediatech, the gaming and animation studio arm of Neela Films, created online, offline, single-player and multi-player games based on popular characters from the show. “It’s because people turn to TMKOC to bust stress,” says Chandwadkar, as we catch up with him between shoots.

He recalls meeting a pair of brain surgeons at an airport once; they said they watch his show to let off steam after a gruelling day in the OT. “It helps them relax,” the actor who plays a middle-class Maharashtrian tuition teacher, says. “It’s why the game is popular too. Users, especially kids, like the fact that they can now interact with Atmaram.” The combination of the show’s trademark music, iconic touches like Bhide’s scooter, and the show’s catchphrases have been replicated in the game.

While several of the actors have changed over time, Chandwadkar has played the role of the society’s disciplinarian secretary for 16 years. The character, he says, is now an extension of his own person. The scooter has a large fan following among children viewers of the show.

Ask him what his favourite memory of playing the character is, and he recalls how the show’s writer, late Tarak Mehta, was hesitant about the twist he had given to the personality of Bhide. Later, Mehta had told him that Bhide had become his favourite character. “Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chasmah is not a serial anymore. It’s a way of life,” he says.

“Technically, I am living Bhide’s life more than I lead my own. Sometimes, when I return home, I confuse what I’ve said to Sonalika [Joshi, who plays his wife Madhavi] with what I’ve said to my own wife,” he laughs. “TMKOC is family now.” The Gokuldham society gang also celebrates festivals together.

The studio also has games based on other central characters, including Run Jetha Run, Hungry Goli, and Daya’s Match Pool. Collectively, the games have achieved the five million download mark.

Shailesh Lodha, who played Taarak Mehta in the TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC) for 14 years, has won the lawsuit that he filed against producer Asit Kumarr Modi for not clearing his dues. The verdict came out in May and as per the settlement terms, a sum of 1,05,84,000 has been paid to the actor. Shailesh quit TMKOC in April 2022 and earlier this year, he approached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for the clearance of his yearlong dues.

When we reached out to Shailesh, the actor said he was happy with the verdict and grateful to the NCLT. “This fight was never about the money. It was about seeking justice and self-respect. I feel like I have won a battle and I’m happy that the truth has prevailed,” Shailesh said.

The actor has never spoken at length about the circumstances behind his exit. While hinting at how things went sour, Shailesh said, “He wanted me to sign some papers to clear my dues. They had certain clauses like you cannot talk to the media and other things. I didn’t bow down to the armtwisting. Why would I sign any papers to get my own money?”

Furthermore, Shailesh shared how his fight seems to have helped another actor who was a part of the show. “One of the actors, who I don’t want to name, wasn’t paid for over three years. After I filed the suit, he was called by the production house and was paid his dues. He called to thank me for it,” Shailesh, who is also a well-known poet and writer. Despite repeated attempts, producer Asit Modi did not respond to our calls and messages till the time of going to press.

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actor Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal filed an FIR levelling charges of sexual harassment against producer Asit Kumarr Modi, showrunner Sohil Ramani and executive producer Jatin Bajaj. Now, Ramani has hit back:

“If she had so many problems with the show and the producer, why did she come back in 2016? Nobody forced her. She messaged Asit bhai, ‘Main sudhar gayi hoon, sir mujhe ek mauka do’. I’m unable to understand her issues.”

Ramani’s surprised to be dragged into the FIR, calls it “a publicity stunt”. He rues, “I don’t understand what grudge she has against me. I was only doing my job. She misbehaved on set and left for personal reasons without informing us.”

Supporting Modi to take legal action against her, he says, “I’ve told the police everything in my statement recorded around 15 days ago. From CCTV footage to screenshots, we have proof”, but refuses to share them with us.

In response to Ramani’s current claims, Mistry retorts, “When I joined in 2016, I didn’t have too many major issues. But, problems started in October 2018 and in March 2019, Asit sexually harassed me. I also have call recordings of Sohil shouting and misbehaving with me.”

Mumbai: Police on Monday registered an FIR against Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah producer Asit Kumarr Modi, operation head Sohail Ramani, and executive producer Jatin Bajaj for allegedly sexually harassing an actress on the sets.

Powai police registered the case based on the instruction received from the Women Commission in Delhi after the TV actress, who was cast in the show, complained of sexual harassment on the sets. DCP (Zone X) Datta Nalawade confirmed that the case has been registered under the Indian Penal Code sections 354 (A) (sexual harass ment), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), and 34 (common intention) against the three. TOI is in possession of the FIR in which the names of the three have been mentioned as accused.

Producer Modi’s team members in response to TOI’s request for comment said he will respond to the allegations levied against him later.

Meanwhile, Modi told various news outlets that the allegations are ‘baseless’. He has said that he will take legal action against the actress.

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An FIR was registered on Monday night against the producer of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah Asit Kumarr Modi, executive producer Jatin Bajaj and operations head Sohil Ramani for sexual and mental harassment, based on a complaint made by Taarak... actress Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal.

She had made a complaint via email to the Joint Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) Satyanarayan Chaudhary and DCP Maheshwar Reddy a month ago, citing mental and sexual harassment at the workplace. The makers of the show have refuted her allegations and called them baseless.

When we reached out to Senior Police Inspector Budhan Sawant of Powai police station, he said, “We have registered an FIR against Asit Kumarr Modi, Jatin Bajaj and Sohil Ramani of Neela Telefilms under sections 354 (A), 509 and 34 of IPC for mental and sexual harassment. The investigation is on, and we will take action after the investigation is over. ”

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Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal’s ‘faith in the justice system has been restored’, she quips, as an FIR was filed against Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah producer Asit Kumarr Modi on Tuesday, operation head Sohail Ramani and executive producer Jatin Bajaj on the basis of her sexual harassment complaint. She had recorded her complaint on May 24. Earlier, she said that he had made sexual remarks and that he’d allegedly invite her to have drinks with her.

Talking to us, she says, “Pehle yahi lag raha tha ki itna time kyun lag raha hai. Asit replied to my notice to my lawyer. Bahut blame game kiye hain.”

Bansiwal played the role of Roshan Singh Sodi in the comedy show and was replaced by Dilkhush Reporter some years ago. However, she came back. Bansiwal shares that even that was made into an allegation from Modi’s side. “They allege that Jennifer got to know Dilkhush was pregnant, so she took advantage of the opportunity and came back to the show. Okay, then why did you take me again? Also, Dilkhush was not pregnant then,” she says.

Mistry is ready to let everything go if “Modi apologizes” to her. “I don’t want this thing to become bigger. I hope he understands. I want this to end peacefully.”

Of late, actors from TV shows Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC) and Anupamaa have spoken up about the toxic work culture and harassment on set. This raises a pertinent question: Why are such serious issues not spoken about despite the presence of regulatory bodies like Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) and Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE)?

FWICE president Birendra Nath Tiwari says, “The organization can take strict action against the offender or stop the shoot temporarily, but we can’t do anything unless victims come out and register an official complaint. Actors don’t want to spoil their equation with the production houses. Hence, they don’t talk about it openly.”

Given that CINTAA is a union that largely comprises actors, many believe it’s highly unlikely that they’d take strict action. “Jo CINTAA mein baithe hain, unhe bhi toh kaam chahiye producers se. I’ve heard that CINTAA comes, takes money [from the producers] and ignores the matter,” says Control Room actor Nishant Singh Malkani, who recalls being told by CINTAA members to do what the producers were saying.

Actor Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal, who recently accused TMKOC producer Asit Kumarr Modi of sexual harassment, says, “Every time a CINTAA representative had to visit the set, which is usually a surprise visit, Asit would know about it beforehand and everything would be put into place. So, when we know that producers had their way of dealing with CINTAA, why would we go to them?”

CINTAA general secretary Amit Bahl says, “We have an outrage committee, a care committee and a dispute-settlement committee. The moment we get any complaint regarding abuse, we act instantly. CINTAA doesn’t charge a single penny for any case.”

On actors’ claims about CINTAA members taking bribe, Bahl adds, “We disaffiliated CINTAA from the federation six years ago, after we found out that there were corrupt people in the union.”

While some actors stress on the need of a counsellor on set to tackle such issues, producer J D Majethia says that after the #MeToo movement, every production house was told to make a committee and immediately report any such mishap, not only regarding harassment, but also toxicity on the set. “But, in the absence of the committee, if any unpleasant incident happens and the producer isn’t taking any action, the victim should inform the channel and CINTAA,” he says.

Actor Monika Bhadoriya, who called out the production team of TMKOC, says she didn’t know there was a body that helps with such issues: “I thought CINTAA only helps with payment-related issues. Also, people keep quiet to not harm their careers.”

TMKOC actor Priya Ahuja feels going to CINTAA would mean “turning producers into your enemies”. Echoing similar thoughts, Malkani adds that actors choose to stay mum as they don’t want to be “tagged troublemakers”.

Another actor from the TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has come out in the open, spilling deets about the working conditions of the set. Actor Monika Bhadoriya who played Bawri in the show alleges that after she left the show in 2019, makers didn’t pay her dues of three months which equated around Rs. 4-5 lakhs, for over a year. “I have fought for my money for over a year. Unhone har artist ka paisa rok rakha hai - whether it was Raj (Anadkat), Gurucharan (Singh) Bhai - sirf torture karne ke liye. Unke paas paise ki kami nahi hai,” she says.

Bhadoriya recalls her days on the set as “hell”. Bhadoriya’s late mother was undergoing cancer treatment, while the makers of the show remained unsupportive towards her. “I would spend the night at the hospital and they would call me early in the morning for a shoot. Even if I would say I am not in the right state of mind, they would force me to come. The worst part was that even after coming on shoot, I would wait, mera kuch kaam hi nahi hota tha,” she shares.

When Bhadoriya’s mother passed away, the show’s producer Asit Kumarr Modi never called her to condole her. “I was in a trauma but he only called me seven days after my mother’s death, asking me to report on the set. When I said I wasn’t in condition, his team said, ‘Hum aapko paisa de rahe hai, hum jab chahe aap ko khada hona padega chahe aap ki Mummy admit ho ya koi.’ I went to the set because I had no option and I would just cry everyday. Upar se unka torture and misbehave bhi karte the. They would call me on the set an hour before the call time. Itni gundagardi hai unke set pe. He (Asit) says ‘I’m a God’,” she elaborates.

This was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. “Maine bola mujhe kaam hi nahi karna aisi jagah jaha pe aapko kaam karke aisa lage ki issey better suicide karlo. Jo koi aa raha hai badtameezi se baat kar raha hai, Sohil sabse badtameezi se baat karte hai,” she adds.

Despite Bhadoriya’s claims of Modi’s unruly attitude, she says that no one from the current cast members will out him. “Jo show mein hai wo bolenge bhi nahi. He even made me sign the contract to not speak ill about them in the media. Jennifer (Mistry Bansiwal, actor) ji ne bhi baat nahi ki when others left the show. Jab unke saath jeezein hui toh wo boli. Sabko apni job bachana hai. Jitna torture unhone kiya haim kisi ne nahi kiya hai,” she shares.

Furthermore, Bhadoriya reveals that when she was signed on for the show, she was only paid a minuscule amount of Rs. 30,000 monthly for the show. “They had promised me to hike my fee after six months, but they never did. Wo paise ki beimaani karti hai. Sach mein woh kutte ki jaisa treat karte hain. Unhone mere saath bohot ganda behave kiya hai. And their EP Sohil Ramani is the worst. Bohot badtameez hai wo. Unhone toh Natttu kaka ko bhi abuse kiya tha,” she signs off.

When we reached out to Ramani and Modi for their comment, they remained unavailable till we went to the press.

TV actress Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal, who is best known as Roshan Sodhi from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, is at loggerheads with the show’s production house. She has accused producer Asit Kumarr Modi, executive producer Jatin Bajaj and operations head, Sohil Ramani of harassment. Jennifer sent a complaint via email to the Joint Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) Satyanarayan Chaudhary and DCP Maheshwar Reddy a month ago, citing mental and sexual harassment at workplace.

We spoke to both Jennifer and the show’s producer Asit Kumarr Modi, who refuted her charges, terming them baseless. Here’s what both parties have to say...

The actress, who has been a part of Taarak Mehta… for over a decade, says, “There were issues related to payment, and there was mental harassment, but I kept quiet. I often complained to producer Asit Modi about the non-payment of dues or half-day salary cut, but he would ask me to speak to Sohil Ramani.”

Jennifer has also alleged sexual harassment in March 2019. She says, “We went on a shoot to Singapore on March 5. On March 8, Asit Modi complimented me on my lips and said they were worth kissing and also invited me to his room. I was scared, and two of my colleagues helped me. They would always come in the middle whenever he came close to me. Even on the set, he used to pull my cheeks and say how sexy I was.”

The last straw, she says, was when she asked for leave during Holi this year. “They did not let me take an off on Holi (March 7). They also tried to stop me from leaving the set, but I managed to leave. On March 24, they sent me an email saying how it had caused them an additional expense. All these years, I was using my own jewellery, footwear and makeup, so what are these expenses? I replied to their mail and shared the issues that I have had over these years. But they reverted, saying I was trying to extort money. So, on April 8, I mailed my complaint to senior police officials and also sent them (the producers) a notice.”

The production house says that Jennifer is making these allegations because she was removed from the show. Producer Asit Kumarr Modi tells us, “We will take legal action as she is trying to defame me and the show. Since we terminated her services, she is making these baseless allegations.”

The directorial team members Harshad Joshi, Rushi Dave and Arman Dhanesha also released a joint statement to us which said, “Jennifer lacked basic discipline on the set and was not focusing on her work. We regularly had to complain to the production head about her behaviour. On her last day (March 7), she was abusive in front of the whole unit and left the set without finishing her shoot.”

Sohil Ramani and Jatin Bajaj, too, shared a statement which read, “She regularly misbehaved on the show with the entire team. When she left the set (on March 7), she rashly drove her car at very high speed. She even damaged the set property. We had to terminate her contract because of her bad behaviour and indiscipline during the shoot. During this incident, Asit ji was in the US. She is now trying to defame us and the show by making baseless allegations.”

Mumbai’s Powai Police is looking into the matter. DCP Maheshwar Reddy said, “We have received a complaint application from Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal some time ago and we are inquiring into the matter.”

Mumbai Police has been quoted as saying, “Actress from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has filed a written complaint against a producer alleging sexual harassment. According to her complaint, producer Asit Modi and some crew members sexually harassed her. However, an FIR has yet to be registered. We have started an inquiry, and soon the statement of the people related to this matter will be recorded.”

On Thursday, Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal, who played Mrs Roshan Sodhi in the TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC), revealed that she quit the show in March. The actor also alleged that makers of the show sexually assaulted her. One of the accused, Sohil Ramani, project head of TMKOC, asserts that the actor’s accusations are all lies.

Contrary to Bansiwal’s claims of quitting, Ramani says her contract was terminated by the production house. “We removed her three months ago and now she is desperate as she is unable to find work. It is for cheap publicity,” Ramani says.

He also sheds light on Bansiwal’s behaviour on the set. “For the 15 years that she’s worked with us, we’ve ignored her characteristics such as coming late for shoot, creating misunderstandings, etc. We have a lot of evidence,” he adds.

In an interview with an entertainment portal, Bansiwal had narrated an incident from March 4, when she was “subjected to humiliation and insult” while the actor was leaving the set early. Replying to this, Ramani tells us, “She had taken permission to leave by 2 pm. But on that day, she wanted to leave sooner. I had changed our entire schedule for her.”

Bansiwal also revealed that she has “filed a sexual harassment case” against Ramani and TMKOC producer Asit Modi. “We have a committee of women, why did she never complain to them?” says Ramani.

However, he admits that the production house has not cleared her dues yet as they were looking for an answer from her. “We had shared an email with her asking for the reasons why she did what she did,” he adds.

Modi did not reply to our calls, but he released a statement: “We will take legal action as she is trying to defame me and the show both. Since we terminated her services, she is making these baseless allegations.”

Bansiwal couldn’t be reached for a comment till we went to press.

It has been almost a year since Shailesh Lodha quit the longrunning show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC), but issues between him and producer Asit Kumarr Modi remain unresolved. Most recently, the actor, who played the title character in TMKOC for 14 years, filed a case against the producer before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for not clearing his dues.

Asit said he was hurt by how Shailesh handled the situation. He added, “I received a notice a couple of months ago and couldn’t fathom the reason because I hadn’t refused to clear his dues. In fact, we followed up with him regarding his pending dues by regularly sending emails and text messages because he had to complete the formalities. That’s how it is in every organization. However, he didn’t agree to complete those formalities.”

The production house was hopeful of Shailesh returning to the show. But when that didn’t happen, they replaced him with Sachin Shroff in September last year. Asit said, “When you work together for so many years, minor disagreements and clashes are bound to happen. Don’t family members fight, too? He wanted to take up work outside and participate in kavi sammelans, but Taarak Mehta is a daily soap with an ensemble cast, and it was not possible to accommodate his request. We had a minor tiff over it in April last year, after which he never returned to shoot.”

He added, “Shailesh ji spoke about his atma sammaan, toh bhai hamaara bhi toh atma sammaan hai. Targeting me with his couplets and poems doesn’t befit him. I feel hurt by his behaviour as we shared a good relationship. I have never badmouthed him and have respected his work. I took the risk of entrusting him with the responsibility of playing the title role even though he wasn’t an actor aur ek dinn jhagda hota hai aur woh aadmi bura ho jaata hai. Taarak Mehta se koi bhi jaata hai mujhe dukh hota hai because the unit is dear to me. He quit the show, we didn’t tell him to leave. We even offered him to serve a three-month notice period if he wished to quit the show, but he refused to have a meeting with us. Pyaar se aakar unko paise le lene chahiye the par he didn’t want to sign any document or complete the paperwork and other formalities. If there was a problem, he could have shared it with us, but he filed a case instead. We have a record of emails and text messages sent to him. How are so many people working on the show for the past 15 years if their dues are not cleared on time? Strangely, jab tak aap show ka hissa hain tab tak sab achha aur jaise hi chhod dete hain toh sab bure. I fail to understand this attitude.”

When contacted, Shailesh Lodha said, “I do not want to comment on the case, as it is sub judice. I would just like to say that Taarak Mehta wasn’t my first show, and I didn’t approach Asit Modi to cast me. I have been an established poet since 1981 and worked in TV shows like Waah Waah, Comedy Circus and Kya Baat Hai before. I would like to quote great poet Krishna Bihari Noorji’s couplet ‘Sach zara sa ghate ya badhe toh sach na rahe, jhooth ki koi inteha hi nahi aur sone ke frame mein madh dijiye chahe, aaina jhooth bolta hi nahi’. I also remember two lines penned by me ‘Usse jhooth ko asharfiyon se dhakne ki aadat hai, bhool jaata hai woh mere pass sach ki taakat hai’. I will reply to every claim made by Asit and talk about the trail of events with all documents at the right time.”

Shailesh Lodha, who played the lead character in Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC) for 14 years, has decided to take legal action against the makers of the show. The actor-poet left the show last year due to a reported rift with the showrunner, Asit Modi.

Earlier in January, we reported that Lodha has been waiting for over six months to clear his dues of over a year. And in the first week of March, he initiated a corporate insolvency resolution under Section 9, as Modi could not pay his debts, and reached out to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). The hearing is set to take place in May.

When contacted, Lodha refused to comment, saying “the matter is subjudice”. And Modi has not made any comment, citing that he is “currently travelling”. However, we were contacted by Sohil Ramani, project head, TMKOC, who said that “Lodha has been like family” to them.

He claimed that they have been “trying to reach out to sir (Lodha) for months to sign the required paperwork and receive his pending payments”. Ramani further stated that they have “never denied or refused to give his payment”.

“In every company, when people leave, they have to sign full and final papers before complete payment is released. Instead of going around and complaining, isn’t it better to simply follow the regular procedure? We are not pursuing any case. We have already informed sir (Lodha) to take his dues and sign the required papers,” he ends.

The hunt for the new Tapu in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has finally ended. We have exclusively learnt that the makers have finalised Nitish Bhaluni for the part. He has commenced the shoot and will soon be introduced on the show as the new Tapu, Jethalal’s (Dilip Joshi) son.

Earlier seen on Meri Doli Mere Angna, this will be his big break in the TV industry. Both Asit Kumarr Modi, the producer of the show, and Nitish couldn’t be reached for comment.

The character was previously played by Raj Anadkat, who joined the show in 2017 following the exit of Bhavya Gandhi — the original Tapu. Raj announced his decision of quitting the show in December, however, speculations were rife over his exit from the show a few months before he confirmed the news. 

Earlier last year, Shailesh Lodha, who played the title character of Taarak Mehta, also quit the show amid much controversy. The makers roped in Sachin Shroff to step into his shoes.

After almost six months of his exit from the TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Shailesh Lodha’s dues are yet to be cleared, we have learnt. The actor, who was a part of the show for 14 years, left abruptly in April 2022.

A source shares, “Shailesh’s payment from over a year has not been cleared by the makers of the show. It’s approximately a six-figure amount. He has been patiently waiting for the makers to clear his dues for almost a year. But producer Asit Kumarr Modi is paying no heed.”

The source adds that Lodha left the show due to an altercation with the showrunner: “He felt disrespected and left the show without any notice. Shailesh has maintained a dignified silence since then.”

Another source from the set shares, “This isn’t the first time when someone’s cheque has been delayed. Neha’s (actor Neha K Mehta, who played Anjali in the show) Rs. 30-40 lakh are yet to be cleared by the producer. Even Raj Anadkat (actor), who played Tappu, faced similar issues.”

When we reached out to Lodha, he made a sarcastic remark and said, “Tell me something new.” The actor added, “I’m travelling for my poetry gigs. I’ll be talking when I’m back.”

We tried contacting Modi, but there was no response till the time of going to press.

TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has got a new Nattu Kaka in theatre veteran Kiran Bhatt. Earlier, the character was essayed by another veteran actor Ghanshyam Nayak, who died of cancer on October 3, 2021.

Interestingly, in real life, Bhatt and Nayak had a long friendship, dating back to their initial years in the theatre industry. Commenting on the same, Bhatt said, “It’s almost like the old Nattu Kaka is bringing in the new Nattu Kaka, and I am glad to be doing the role of my dear friend Ghanshyam. It is a very emotional role for me, and I hope to do justice to the role Ghanshyam excelled in ever since the beginning.”

Asit Kumarr Modi, the producer of the show, while welcoming the new Nattu Kaka into the family, said, “The love that we have been showered with ever since we began in 2008 is immense. And we hope that the audience embraces Nattu Kaka as he is all set to return to Jethalal’s newly inaugurated store.”

Neha Mehta, who quit Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC) two years ago, says she is yet to receive her pending dues from the makers of the show.

The actress, who recently finished shooting for a Gujarati film, says, “I acted in TMKOC as Anjali Mehta for 12 years before quitting in 2020. The last couple of months’ money is pending. After I quit the show, I called them a few times regarding my pending dues. I don’t like complaining, so I’m hoping that there will be a solution soon and I will get my hard-earned money.”

Post TMKOC, Neha hasn’t bagged another show on TV. She says, “I am waiting for good offers. TV is a great medium and has given me a lot. But I did not want to jump on to another show soon after acting in one for 12 years. I am also focusing on new concepts and working on my own production house. I hope to start work on a web show soon.”

She adds, “The web is a great alternative medium, but it can never replace TV. Television has a mass following and in India, people still enjoy watching TV very much.”

We texted producer Asit Kumarr Modi, but he didn’t revert.

Speculations were rife that Disha Vakani aka Dayaben would return to the show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah soon, especially with a new promo hinting about her re-entry. However, producer Asit Kumarr Modi has cleared the air. “Dayaben, the character, is all set to return, but it’s not Disha Vakani. Auditions for Disha’s replacement are on and there will be a new actress coming in as Dayaben soon.”

Disha took a break from the show five years ago. So, why did it take the makers so long to bring in a replacement? Asit said, “The reason why it took us so long to replace Disha is that after getting married, Disha did work for some time. Then she took a break and had a baby, and continued her break to raise her child. She never quit the show. Humko umeed thi ki Disha will return. But then the pandemic struck. There were too many restrictions on shooting during that time. Even though we were taking all the necessary precautions, Disha said she was scared to return to the set.”

He added, “We decided to wait for her as she has a long association with the show and shares a good relationship with the entire team. We were always positive about her return. Even now, she has not put in her papers as it’s not required in her case. She is like family. She had a second baby recently and now won’t be able to return to the show. Auditions are on in full swing to find a new Dayaben and we will finalise the actor soon.”