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.”

Since Thursday, actor Dilip Joshi has been getting incessant calls after it was widely reported that his life was under threat. News had spread that the police received a call from a person claiming that Joshi’s house was surrounded by 25 armed men. It was followed by news reports mentioning that a police investigation was underway. However, when we called the Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actor, he dismissed it all.

“It is fake news. Aisa kuch nahin hua hai. I don’t know how or where it started. It has been in circulation for two days and I was astonished to hear it,” says Joshi.

The actor also expressed shock that such news was so widely reported. “Humne agar kuch kiya ho toh aisi koi baat nikle, bina sar pair wali khabar hai yeh,” he says. 

While the news caused quite a stir, Joshi prefers to look at the bright side of things.

“Bhala ho uska jisne yeh galat khabar phailaayi. Mujhe kaafi logon ke phone aaye, mera haal-chaal puchne ke liye. Many old friends and extended family members called. It was good catching up with them (laughs). [Due to this] I found out how much people love me. People were really worried about me and my family,” he adds.

Actor Sachin Shroff has finally broken his silence on replacing Shailesh Lodha in the show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. The actor says he will “try his best to do justice to the role”, and is very excited to be working with actor Dilip Joshi.

He adds, “Dilip ji is currently not in town. When he returns to the sets in a few days, I will get to shoot with him. I will definitely get to learn a lot from him. I know I will get to do something new and exciting.”

The Balika Vadhu actor also appreciated and thanked his co-stars and directors Malav and Harshad for making him “feel comfortable from day one” and sharing “brilliant inputs”.

“I would say not just for this character, but whenever I step out for work, I am always a little nervous and anxious about it. Every actor has that pressure on them to do good. Everyone here on this show’s set is trying their level best to ensure that I don’t feel like I am under any kind of pressure,” he concludes.

Ever since the announcement of Lodha’s exit, there were several speculations about his replacement. Talking to one of the leading news portal, Shroff said, “Jis tarah se paani mein shakkar ghul jaata hai swaad anusar, waise hi, I will try my best to do justice to the role. I just want to request everyone to keep continuing to love our show. I am taking baby steps to get used to the character.”

When Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actor Dilip Joshi’s daughter Niyati flaunted grey hair at her wedding, it took the internet by storm. The actor says, “Keeping her grey hair as is at her wedding was never an issue for us. We didn’t even imagine that people would react like this. It was never a point of discussion in our house. Jo jaisa hai woh waisa hi theek hai. Everyone reacted in such a positive way and I was happy to see that she has inspired others. I think this is how we should be; we present ourselves the way we are rather than putting on a mask.”

Joshi’s daughter Niyati has always stayed away from the limelight, and when she started trending on social media, it came as a shock to her. Says Joshi, “Initially, when people started talking about her, she was taken aback as she likes to keep a low profile. But social media is something that we can’t control. Anyway, it was a positive thing and, we were fine with it. If this is something that has inspired people, then that’s great. ”

Joshi, who is popular as TV’s Jethalal today, started his career with the film Maine Pyar Kiya in 1989. He may have been a part of many movies, but he says that television was a gamechanger for him, and the medium has given him everything. But does the actor feel stagnated because he is unable to take up any other show apart from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah?

Joshi says, “This is a comedy show, and it’s fun being a part of it. So, till the time I enjoy it, I will do it. The day I feel that I am not enjoying it anymore, I will move on. I do get offers from other shows, but I feel that when this one is doing well, why unnecessarily quit this one for something else. People love us so much, why would I want to ruin that for no reason.”

“When the lockdown ends, we have to be as careful as we are today. People shouldn’t start going out or behaving as if nothing happened,” says Dilip Joshi, talking about the spike in Coronavirus cases across the country. He adds, “People should be responsible and have to cooperate, instead of just blaming just the government. We have to be careful and follow guidelines, or else, this will never end. We have to maintain social distance, wear masks and get vaccinated at the earliest.” He suggests everyone take steam regularly to stay healthy and maintain all protocols, even when the cases reduce and not get lax.

As some TV shoots are on in other states, Joshi’s sitcom isn’t being shot for now and he agrees with the production house’s decision to not shoot. “Work will go on but people’s lives are more important. That’s the priority right now. The other productions who are shooting in different cities must be taking utmost care. I believe in God and his will. Saari hekdi is pandemic ne utaar di hai. All development, technology, money - you name it, sab dhara ka dhara reh gaya. Everyone is at home, nothing else matters right now more than family and your health. We took nature by granted and I hope we have learnt the lesson. We have to understand ki aur dhairya aur saiyam rakho. Nothing is permanent and this too shall pass. Have faith,” he philosophises.

His good friend, actor Amit Mistry, passed away recently and Joshi admits it was shocking. “He was well, didn’t have any issues, so it was shocking. It was unfortunate and I don’t know what really happened. I heard he had a cardiac arrest, which was surprising as he would work out and was fit.”

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.”

Apprehension and fear is writ large on the faces of local residents and people working at Film City, Goregaon - including officials, actors and the general public - as they tread on dangerous grounds in the area. A recent spate of leopard attacks, including the death of a child, has caused panic and brought outdoor shooting in some locations at a complete standstill. The Maharashtra Forest Department has ordered that shooting at these outdoor locations must be halted for eight days (until August 6) until the leopard, which they believe is responsible behind the attack of five children, is trapped. “Kal bhi barah se do baje tak, leopards gate number one ke paas dikhe,“ reveals security guard Chavan at the premises. The red alert is clearly on here and while the decision has affected shooting schedules, officials say this can not be helped.

5 ATTACKS IN THE LAST 5 MONTHS
Last Friday, local resident Aniket Dileep Page (12) was attacked by a leopard near the Aarey pump house at Film City in the evening; it was the fifth incident of a leopard attack in the the past five months. The forest department set up two cages at a radius of 5 km from the site of attacks - near Film City and the Aarey helipad - with the aim to trap the leopard. Reports state that another cage trap will be installed soon. Says Kolekar, “The forest department is on high alert. In fact, the animal was almost caught when he came close to a cage, but sounds from a vehicle nearby drove it away. We are doing our best to assist efforts to trap it. We also conduct regular patrol besides handing out posters to public.“

EYEWITNESS SPEAKS... 'I SAW A LEOPARD CROSSING IN FRONT OF ME': JAYA BHATTACHARYA
The gruesome attacks prompted TV actress Jaya Bhattacharya put out a warning on Facebook. She recalls earlier incidents: “One day, during a shoot of the film Hindustan Ki Kasam, the production people dropped me to the Film City gate after pack-up. I then saw a leopard crossing the road in front of me. I was in the car, but I won't forget the sight of it. The production person was scared to return by auto. In another incident, a leopard picked up a puppy from our sets in front of so many people. We also once saw a leopard relaxing on the ground that is today the set of a TV show. Last year, a child was picked up by a leopard from behind the Aarey side, Gate no 7. We have also heard of an incident, where a guy was talking on the phone on a film set and the animal came from the bushes and took him away. So, leopards have always been there in Film City. In fact, that is their territory and it is we who have encroached there. I would like to tell everyone to please be careful when moving around. Walk in groups, carry torches so that you can see what is nearby. Small kids are easy targets and can fall prey to these wild animals. Remember, this is the jungle, so do not take offbeat, secluded paths here,“ she cautions.

Dilip Joshi aka Jethalal, who is at present shooting for Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashma in Film City, is worried. “We do have an outdoor set, but currently we are shooting indoors,“ he says, adding, “I have heard many stories of a leopard being spotted on other sets. It is scary as it gets very dark towards sundown. I am being extra careful as there are not enough street lights here near the parking area.“

KEY LOCATIONS THAT ARE MORE DENSE HAVE BEEN CORDONED OFF
The film studio complex of Film City is located on the south side of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), which reportedly has a leopard population of 20; the big cats are known to stray into Aarey Milk Colony as well, in search of prey. This has left the officials with no choice but to earmark and close a few sites that are more dense and have a greater chance of leopards straying into them. Mangesh K Raul, assistant manager, studios, at Film City, informs, “Around 10-11 locations are now shut - this includes Bapu Nagar, the temple road, the route towards the helipad, the hill view area, lake downwards, the garden near the lake as well as the reserve garden, Khandala Ghat, the temple maidan and a few more.“ Giving details on the effect on shootings, he reveals, “These locations were used to shoot Bollywood and Marathi films and TV series. The location closure will be till August 6, but if the animal is not trapped by then, it may have to be extended. The call will be taken by forest officials.“

Adds Chandrakant Kolekar, engineer and Film City officer, “We are just adhering to the directions by the forest department. Considering the recent attacks (the last one was on Saturday), it was high-risk situation to keep locations that were remote and in the jungle, open. There is a loss, but we cannot calculate and ascertain how much. As of now, the shooting is closed until Sunday. After a meeting, it will be decided what is to be done next.“

ACTIVISTS SPEAK...'THE ANSWER DOES NOT LIE IN TRAPPING AND RELOCATING THE LEOPARDS AS THEY HAVE A HOMING INSTINCT AND RETURN'
Activists believe that the solution to trap and relocate the animals elsewhere does not work for leopards. Explains Jalpesh Mehta, city-based environmental activist, “There are 35 leopards in SGNP and around nine in Aarey Forest. They move across Aarey and SGNP through Film City and Filterpada encompassing Aarey, IIT Powai to seek easy prey like dogs, pigs, hens and more. The tribals living there since ages know how to coexist with big cats, but it is different for others. We have in the past, along with the forest department, tried to trap these animals and release them far off. But the big cats including lions, leopards and tigers can travel back kilometers to their original destination and on their way they can cause a lot of conflict. So, trapping and relocating is not the solution.“

Affirms ecologist Anand Pendharkar, “You can trap a leopard here and leave it far away, but it will return as the animal has a strong homing instinct. The other danger is that when one territory gets emptied, another leopard comes into its place. These are transient leopards, who are waiting in the fringes to come into the territory.

Film-maker Ashwin Nagpal pegs it down to an increasing loss of green space. “They are converting the Film City area, which is a green zone and almost a part of SGNP into an industrial zone. This means shrinking habitat for leopards and the possibility of more leopard attacks on the fringes of the park,“ he warns.

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
It's not a direct one. Says Jalpesh, “The only solution is to co-exist with the wild and in the long run work on removing encroachment. It is humans who have entered the homes of the leopards and not vice-versa.“ Anand adds, “What movie and TV crews and others at Film City can do is to make sure they do not litter the place, especially with food as this attracts dogs, which in turn attract leopards who prey on them. Also, try and cordon off the area and have stronger lighting and fences.“

Following the terror strikes in Paris, we learnt that Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah star Dilip Joshi, is in France on a week-long Diwali vacation. In fact, he was in Paris till the morning of the blast. Currently in Cannes, South of France, he shares his experience: “I am here with my wife and four other couples. I was in Paris till the morning of November 13, the unfortunate day when the terror attack took place. I left for Cannes on that day. I didn't know about the tragedy till I was inundated with calls and messages, inquiring about my well-being. It was shocking as I was in the city just 12 hours ago. My parents were worried for me and are constantly on the phone with me since then. Even the unit of my show was really worried about me. My co-actor Gurucharan Singh got in touch with me, asking me about my well being. I was reminded of the 26/11 episode in Mumbai in 2008, and the tension that enveloped the country then. It is saddening. The mood all over France is naturally sombre. Most of the shops are shut here in Cannes. My prayers are with the people of Paris. I will be returning to Mumbai in a couple of days.“

The members of Gokuldham Society are celebrating Diwali and they get the unique idea of inviting King Khan of Bollywood - Shah Rukh Khan.They ask Aatmaram Tukaram Bhide (Mandar Chandwadkar) to contact SRK and request him to visit the society on Diwali.The actor gladly accepts this invitation and decides to visit Gokuldham. That's not all.There is a twist in the story as Jethalal (Dilip Joshi) unintentionally ends up offending SRK. Not used to such behaviour, King Khan decides to walk out of the society after the incident. Dilip Joshi, who plays Jethalal, said, “All of us were overjoyed when we got to know that Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and other film celebrities will be visiting our set to promote their movie. He had visited our set earlier and it has been one of the most amazing experiences ever. He is a thorough professional and ensures that everyone is at ease during the shoot. We had a lot of fun with King Khan during and after the shoot. The cast and crew kept clicking pictures with him.“

Will King Khan forgive Jethalal and visit Gokuldham and will he be appeased by the hospitality of residents of Gokuldham society?

Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashmah airs Monday to Friday at 8.30 pm on SAB TV .