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.

Actor Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal is “exhausted” since the last couple of days after her scandalous interview came out in the public, where she revealed she has filed a sexual harassment case against the makers of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC). “To go through the trauma again and again, is very exhausting,” she says.

However, Bansiwal is extremely “sad” that her female colleagues are not supporting her. “It is very sad they are not speaking up. Everyone has their own security,” she shares, admitting that even she would have not spoken up if some other actor had spoken about it. “I was pushed only when I came out in the open,” she adds.

Bansiwal quit the show after her alleged brawl on the sets. Currently, Bansiwal who is not in Mumbai, is waiting to get back to Mumbai to fight the case. She recalls when she quit the show, she didn’t even bother to ask them for her salary.

“Jab I left the show, I thought main paise bhi nahi mangungi. Mera 3.5 mahine ka paisa hai and it’s a big amount. Trust me, mera account mein lakh rupaye bhi nahi hai. I have seven girls in my maayka, and I’m taking care of everyone,” she reveals. However, a spiritual healer Bansiwal is a firm beliver that God will help her.

“Main kyu sochu ki mere account me 80,000 hai, main kya daru. Bhagwan ne mu diya hai toh khana bhi bhagwan dega. God has always provided for me so, I’m not scared,” she mentions.

Recalling what transpired between the makers and her which led to her filing a sexual harassment case she says, “I got a notice from then that they have incurred loss because of me. I was taken aback. My lawyer (Amit Khare) asked me to write down instances of 15 years. When I wrote it down, he told me that ‘Jennifer this is sexual harassment’. I freaked out. I said, “It is a big word, I cannot say that. Mere mein itni himmat nahi hai’. The lawyer helped me understand. I spoke to my close friends as well. I never sent them any notice (initially), I only replied to Sohil on WhatsApp - just my 15 years of grievances. They went mum. I thought ab ye shaant baith jayenge, now that I have sent them this sexual harassment ka draft. Mera bhi kaam khatam. Maine sirf darane ke liye draft bhej diya. Then they said I’m extorting money and then I posted the letters to the authorities on April 8,” Bansiwal shares.

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.