Showing posts with label Mandar Chandwadkar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mandar Chandwadkar. Show all posts
Technically, I am living Bhide’s life more than I lead my own-Mandar Chandwadkar
8:48 AM
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has its own gaming universe, including the popular Bhide Scooter Race, which crossed one million downloads recently
Christalle Fernandes (MID-DAY; January 28, 2024)
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.
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah turns 10: Actors say no show tackles social issues the way we do
7:53 AM
As Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah turns 10, five of its most loved characters meet mid-day for a nostalgic look back
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; July 31, 2018)
As we set foot in Film City, it's easy to recognise the residential complex, with its bright yellow and blue hues. After all, almost each one of us has been witness to the laughter and learnings, the friendships and fights that have unfolded in Gokuldham Society over the past decade. The set is bathed in lights to commemorate the special occasion. As Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah celebrates its 10th anniversary, we catch up with Dilip Joshi, Mandar Chandwadkar, Shyam Pathak, Tanmay Vekaria and Ghanshyam Nayak for a chat.
Vividly remembering his first day of shoot, Joshi, who plays protagonist Jethaalal Gada, says he had little idea the show would become historic. "My first shot had my character being kidnapped by some comic goons. It has been a smooth sail since then."
Vekaria recollects how he would do bit roles on the show, before the writers etched out the part of Bagha for him. "I've done several roles — from a cop to a taxi driver to a school teacher [before playing Bagha]," he says.
Chandwadkar aka Bhide thinks it is the breezy equation shared by co-stars that helps the show deliver a laugh a minute. Stating that they sometimes incorporate their off-screen antics into the show, he says, "Amit [Bhatt] is hilarious, which is quite at odds with his character [Champakklal]. If someone were to record his antics, it would make for amazing viral content." Nayak, who plays Nattu Kaka, points out that he often ends up being the butt of their jokes. "But I don't mind," he says good-naturedly.
From the affable Dayaben to the eternal bachelor Popatlal Pandey, the distinct characters - each with their quirks - are so deeply entrenched into the public consciousness that it is difficult to imagine anyone else play them. However, Chandwadkar says he would love to step into Tanuj Mahashabde [Iyer]'s shoes. "Bhide is perfect. But from an actor's point of view, I would say Iyer's role has an interesting graph."
In an industry where makers have to resort to generation leaps to keep the audience engaged, the situational comedy has found a loyal fan base without resorting to antics.
Vekaria feels the social commentary on the struggles of the middle-class society resonates with viewers. "Taarak Mehta has discussed so many topics, including education, health policies, old age homes, and so on. No other show does that."
Nayak recalls how a fan, who was battling depression, had the show to thank for his change in attitude. "I know of a viewer who was contemplating suicide. But an episode made him see things in new light."
Joshi credits the team of writers for the show's long-standing success. "Our USP is that we churn out relatable content day in and day out, and still bring on the laughs. Comedy is a difficult genre. When we do our reading, if a particular joke feels forced, we don't let it go. We all brainstorm and improvise on it."
But he is quick to add that the team should now consider following the seasonal format that is popular in the West. "That way, writers will get some relief and the creative output will be better."
Over the years, the sitcom has seen many celebrities - from Shah Rukh Khan to Salman Khan, to Hrithik Roshan - make special appearances. "But the thrill of sharing screen space with [Amitabh] Bachchan sir was beyond words," says Nayak.
Admitting to being a fan of Bachchan, Joshi adds, "When I'd watch him on screen, I didn't imagine I'd share screen space with him someday. This show gave me that opportunity."
Bachchan's compliment to Vekaria during the shoot, is one he holds dear. "The scene required me to mouth Bachchan sir's dialogue, 'I can talk English, walk English'. After we canned the shot, he said, 'Bhai, tum meri jagah aa jao, main tumhari jagah aata hoon'. It was a mind-blowing moment."
One last question:
Your favourite section in Gokuldham Society?
Dilip Joshi: It has to be Jethaalal's balcony. It gives you a complete view of the society.
One character you would like to swap your role with?
Shyam Pathak: I'd love to play Champakklal [Jethaalal's father played by Amit Bhatt].
Your favourite couple from the show?
Ghanshyam Nayak: Bhide and Madhavi [played by Mandar Chandwadkar and Sonalika Joshi]. In fact, I often tell Madhavi, 'You're so beautiful. You look good in anything you wear. Kudrat ne tumhe bahut fursat se banaya hai.'
Tanmay Vekaria aka Bagha
Mandar Chandwakar who plays the role of Atmaram Tukaram Bhide
Shayam Pathak aka Popatlal Pandey
Ghanshyam Nayak aka Nattu Kaka
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