Actor Gurucharan Singh (50) has been missing for the past four days. While his family is distraught, his Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah colleagues are shocked.

Jennifer Mistry, who played his wife in the show, said, “I met him in June last year, and since then, we haven’t spoken. He’s a happy-go-lucky person, and this news has shaken up everyone. His father lives in Delhi, he used to keep shuttling between Delhi and Mumbai.”

Actor Shailesh Lodha said, “Gurucharan quit Taarak Mehta… in 2020. We haven’t been in touch since then, but I remember on the set he was a lot of fun and full of energy. How can he go missing just like that? I don’t understand this! I hope he is found soon.”

Actress Priya Ahuja added, “I can’t believe this…it is shocking! I hope he is fine and returns home soon.”

Gurucharan’s father lodged a complaint on April 25 with the Delhi Police. It read, “My son Gurucharan Singh, age 50 years, had left at 8:30 am on April 22 to go to Mumbai. He went to the airport to catch a flight. He didn’t reach Mumbai, neither has he returned home and his phone is not reachable. He is mentally stable and we were searching for him, but now he has been missing.”

Gurucharan became popular as Roshan Singh Sodhi on Taarak Mehta... He quit the show in 2013 and returned a year later. The actor exited the show again in 2020. He was active on Instagram and his last post was a birthday wish for his father on April 22. The post read, ‘Very divine birthday father (sic).’

We spoke to Gurucharan’s friend Raju Banchan, a Mumbai-based businessman who said, “We have known each other since 2008. After he went back to Delhi, we were not in touch. But two months ago, we spoke and he sounded fine and said he was planning to come to Mumbai soon. I read a report that said he was unwell…I don’t think that is true.”

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Rohit Meena, DCP, South West, Delhi Police, said that investigations are on. He said, “We’ve received a complaint from his family. He was supposed to leave for Mumbai on April 22, but he did not reach. Following which, the family lodged a complaint on April 25. We have formed five teams that are working on the case. We have found some CCTV footage, and after scanning the footage, we are following the trail.”

- Niharika Lal

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”.