The television show ‘Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ has been popular for about 17 years. However, during this time, the producer of the serial, Asit Kumar Modi, has had to face criticism as well as appreciation.
One after the other, many actors left the show. At the same time, many actors even accused the makers of sexual and mental harassment. But now for the first time Asit Modi has broken his silence on the controversies related to the serial.
In an interview given to the entertainment magazine ‘Screen’ of the English newspaper The Indian Express, Asit Modi has said that he feels bad about the allegations made by the stars who have worked in Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, but he has forgiven them all.
Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has been airing since 2008. So far, more than 4 thousand 370 episodes of it have been aired.
What did Asit Modi Say ?
This serial is still running, but many of its famous actors have left the serial and some are no longer in this world.
In the year 2023, the show ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ came under scrutiny when its workers made serious allegations like non-payment of salary and misbehavior on the set.
Asit Modi was asked if these allegations did not bother him as a producer. To this, he said, “I never broke ties with my actors. If there was any problem, they could always tell me. I have always been very honest and put the show first. I never thought of my benefit. I do get upset with such matters, but they are a part of life.”
He also said that even though a lot is being said about him, he will not say anything about anyone.
Asit Modi said, “The actors who left are speaking against me. It’s okay, no problem. I will not say anything against them. Those people have worked in my show and they have contributed to the success of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. Even though I made this show, it became popular due to everyone’s efforts. I cannot do all this alone. We are like a train. Even if some coaches get derailed, the train keeps moving. I also feel bad, but I forgive those people. Because if I keep any ill will in my heart, then I cannot be happy and cannot make people laugh.”
What did Asit Modi say on the success of Tarak Mehta
This comedy serial is inspired by the weekly column “Duniya ne Udha Chasma” written by famous Gujarati writer Tarak Mehta in a Gujarati regional magazine.
Characters like Jethalal Gada, Daya Ben, Tarak Bhai, Babita Ji, Tappu, Champak Lal, Iyer Bhai, Roshan Sodhi, Hansraj Hathi, Bhide, Nattu Kaka, Bagha, Abdul, journalist Popatlal have been on people’s tongues for years.
The serial centers around the Gokuldham Society and the lives of people from different backgrounds living in it. The people living in the society gradually made their place in the homes of India. People showered their love on this serial.
Asit Modi connects the success of the serial to all the artists working in it.
In an interview with Screen magazine, he said, “When a show becomes popular, it is a team effort. Everyone has worked very hard. I will ensure that they do not face any problems. My focus is on keeping everyone united. If they are also serious about their work, then many issues will not arise.”
When ‘Tarak Bhai’ suddenly left the show
On one hand, the serial and its actors gained popularity, on the other hand, this serial gradually got surrounded by controversies.
Jennifer Mistry Bandiwal, who played the character of Roshan Sodhi in the serial, accused the producers of sexual harassment about two years ago. However, the producers rejected it.
At the same time, Shailesh Lodha played the character of Tarak Mehta in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah for 14 years.
Shailesh became very popular as the friend of the serial’s lead character Jethalal and the character of writer Tarak Mehta.
But in the year 2022, he suddenly left the serial.
Later it came to light that Shailesh had left the show due to differences with the producers. The matter was about the payment of outstanding money. Shailesh Lodha later filed a case against the producers.
After a long time, Shailesh Lodha told the story behind it in an interview given to ‘Lallantop’.
Shailesh Lodha said, “It was a matter of self-respect.”
He told that while working in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, he appeared as a guest in another comedy show of the channel. But this did not go down well with the producer (Asit Modi) and he used rude language. Although he continued to go to the set, things did not work out later and he finally left the show.
When there was a dispute over money, he took the help of law and then his dues were deposited in the court.
What Asit Modi said on the return of ‘Daya Bhabhi’
The most popular character of the serial, Dayaben, was played by Disha Vakani.
But she was not a part of the serial since 2017. The producers of the serial kept the audience in the illusion for a long time that Disha Vakani would return. But this did not happen.
Disha Vakani took maternity leave in 2017 and then did not return. There were also reports that Disha had demanded a payment hike, but it could not be confirmed.
But when will Dayaben return? Asit Modi himself has now answered this.
He told Screen, “The popularity of the show is still there. I agree that people complain that ever since Daya Bhabhi has left, they are not enjoying the show. I will bring Daya Bhabhi back soon.”
“The entire team of writers and actors is trying their best to fill the void left by Daya Bhabhi. Daya Bhabhi will return soon. We can only pray that Disha Vakani returns. She is still like my younger sister and family. It may be difficult for her to return. I have shortlisted a few people for this role and you will get to know about it soon. It has been five years since she left the show, but we still miss her. She cared a lot for her co-actors and crew. We wish to find someone like Disha Vakani.”
Tappu leaving the serial
Bhavya Gandhi got a lot of love from the audience as Jethalal and Daya Ben’s son Tappu in the serial.
Tappu’s army became very famous in the show. After working as a child artist in the show for about nine years, Bhavya Gandhi said goodbye to the show in 2017.
He wanted to move forward as an artist, which he was not getting by staying in the show. So he left the show and started the second innings of his career.
He was replaced by Raj Anadkat as Tappu. The audience accepted Raj Anadkat as Tappu, but after being in the show for six years, he also said goodbye to it in 2022.
Currently this character is being played by Nitish Bhaluni.
At the same time, Munmun Dutta, who plays Babita ji in the show, used a casteist word in a makeup video in May 2021, which created an uproar on social media.
There was a demand to remove him from the show. Several FIRs were registered against him under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Act.
On the second day of posting the video, he apologized on social media.