“Indian television’s longest running show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah witnessed a massive downfall in TRP numbers. The show is yet again in the limelight for all wrong reasons.”
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah or popularly known as TMKOC is produced by Asit Modi. The show is based upon the famous humorous column ‘Duniya Ne Undha Chasma’ written by the eminent Gujarati writer Mr. Tarak Mehta. The show’s producer Asit Modi was accused of sexual harassment by former acterss Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal. Monika Bhadoriya and Priya Ahuja have also accused the executive producer of the show for passing sexist remarks and creating a toxic environment at the set.
Highlights
- Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal quits the show and sends a legal draft to Asit Modi.
- Other actors support Jennifer and share their ordeal of physical and mental abuse.
- Asit Modi’s and his team’s responses towards the accusations.
Jennifer Mistry exits Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah after nearly 15 years.
Jennifer, who plays the role of Roshan Singh Sodi, in her recent public appearances with media channels expressed her disappointment towards the show’s producer and director. The actress has also accused the producer of sexual harassment several times.
She said in her interviews “On the last day, March 7 it was Holi and my anniversary. I had informed in advance that I want a half day since my daughter really looks forward to that day. She waits for Holi. I even gave them an option that just gives me a two hour break, I’ll be back.
She added “They made adjustments for everyone except for me. I kept requesting them but they did not listen. They adjusted for all the male actors. It is an extremely male-chauvinistic place. That’s when I retaliated and Sohail spoke to me rudely asking me to get out almost four times. Then the creative person Jatin tried to stop my car. All this is recorded in the CCTV footage.”
Jennifer was also served a notice claiming that the makers are undergoing losses because of her absence. She says “I replied to them on whatsapp that I was subjected to sexual harassment, I sent a draft and they reverted to me saying I was trying to extort money from them. I decided that day, I want a public apology. I took the help of a lawyer.
She said “On April 8th, I sent a notice to Asit Modi, Sohil Ramani and Jatin Bajaj and also mailed and sent a registry to all the government authorities. I have not got any revert on the same but I am sure they must be looking into it and investigating the matter.”
She also shared that , “Asit Modi has made sexual advances towards me many times in the past. Initially, I ignored all his statements because of fear of losing out on work. But it is enough now I won’t take it anymore.”
The actress is seeking a legal route and demands a public apology from everyone who mentally tortured her. She also wants the producer to clear all her dues as soon as possible. Recently the actress revealed that she only had 80,000 in her bank account.
Other actors support Jennifer and share their ordeal of physical and mental abuse.
Monika Bhadoriya who played the role of Bawari in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah supported Jennifer’s accusations against Asit Modi.
She said in her interview “they misbehave and treat people wrongly. They treat us like dogs. They usually halt everyone’s money and when I leave, they also stop my payment, which was given after 1 year. I had to visit the office multiple times and still returned empty handed everytime.”Monika also revealed that directors of the show were ruthless.
Monika Bhadoriya
She said ” I had to visit the hospital mostly everyday because my mom was admitted there. I had to stay with her all night and then return back to Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah set in the morning. When she died, I told Asit Ji that I wasn’t in the right condition for shooting. Still they forced me to continue shooting.
The director of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah passed comments saying “we give you money so you have to work no matter who dies or who lives.” She mentions that this was the last nail in the coffin after which she exited the show and began her spiritual journey.
Priya Ahuja
Another actress Priya Ahuja who played the role of Rita Reporter was thrown out of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah without any prior notice. She was a part of the sitcom from the beginning yet was treated in an absurd manner.
She also supports Jennifer and says ” I am not good friends with Monica but I am a good friend of Jennifer Mistry and she has shared a lot of incidents that she went through on the sets of the show. I know that when a person goes and asks for an off, it’s a right away ‘No’ from the makers and they don’t even consider it at times. There are a lot of restrictions on working outside the production house.”
She also explains that her track on Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah was cut short without any reasons. When she confronted the producer he said ” you don’t need to work because your husband is earning on your behalf. You can continue to enjoy the princess treatment at your home.” She was disappointed and replied ” You have not called me for 9 months on the set because your relationship with my husband ended. But is this justified to remove my character from the show as well? I was associated with the show before getting married to him.”
Priya Ahuja married former Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah writer Malav Ahuja in 2011 and the couple has a beautiful daughter. Her husband exited the show after working with them for 14 years.
Asit Modi’s and teams response towards the allegations.
When contacted the team and the producer of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah he did not comment on the ongoing situation. However reports suggest that they are trying to resolve issues among themselves. And are avoiding the legal routes as of now.