One of Indian television’s longest-running sitcoms, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, recently celebrated 17 successful years since its debut. After all these years, the show continues to lead TRP charts, with viewers enjoying the light-hearted camaraderie of the fictional ‘Gokuldham Society’. However, behind the laughter lies brewing controversy, as former cast members shed light on the show’s off-camera issues. The latest to speak out is Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal, the original ‘Mrs. Roshan Sodhi’, who revealed shocking disparities in how she and Disha Vakani, the iconic ‘Dayaben’, were treated by the makers.
Jennifer Mistry recalls begging to return to TMKOC, slams the makers’ double standards
Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal recently opened up about the glaring disparities between the way actors were treated on the sets of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. The actress has been in and out of the show over the years due to personal crises before she permanently quit in 2023.
Speaking to Pinkvilla, Jennifer recalled how, during her pregnancy, she pleaded with the makers to retain her role on the show, but to no avail. In stark contrast, she claims, the same makers were on their knees, begging Disha Vakani to return after her maternity leave in 2017. However, despite their multiple requests, the actress never returned. Jennifer shared:
“Mai haath pair jod rahi thi meri pregnancy ke time ki muje vaapis aana hai. Inn log Disha ke samne haath pair jod rahe the. Inhone itne time tak uske haath pair jode hai. Disha ki delivery ke baad, sab kuch ke baad, itne haath pair jode hai, voh nahi aayi toh nahi aayi.”
Special treatment for Disha Vakani on the TMKOC set?
Disha Vakani, who brought the iconic ‘Dayaben’ to life, was one of the most-loved characters of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. The actress got married in November 2015 and conceived her first child in 2017. Even after working during the initial phase of her pregnancy, Disha left the show in September 2017 and never returned.
Addressing long-standing speculation about why Disha Vakani never returned post-2017, Jennifer suggested the makers went out of their way to accommodate her comfort. However, the same attention to comfort, the actress implied, was missing when it came to other female cast members. Remembering one particular instance, Mistry shared:
“Usko seedhi chadna mana tha toh usko stretcher jaisa tha, uspe beetha ke upar lee jaate the. Kyunki upar shoot karna rehta tha koi ek interior mei.”
Jennifer Mistry’s explosive claims on TMKOC’s toxic work culture and unpaid dues
Jennifer, who exited TMKOC in March 2023, had earlier accused producer Asit Kumarr Modi of making inappropriate remarks and subjecting her to years of sexual harassment. She also spoke out against the show’s toxic work environment and the makers’ biased treatment of certain actors. Her allegations led to a legal battle with Modi, which concluded in February 2025, with the court ruling in Jennifer’s favour.
The court has reportedly ordered Asit Kumarr Modi to clear Jennifer’s pending dues along with an additional compensation of Rs. 5 lakh for sexual harassment, bringing the total amount payable to Rs. 25 lakh. In the new interview with Pinkvilla, Jennifer Mistry reiterated that she is still awaiting her unpaid dues. In her words:
“I was so broken. Serial se nikaal diya, case ho raha hai, paise nahi diye.”
Disha Vakani has no plans to return to the show, and the search for a new ‘Dayaben’ is still ongoing. Meanwhile, following Jennifer’s exit from TMKOC, the role of ‘Mrs. Sodhi’ has been recast with Monaz Mevawalla.
What are your thoughts on Jennifer Mistry’s claims of unequal treatment of actors on the TMKOC set?
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