The Asit Kumar Modi-backed Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah completed 17 years today. To mark the occasion, the show’s team gathered at an event in Mumbai. During the celebration, Asit Modi shared an update on the casting of Dayaben, while Dilip Joshi, who plays Jethalal, fondly remembered Disha Vakani. Disha’s on-screen and real-life brother Mayur Vakani, known for his role as Sundarlal, also grew emotional as he spoke about missing his sister on the show.
Getting emotional remembering Disha as Dayaben, Mayur said, “I’ve been performing with my sister in theatre since our childhood, so I’m grateful to Asit sir for allowing that journey to continue. How often does one get the chance to share such a long journey with their sister? Today, she is not a part of the show. But we have all enjoyed working with Disha a lot. The audience gave us immense love. Today, I am thankful to you all. I miss my sister.”
When SCREEN asked Dilip Joshi if he also misses his Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah co-star Disha Vakani, who played Dayaben, Dilip said, “We have worked from 2008 to 2017, so I definitely miss her. It was a long time, and we did some iconic scenes together. Both of us are from a theatre background, so our chemistry was quite good since day one. Personally, as a co-actor, I definitely miss her a lot, because the scenes were very enjoyable with her.”
The makers of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah have yet to cast an actor for the role of Dayaben. On the delay in casting for Dayaben and finding Disha’s replacement, producer Asit Kumar Modi said, “Of course, Dayaben not being there is a huge challenge. Disha set a benchmark for that character with the way she has performed. Finding someone like her is very difficult. I don’t know what is God’s will, but I hope to find someone soon and bring Dayaben back. I sincerely wish for Disha only to return, but due to personal reasons, she cannot. But even without Daya, my team has supported me, especially Jethalal and Baapuji. The set was always very lively with Daya, and they kept that belief going for 8 years. I have been telling the audience time and again that we will bring Daya, but issues keep arising. Finding a good replacement is also tough because a very strong image of hers is etched in people’s minds. But I shall soon overcome this challenge with your love and support.”
WATCH; An exclusive tour of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah sets
Disha Vakani, who played the iconic role of Dayaben on Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, took maternity leave in 2017 and has not returned to the screen since.”
