# Disha Vakani

Disha Vakani Padia (born 17 August 1978); known professionally as Disha Vakani, is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Hindi films and television. Vakani is widely known for her portrayal of Daya Jethalal Gada in India's longest-running sitcom, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. She is also known for her role in the films Devdas, Mangal Pandey: The Rising and Jodhaa Akbar.

## Early life

Disha Vakani was born 17 August 1978 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Her brother, Mayur Vakani is also an actor.

## Career

Disha was introduced to theatre at a very young age by her father Bhim Vakani, a noted Gujarati theatre personality. Her career in acting kick-started as a child theatre-artiste with her father. She then graduated in the Dramatic arts from Gujarat College and went on to work in popular plays such as Kamal Patel v/s Dhamal Patel, Baa Retire Thai Che and Lali Lila. She has played supporting roles in Hindi films like Devdas (2002) and Jodhaa Akbar (2008). She has played the lead role of Daya "Dayaben" Jethalal Gada in SAB TV's sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah since 2008. Her brother Mayur Vakani also plays her on-screen brother Sundarlal or Sundar. She went on maternity leave in September 2017 and did not return to the show as of 2025.

## Personal life

She married a Mumbai-based chartered accountant named Mayur Padia on 24 November 2015. On 27 November 2017, the couple became parents to a baby girl. She gave birth to a baby boy in May 2022.

## Filmography
### Films

| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes |
| 1997 | Kamsin: The Untouched | Pinky | Hindi | |
| 1998 | Mahisagar Na Moti | Geeta | Gujarati | |
| 1999 | Pandadu Lilu Ne Rang Rato | Parul | Gujarati | |
| 1999 | Phool Aur Aag | Un­known | Hindi | |
| 2002 | Paiso Maro Parmeshwar | Un­known | Gujarati | |
| 2002 | Devdas | Sakhi | Hindi | |
| 2005 | Mangal Pandey: The Rising | Yasmin | Hindi | |
| 2006 | Jaana... Let's Fall in Love | Salma Disa | Hindi | |
| 2008 | Jodhaa Akbar | Madhavi | Hindi | |
| 2008 | C Kkompany | Asha Trivedi | Hindi | Special appearance |
| 2008 | Love Story 2050 | Maid | Hindi | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2002 | Justujoo | Mehul's makeup artist | |
| 2003 | Shubh Mangal Savadhan | Sanskriti | |
| 2004 | Khichdi | Various characters | |
| 2004–2005 | Aahat | Bina | |
| 2005 | Instant Khichdi | Nisha | Guest appearance |
| 2005 | Hero – Bhakti Hi Shakti Hai | School Teacher | |
| 2005 | Rooh | Kajal Srivastav | Guest Appearance(Ep 14) |
| 2006 | Resham Dankh | Kinari | |
| 2008–2019 | Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah | Daya Jethalal Gada | |
| 2014 | CID | Daya Jethalal Gada | Special appearance |

## Accolades

| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
| 2008 | Indian Television Academy Awards | ITA Award for Best Actress - Comedy | Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah | Won |
| 2009 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Actor in a Comic Role – Female (Popular) | Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah | Won |
| 2009 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Best Actress - Comedy | Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah | Won |
| 2010 | Gold Awards | Best Comic Actor (Popular) | Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah | Won |
| 2010 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Actor in a Comic Role – Female (Popular) | Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah | Won |
| 2012 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards India | Favorite Actress – TV | Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah | Won |
| 2014 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Best Actress - Comedy | Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah | Won |
| 2015 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Best Actress - Comedy | Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah | Won |
| 2016 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards India | Favorite Character — TV (Female) | Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah | Won |
| 2017 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards India | Favorite Actress – TV | Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah | Won |