# Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (transl. "Taarak Mehta's Inverted Spectacles"), often abbreviated as TMKOC, is an Indian sitcom based on the weekly column Duniya Ne Undha Chasma by Tarak Mehta for the magazine Chitralekha. Produced by Asit Kumarr Modi, it is one of the longest-running television series in India. The series premiered on 28 July 2008 on Sony SAB and is also digitally available on SonyLIV. The series has garnered national attention and has developed a substantial following over the years and regarded as a cult classic.

## Overview

The series is set in the city of Mumbai and revolves around the lives of the residents of Gokuldham Co-operative Housing Society, who hail from different cultural and regional backgrounds.
The Gokuldham Society is often referred to as "Mini India" and "Eighth Wonder of the World" by its residents as they represent and celebrate the various cultures and traditions of India and have fostered a familial bond among themselves. They help out each other with their problems, celebrate festivals, and sometimes even the smallest of joys together.
Most story arcs depict either an individual, family, or maybe all of the residents of the Gokuldham Society getting into various kinds of problems and ultimately finding their way out. The character who faces the most troubles in the show is Jethalal Champaklal Gada, whose life seem to jump from one trouble to another with only momentary happiness coming along his way.

## Cast and characters
### Main

* Dilip Joshi as Jethalal "Jetha/Jethiya" Champaklal Gada: A Businessman; (2008–present)
* Disha Vakani as Daya Jethalal Gada aka Dayaben:Garba queen; Jethalal's wife; (2008–2017; 2018; 2019)
* Bhavya Gandhi as Tipendra "Tapu" Jethalal Gada: Jethalal and Daya's son; (2008–2017)
** Raj Anadkat replaced Gandhi as Tipendra. (2017–2022)
** Nitish Bhaluni replaced Anadkat as Tipendra (2023–present)
* Amit Bhatt as
** Champaklal Jayantilal Gada: Jethalal's father; (2008–present).
** Jayantilal Girdharlal Gada: Champaklal's father; (2021)
* Shailesh Lodha as Taarak Mehta:A poet; (2008–2022)
** Sachin Shroff replaced Shailesh Lodha as Taarak. (2022–present)
* Neha Mehta as Anjali Taarak Mehta aka ATM: Taarak's wife. (2008–2020)
** Sunayana Fozdar replaced Neha Mehta as Anjali. (2020–present)
* Tanuj Mahashabde as Krishnan Subramaniam Iyer: A scientist from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. (2008–present)
* Munmun Dutta as Babita Krishnan Iyer: Iyer's wife; (2008–present)
* Mandar Chandwadkar as Aatmaram Tukaram Bhide: A tuition teacher from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. (2008–present)
* Sonalika Joshi as Madhavi "Madhu" Aatmaram Bhide: Aatmaram's wife; (2008–present)
* Jheel Mehta as Sonalika "Sonu" Tipendra Gada : Aatmaram and Madhavi's daughter. (2008–2012)
** Nidhi Bhanushali replaced Jheel Mehta. (2012–2019)
** Palak Sindhwani replaced Nidhi Bhanushali: (2019–2024)
** Khushi Mali replaced Palak Sindhwani as Sonu (2024–present)
* Nirmal Soni as
** Dr. Hansraj Baldevraj Hathi: An overweight doctor from North India; Komal's husband; Gulabkumar's father. His catchphrase is sahi baat hai. (2008–2009; 2018–present)
*** Kavi Kumar Azad replaced Nirmal Soni as Dr. Hathi (2009–2018)
** Dr. Vanraj Hathi: Dr. Hathi's younger brother. (2009–2011)
* Ambika Ranjankar as Komal "Komu" Hansraj Hathi: Dr. Hathi's wife; Gulabkumar's mother. (2008–present)
* Kush Shah as Gulab Kumar "Goli" Hansraj Hathi: Hansraj and Komal's son. (2008–2024)
** Dharmit Turakhiya replaced Kush Shah as Goli. (2024–present)
* Gurucharan Singh as Roshan Singh Harjeet Singh Sodhi: (2008–2013; 2014–2020)
** Laad Singh Maan replaced Gurucharan Singh as Sodhi and Gurucharan Singh returned as Sodhi. (2013–2014)
** Balwinder Singh Suri replaced Gurucharan Singh as Sodhi. (2020–present)
*** Balvinder "Ballu" Singh Suri; Sodhi's friend (2019)
* Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal as Roshan Daruwala Kaur Sodhi: Roshan Singh's wife; Gurucharan's mother. She is a Parsi woman from Navsari, who had a love marriage with Roshan Singh. (2008–2013; 2016–2023)
** Dilkhush Reporter replaced Jennifer as Roshan but later returned in 2016. (2013–2016)
** Monaz Mevawalla replaced Jennifer as Roshan (2023–present)
* Samay Shah as Gurcharan "Gogi" Singh Roshan Singh Sodhi: Roshan Singh and Roshan Kaur's son and the youngest member of Tapu Sena. (2008–present)
* Azhar Shaikh as Pankaj "Pinku" Diwan Sahay: The oldest member of Tapu Sena, who initially lived in Gokuldham Society but later shifted to the neighboring Gulmohar Society. (2008–present)
* Shyam Pathak as Patrakaar Popatlal "Popu/Popat" Pandey: Born in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, he works as a senior crime reporter and digital edition head in the Toofan Express newspaper. (2009–present)
* Sharad Sankla as Abdul Nawab Miyaa: Owner of a grocery shop All In One General Store. (2008–present)
* Ghanashyam Nayak as Natwarlal "Nattu" Prabhashankar Undhaiwala: Hailing from Undhai Village, Gujarat, Nattu is Jethalal's employee who handles the accounts section of Gada Electronics. (2008–2021)
** Kiran Bhatt replaced Nayak as Natwarlal after his death. (2022–present)
* Tanmay Vekaria as
** Various characters (2008–2009),a police inspector in 2008.
** Bagheshwar "Bagha" Daddu Undhaiwala: Nattu's nephew; Bawri's fiancé and Jetha's employee. (2011–present)

### Recurring

* Priya Ahuja as Reporter Rita Shrivastav: A reporter in Kal Tak News channel who is rival of Popatlal. (2008; 2009–2010; 2013–2022)
** Nidhi Nautiyal replaced Ahuja as Reporter Rita Shrivastav. (2010–2013). Priya Ahuja was again cast in the role after Nautiyal left the show in 2013.
** Ramsha Farooqui replaced Ahuja as Reporter Rita Shrivastav. (2023–2024)
** Ami Joshi replaced Farooqui as Reporter Rita Shrivastav (2024–present)
* Anil Yadav as Matka King Mohanlal: Resident in Gokuldham Society. (2008–2009)
* Mayur Vakani as Sundar Lal: Daya's brother. He often creates problems for his brother-in-law Jethalal, and schemes to take money from him. He is very dear to his sister, Daya, who affectionately calls him "Sundar Vira" (younger brother in Gujarati) (2008–present)
* Yash Patel as Magan, a worker at Gada Electronics. (2008–present)
* Daya Shankar Pandey as
** Various characters (2010)
** Inspector Chalu Pandey (2010–present): A police officer in Maharashtra Police from Uttar Pradesh background. He dislikes society members solving cases themselves, leaving him no chance to be credited for solving even a single case. He fears his wife Basundi.
* Rajshekhar Chandran as Chandrashekhar Patil: Hawaldar, Inspector Chalu Pandey's assistant. (2010–present)
* Kanti Joshi as Baka: Sundar's friend. He has a catchphrase in the Gujarati language "Kem Palty" (How are you?) and often chews paan which irritates Jetha. (2010–2021, 2023–present)
* Monika Bhadoriya as Bawri Dhondulal Kanpuria: Bagha's fiancée and love interest. She often forgets people's name. (2013–2019)
** Navina Wadekar replaced Bhadoriya as Bawri (2023–present)
* Jatin Bajaj as Bhailu: Sundar's friend. (2014–present)
* Jagmeet Singh Sasan as Happy Singh: Sodhi's employee (Sodhi Garage) (2018-present)
* Kamal Ghimiray as Shubhankar Banerjee: Iyer's boss from a Bengali background (2019–2021)
* Rakesh Bedi as Babulal: Taarak's short-tempered and arrogant boss who often asks Mehta to do his personal works too. (2020–present)
* Manju Brijnandan Sharma as Basundi Chalu Pandey: Inspector Chalu Pandey's Wife (2024)

## Production
### Development

The producers initially approached the StarPlus and Zee TV channels, to host the series. However, when they rejected their offer, Sony SAB decided to accept the script.
When the series completed 1,000 episodes on 6 November 2012, Asit Kumarr Modi stated that it took eight years to get the show on air:
   "Originally, it was a column in a Gujarati magazine, and I bought its rights in 2001. I approached every channel, but the trend of daily soaps had just started, and saas-bahu shows dominated the scene. Whoever I approached said there was no scope for comedy every day. But I had a feeling that one-day comedies, too, would become a daily trend. Finally, in 2008, Taarak Mehta... came on the air."

### Filming

The filming for the series takes place in Film City in Mumbai. External filming for specific scenes has taken place in locations, for example: Gujarat, New Delhi, Goa and in overseas locations such as Leicester, London, Brussels, Paris, Hong Kong and Singapore.
From March to June 2020, filming shut down in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India. During the same period, it was revealed that it was originally planned for two years and might have gone off-air in 2010 itself as stated by the original plan. The show started broadcasting its new episodes from 22 July 2020.

### Dubbed versions

The series was also dubbed in Telugu as Tarak Mama Ayyo Rama for ETV Plus and Marathi as Gokuldhamchi Duniyadari for Fakt Marathi.

## Crossovers and special episodes

Joshi and Vakani appeared as Jethalal and Daya in another SAB TV sitcom Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo in 2010.
In 2010, the cast of Khichdi made a special appearance to promote their film Khichdi: The Movie. In that same year, Indira Krishnan appeared as Krishnaben to promote her show Krishnaben Khakhrawala.
In the special episode "Anand Ka Safar", it paid tribute to Rajesh Khanna, airing in July 2012 in which the cast members danced to Khanna's songs.
Crossover episodes with C.I.D. named "Mahasangam" aired in July 2014 in which CID visits Gokuldham Society to solve a murder mystery case.
Sumeet Raghavan, Rupali Bhosale and Punit Talreja from Badi Doooor Se Aaye Hai appeared in an episode in 2015.
In December 2021, cast of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah appeared in Kaun Banega Crorepati.

## Other media
### Comics

Comics based on characters from the series were launched as part of SAB Ke Comics series in 2014.

### Spin-off

An animated series based on the characters of the Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah titled Taarak Mehta Kka Chhota Chashmah aired on Sony YAY! since 19 April 2021.

## Reception

In the first week of 2017, the show stood in the fourth position with 6,004 TVT ratings. In the fourth week, the show entered the top five and stood in the fifth position with 6,059 TVT ratings. In March 2017, the show remained within the top five shows urban-rural metrics. From 19 June to 25 June 2017, the show stood at the top spot with 6,092 TVT ratings. Just next week, the show stood at third spot with 6,049 TVT ratings. It is the longest-running scripted show on Indian television. In the first week of 2018, the show topped the chart with 6961 TVT ratings. From 14 October to 20 October 2019, the show stood at the first position with 7952 TVT ratings. From 13 July to 19 July 2020, the show emerged as the number one show after the COVID-19 lockdown with 6477 TVT ratings.

## Legacy and impact

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is one of the longest-running television series in India and has gained a cult status over the years. It completed 1000 episodes in November 2012, 2000 episodes in August 2016, 3000 episodes in September 2020 and 4000 episodes in February 2024.
In February 2015, Dilip Joshi, Disha Vakani, and Shailesh Lodha hosted the red carpet at the 60th Britannia Filmfare Awards to promote the Clean India campaign. In 2018, the Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad took up the show as a case study. It is also one of the most searched television series in India.
Decoding the reason behind Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah's success, Yashika Singla of The Print stated, "The major appeal of the television show is the idea of ethics and 'Indian values' at the very core of its scripts. To its credit, it also talked about a multitude of social issues and created awareness about them in its own light-hearted manner. It also had an age-inclusive cast that set it apart from other family dramas, beyond the confines of a typical female-audience focusing saas-bahu serial."

## Controversies

The show faced a controversy in 2020 when Neha Mehta left the show, stating that:
   I do feel that in many areas discipline and decorum was not maintained on the sets.
In 2022, she claimed that producers of the show have not cleared her dues after leaving the show. Neela Film Productions issued a statement:
   We consider our artist as our family. We have contacted Neha Mehta multiple times to complete the formalities with us. Unfortunately, she has been reluctant to sign the exit documents without which we cannot do a full and final settlement as per company policy. She also stopped responding to all our communication from past 2 years and she left the show without meeting us. We wish she would have replied to our emails instead of making false accusations about the makers that have given her 12 years of fame and career. We reserve our rights for appropriate action.
Shailesh Lodha left the show in 2022, and sued the makers of the show for being underpaid in 2023.
Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal quit the show in March 2023 putting sexual harassment allegations on show producer Asit Kumarr Modi, executive producer Jatin Bajaj, and project head Sohail Ramani.
In May 2023, Monika Bhadoriya accused Asit Kumarr Modi and project head Sohail Ramani of encouraging a hostile workplace. She further claimed that the producers have withheld the money of many artists. She also revealed that co-star Munmun Dutta argued frequently with producer Asit Kumarr Modi.
Palak Sidhwani, who portrayed Sonu Bhide accused the producers of exploiting her. The actor disclosed that she had received a legal notice from the production, alleging that she had breached her initial contract. In an interview with Bombay Times, Palak stated that she had chosen to leave the show for professional growth and health reasons. In response, the production house issued a statement claiming that Palak had violated several important rules in her exclusive artiste agreement. They alleged that she had engaged in unauthorized third-party endorsements and appearances without obtaining the necessary written consent. Palak, however, denied these allegations, asserting that she had informed the production house of her decision to quit well in advance and had followed the proper procedures.

## Awards
### Indian Television Academy Awards

| Year | Category | Recipient(s) |
| 2008 | Best Actress-Comedy | Disha Vakani |
| 2009 | Best Actress-Comedy | Disha Vakani |
| 2009 | Best Serial–Comedy | Neela Tele Films Private Limited |
| 2009 | Best Serial-Comedy | Neela Tele Films Private Limited |
| 2012 | Best Actor-Comedy | Dilip Joshi |
| 2013 | The ITA Scroll Of Honour | Neela Tele Films Private Limited |
| 2014 | Best Actor-Comedy | Dilip Joshi |
| 2014 | Best Actress-Comedy | Disha Vakani |
| 2015 | Best Show – Comedy | Neela Tele Films Private Limited |
| 2016 | Best Serial- Comedy | Neela Tele Films Private Limited |

### Indian Telly Awards

| Year | Category | Recipient(s) |
| 2009 | Best Actor in a Comic Role (Male) | Dilip Joshi |
| 2009 | Best Actor in a Comic Role (Female) | Disha Vakani |
| 2009 | Best Sitcom | Neela Tele Films Private Limited |
| 2009 | Best Sitcom Writer | Raju Odedra and Rajen Upadhyay |
| 2010 | Most Popular Actor in a Comic Role (Male) | Dilip Joshi |
| 2010 | Most Popular Actor in a Comic Role (Female) | Disha Vakani |
| 2010 | Most Popular Child Artist (Male) | Bhavya Gandhi |
| 2010 | Best Sitcom | Neela Tele Films Private Limited |
| 2010 | Best Sitcom Writer | Raju Odedra and Rajen Upadhyay |
| 2012 | Most Popular Actor in a Comic Role (Male) | Dilip Joshi |
| 2012 | Best Actress in a Comic Role (Jury) | Disha Vakani |
| 2012 | Best Sitcom | Neela Tele Films Private Limited |
| 2013 | Actress in a Comic Role (Jury) | Disha Vakani |
| 2013 | Best Director (Sitcom) | Harshad Joshi and Malav Rajda |
| 2013 | Most Popular Actor in a Comic Role | Dilip Joshi |
| 2013 | Best Sitcom / Comedy Program | Neela Tele Films Private Limited |
| 2019 | Best Actor in a Comic Role | Dilip Joshi |
| 2019 | Best Sitcom / Comedy Program | Neela Tele Films Private Limited |
| 2019 | Best Ensemble Fiction | Sony SAB |

### Star Guild Awards

| Year | Category | Recipient(s) |
| 2011 | Best Actor in a Drama Series | Dilip Joshi |
| 2013 | Best Comedy Series | Neela Tele Films Private Limited |