The series takes place at the Gokuldham Co-operative Housing Society, an apartment complex in Powder Gali, Film City Road, Goregaon East, Mumbai, and focuses on the members of Gokuldham Society who come from different backgrounds.
Gokuldham is also referred to as "Mini India" or "the 8th wonder" in the show. The residents of Gokuldham are shown facing many problems and finding solutions for those problems. The show also occasionally highlights social issues. Most of the episodes are based on Jethalal being stuck in a problem and Taarak Mehta, his best friend, whom he calls his "Fire Brigade", rescues him. Society members live like a family and help each other with their problems, to promote unity in diversity. The members of Gokuldham celebrate all the festivals and organize various events.
Cast and characters
Main
Dilip Joshi as Jethalal "Jetha/Jethiya" Champaklal Gada: Champakalal's son; Daya's husband; Tipendra's father; Taarak Mehta's best friend; A Kutchi Gujarati Jain from Bhachau, Gujarat, he is a successful businessman who runs an electronic shop called "Gada Electronics". (2008–present)
Disha Vakani as Daya Jethalal Gada: Jethalal's wife; Champklal's daughter-in-law; Tipendra's mother; Sundar's sister and Jeevdayaben's daughter. She is from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. She is known as "Garba Queen". (2008–2017; 2018; 2019)
Bhavya Gandhi as Tipendra "Tapu" Jethalal Gada: Jethalal and Daya's son; Tapu sena's leader; Champaklal's grandson. (2008–2017)
Raj Anadkat replaced Gandhi as Tipendra. (2017–2022)[2][3]
Nitish Bhaluni replaced Anadkat as Tipendra. (2023–present)[4]
Shailesh Lodha as Taarak Mehta: The narrator of the show who is a writer and poet by profession; Jethalal's best friend; Jethalal refers to Mehta as his 'Fire Brigade'; Anjali's husband. He is frustrated with his boss and his wife Anjali's diet food. (2008–2022)
Sachin Shroff replaced Shailesh Lodha as Taarak. (2022–present)[5]
Neha Mehta as Anjali Taarak Mehta aka ATM: Taarak's wife. She is a dietician (2008–2020)
Tanuj Mahashabde as Krishnan Subramaniam Iyer: A scientist from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Babita's husband. He has a friendly rivalry with Jethalal. (2008–present)
Munmun Dutta as Babita Krishnan Iyer: Iyer's wife; she hails from Kolkata, West Bengal and had a love-marriage with Iyer. (2008–present)
Palak Sindhwani replaced Nidhi Bhanushali: She is now in college.[7] (2019–2024)[8][9]
Khushi Mali replaced Palak Sindhwani as Sonu (2024–present)[10]
Nirmal Soni as
Dr. Hansraj Baldevraj Hathi:[11] 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, who later returned as Hathi due to Azad's death. (2009–2018)[12]
Dr. Vanraj Hathi: Dr. Hathi's younger brother. (2009–2011)
Ambika Ranjankar as Komal "Komu" Hansraj Hathi: Dr. Hathi's wife; Gulabkumar's mother. Often assists her husband. Her catchphrase is Ooh come on. (2008–present)
Kush Shah as Gulab Kumar "Goli" Hansraj Hathi: Hansraj and Komal's son. Member of Tapu Sena. (2008–2024)[13]
Dharmit Turakhiya[14] replaced Kush Shah as Goli. (2024–present)
Gurucharan Singh as Roshan Singh Harjeet Singh Sodhi: A mechanical engineer from Jalandhar, Punjab, who owns a car garage. (2008–2013; 2014–2020)
Laad Singh Maan replaced Gurucharan Singh as Sodhi[15] and Gurucharan Singh returned as Sodhi. (2013–2014)
Balwinder Singh Suri
replaced Gurucharan Singh as Sodhi.[16] (2020–present)
as Sodhi's friend Balvinder "Ballu" Singh Suri. (2019)
Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal as Roshan Daruwala Kaur Sodhi:[17] Roshan Singh's wife; Gurucharan's mother. She is a Parsi woman from Navsari, who had a love marriage with Roshan Singh.[17] (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)[18]
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 : Originating from 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)[19]
Kiran Bhatt replaced Nayak as Natwarlal after his death. (2022–present)[20]
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 (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)
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 Hawaldar Paatil: Inspector Chalu Pandey 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)[21]
Navina Wadekar replaced Bhadoriya as Bawri (2023–present)
Jatin Bajaj as Bhailu: Sundar's friend. (2014–present)
Harshad Joshi as Himself and various other characters
Malav Suresh Rajda as Himself and various other characters
Nilesh Harish Bhatt as various roles (Babu Chipke, Chameli Bhai etc.)
Surbhi Chandna as Sweety: former salesgirl at Gada Electronics who later claimed to be Jethalal's girlfriend to extort money from him however got exposed by Tapu. (2008)[23]
Kari Irwin Otteburn as Kerry: Jetha's namesake sister from London and Popatlal's former love interest. But she married someone else. (2009)[24]
Simple Kaul as Gulabo: Mohan Pyaare's wife; Jethalal's namesake sister. A girl from Matkunda village, Pauri Garhwal district, Uttarakhand who claimed to be Jetha's first wife but lost case after getting exposed and married Jetha's defence lawyer Mohan Pyaare. (2012–2013)[29]
Saroj Khan as herself: Judge for Society's Disco Night Dance Competition (2012)[30]
Tanaya Gupta as Minty/Sapna: A con girl who came to marry and loot Popatlal, but repented. (2015)[38]
Jehangir R. Karkaria as Ishwar Mahadev Khare: A dishonest and cunning trustee of M.K. Gandhi College who asked for bribe from everyone to give admission.
Pratish Vora as Mukadam Babu Bhai: who renovated internals of apartments (2015)[39]
Deepak Pareek as Bhogilal: Jetha's greedy business associate who tried to cheat him and many other businessmen. He was later arrested by Society members' intelligence. His catchphrase was "Bhagwan Sabka Bhala Kare Par Shuruaat Mujhse Kare" (God should help everyone, but start with me.) (2021)[43]
Kajal Pahuja as Bharti: Popat's innocent and short-tempered namesake sister who worked as junior to Popat in Toofan Express and assisted him in Mission Kaala Kauwa disguising herself under the fake identity of Chintamani with Popat disguising himself under the fake identity of Chinta's father Rajamani along with assistance of Dr. Hathi, Jethalal, Champaklal and Bagha. (2021)
Aradhana Sharma as Deepti, a room service lady who is also a spy of the main boss in Mission Kala Kauwa. (2021)
Soni Patel as Sanjana: a receptionist (2021)
Krutika Gaikwad as Vidya; Bhide's cousin sister and Popatlal 's one sided love interest (2022)
Pushkar Priyadarshi as Tillu: Jethalal's Kidnapper (2022)
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.[45]
When the series completed 1,000 episodes on 6 November 2012,[46]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."[47]
From March to June 2020, filming shut down in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India.[50] 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.[51] The show started broadcasting its new episodes from 22 July 2020.[52]
Dubbed versions
The series was also dubbed in Telugu as Tarak Mama Ayyo Rama for ETV Plus[53] and Marathi as Gokuldhamchi Duniyadari for Fakt Marathi.[54]
Crossovers and special episodes
Joshi and Vakani appeared as Jethalal and Daya in another SAB TV sitcom Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo in 2010.[55]
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.[64][65] 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.[66]
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.[67]
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.[68]
Shailesh Lodha left the show in 2022, and sued the makers of the show for being underpaid in 2023.[69]
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.[71] She also revealed that co-star Munmun Dutta argued frequently with producer Asit Kumarr Modi.[72]
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.[73] 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.[74]
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is one of the longest-running television series in India and has gained a cult status over the years.[87] It completed 1000 episodes in November 2012, 2000 episodes in August 2016, 3000 episodes in September 2020 and 4000 episodes in February 2024.[88][89]
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.[90] In 2018, the Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad took up the show as a case study.[91] It is also one of the most searched television series in India.[92]
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."[93]
^Jambhekar, Shruti (23 October 2018). "Gujarat comes alive on TV". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 October 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2018.