FUNNY business
SANDEEP HATTANGADI catches up with the team behind the super successful TV show, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ (English: Taarak Mehta’s Upside-Down Glasses) is one of the longest running comedy-drama serials on Indian television. It is produced by Neela Tele Films Private Limited and producer is Asit Kumarr Modi. The show went on air on July 28, 2008. It has beamed more than 2600 episodes which is a record in itself.
The show is based on the column Duniya Ne Undha Chashma written by real-life columnist and journalist/playwright Taarak Mehta for Gujarati weekly magazine Chitralekha. We spoke to a cross-section of actors and directors and the producer behind this mega successful show.
Ask producer Asit Kumarr Modi if he thought TMKOC would break all records and he beams, “No, we had no idea that it would go on to become the raging success it is today and break records. We always believed in doing good, sincere work with a focused mindset. The audience loved our show and our hard work and dedication made TMKOC what it is today.”
He believes that it is passion that has kept TMKOC going constantly for the last 10 years. “That has been the driving force over the years. Seeing the audience love the stories and the emotions that we were trying to portray was very inspiring. The energy level and the teamwork displayed by everyone – the writers, directors, cast and crew keeps us going strong.”
Meet Dilip Joshi, the super popular Jethalal, and it’s difficult to keep a straight face, such is the appeal of his character. Talking about being part of this record-breaking show, he shares, “It feels great, blessed, lucky and I thank God that he gave me the opportunity to be part of such show. I am really lucky. There are so many artistes in India, in the world, in Mumbai and I was selected to play Jethalal. Whenever TV history is written, this show will be mentioned. I feel proud to be a part of this show.”
Incidentally, Joshi always felt the show would be a success. “I had been reading the column since childhood and enjoyed it immensely. I was familiar with the characters of Jethalal, Champaklal, Tapu. But who could have predicted that it will be a hit to this level! This is just God’s blessings, and the blessings of my guru Parampujya Pramukh Swami Mansukhbhai Maharaj ji.”
In his opinion the secret to its success is team work alone. “If we look at the cricket team then it wins when all perform on all levels. You make a dish, unless all the ingredients are proper, the dish will not come out well. When each one of us fulfils their obligation, then only it works. All the actors, technicians, directors and the producer are dedicated, focused and consistent. Then it’s a positive show – that is the secret.”
He has found work to be an absolute pleasure because the entire team is so good and all are minus ego issues. “Since so many years we are together that now it’s like a family. We laugh and joke together and enjoy the work. Our producer Asit Kumarr Modi has given us freedom to improvise, and since it’s a comedy, stress levels are not there. We look forward to coming on set,” he declares.
Ask how many episodes will be continued till the show wraps up and Joshi laughs, “Who could predict that? When we began no one thought that we would run for 10 years. We just completed 2600 episodes. Everything that begins has an end but we will not think of that. We will continue spreading smiles for as long as it takes!”
Joshi often wishes he actually lived in a society like Gokuldham, where all are great friends and celebrate occasions together. But if he misses the absence of someone like the gorgeous Babeeta in his life, well, he isn’t telling!
Director Harshad Joshi claims that he does not miss not doing any other show. “That’s because in TMKOC we get all types of stories and I love doing that. In other shows only one story moves round and round, while here, each story is a different film,” he feels.
Tanmay Vekaria who plays Bagha gets emotional talking about the show’s success. “Only those who are blessed specifically by the Almighty can get such a wonderful show. God cannot reach everywhere to make all happy so he selected Asit Kumarr Modi to do the needful,” he smiles. The show, he feels, has shown him all the colors of life, in terms of being professional and personal.
Similarly, Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal who plays Roshan declares that she feels, “Blessed, grateful, lucky and amazing to be part of such a successful show. Every day I thank in tons to be part of it.” Her fave character on the show is Chalu Pandey. “I like his sense of humour on screen as well as off screen. His typical nautanki expressions are awesome.” She admits, “Yes, sometimes I feel that I can do something different than playing Roshan. Being an actor sometimes one feels saturated but then my thoughts return to this legendary show which I am lucky to be a part of, and all the saturation vanishes!”
Ambika who plays Mrs Haathi cannot put her feelings into words – “Some things are felt by heart and enjoyed,” she says. She adds, “Being a creative person and having my first love for theatre I definitely miss working in other shows, playing different characters and exploring one’s inner potential – that is the reason an artiste becomes an artiste.” She is hoping that, as and when the show does end, director Asit will offer her a film.
With rumours floating that a film version of TMKOC is in the pipeline, bigger delights might be in store for the residents of Gokuldham!