Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, 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.

Overview
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.

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 less educated yet 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, who is now studying in college. (2017–2022)
 * Nitish Bhaluni replaced Anadkat as Tipendra. (2023–present)
 * Amit Bhatt as
 * Champaklal Jayantilal Gada: Jethalal's father; Daya's father-in-law and Tapu's grandfather. He is from Bhachau (Kutch), Gujarat. He often teaches Jetha and the other society members various morals and lessons. (2008–present).
 * Jayantilal Girdharlal Gada: Champaklal's father; Jethalal's Grandfather; Tipendra's Great–Grandfather.(2021)
 * 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)
 * Neha Mehta as Anjali Taarak Mehta aka ATM: Taarak's wife. She is a dietician (2008–2020)
 * Sunayana Fozdar replaced Neha Mehta as Anjali. (2020–present)
 * Tanuj Mahashabde as Krishnan Subramaniam Iyer: A scientist from Chennai, Tamil Nadu and also treasurer of Gokuldham society. Babita's husband. He has a friendly rivalry with Jethalal. (2008–present)
 * Munmun Dutta as Babita Krishnan Iyer: Iyer's wife; Jethalal's secret crush; she was a model in the film industry who hails from Kolkata, West Bengal and had a love-marriage with Iyer. (2008–present)
 * Mandar Chandwadkar as Aatmaram Tukaram Bhide: A tuition teacher from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra who runs "Bhide Tuition Classes" in his home in the society; He is 'Gokuldham society's one and only Secretary'; Madhavi's husband; Sonalika's father. (2008–present)
 * Sonalika Joshi as Madhavi "Madhu" Aatmaram Bhide: Aatmaram's wife; Sonalika's mother. A businesswoman who makes pickle and papad. (2008–present)
 * Jheel Mehta as Sonalika "Sonu" Aatmaram Bhide: Aatmaram and Madhavi's daughter. Tapu Sena member. (2008–2012)
 * Nidhi Bhanushali replaced Jheel Mehta. (2012–2019)
 * Palak Sindhwani replaced Nidhi Bhanushali: She is now in college. (2019–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, who later returned as Hathi due to Azad's death. (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. Often assists her husband. Her catchphrase is Ooh come on. (2008–present)
 * Kush Shah as Gulabkumar "Goli" Hansraj Hathi: Hansraj and Komal's son. Member of Tapu Sena. (2008–present)
 * Gurucharan Singh as Roshan Singh Harjeet Singh Sodhi: A mechanical engineer from Jalandhar, Punjab, who owns a car garage. His Parsi wife is also named Roshan. He likes to party and drink which often ends up getting caught by ladies and Champaklal. He is always romantic with his wife. His catchphrase is "Use Te Main Chhaddanga Nahin" (I won't spare him) whenever he finds society members in trouble. (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)
 * as Sodhi's friend Balvinder "Ballu" Singh Suri. (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 only 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. His parents Mr. Diwan and Mrs. Dipika Sahay are R&AW agents and were deployed overseas for many years. (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. Whenever Jethalal assigns him some unwanted work, he pretends to not have heard and shouts, "Hain! Aapne mujhe kuch kaha kya?" (Sorry! Did you say something to me?). He often irritates Jethalal by doing unwanted work and flaunting his English-speaking skills, though he is very loyal and hardworking. He fondly calls his wife Mangalagauri as "Mangoo". (2008–2021)
 * Kiran Bhatt replaced Nayak as Natwarlal after his death. (2022–present)
 * Tanmay Vekaria as
 * Various characters (2008–2009)
 * 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–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)
 * 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. He has a catchphrase, "Hamara Naam Hai Inspector Chalu Pandey Jhuth Bologe Toh Padenge Dande" (My name is Inspector Chalu Pandey and if you dare to lie then I will not leave you through my stick)
 * 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 names, except Bagha, and causes trouble for Jethalal in the shop. She has a catchphrase, "Haye Haye Galti Se Mistake Ho Gayi" (Oh God, I made a mistake by mistake) (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–present)

Guest

 * 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)
 * Kari Irwin Otteburn as Kerry: Jetha's namesake sister from London and Popatlal's former love interest. But she married someone else. (2009)
 * Ayushmann Khurrana as himself (2009)
 * Raju Srivastav as himself (2009)
 * Satish Kaushik as himself (2009)
 * Ruslaan Mumtaz as himself (2009)
 * Sheena Shahabadi as herself (2009)
 * Ajay Devgan as himself (2009, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2020)
 * Sharman Joshi as himself (2009, 2012)
 * Raju Kher as Mr. Chandi Ramani, owner of costliest apartment of society (2010)
 * Nilesh Divekar as Gaffur Ghisela. A vasooli man who comes for Vasooling Gold Money from Aatmaram Tukaram Bhide (2010)
 * Rishi Kapoor as himself (2010)
 * Neetu Singh Kapoor as herself (2010)
 * Asma Siddiqui as Koyal: Anjali's mischievous sister studying journalism, Popat's former love interest (2010)
 * Deepesh Bhan as
 * Rahul: Goli's cousin (2010)
 * Pyare Mohan: Gulabo's husband, Jetha's defence lawyer in Gulabo's case (2012–2013, 2015)
 * Yashpal Sharma as Don Kuldeep Singh Rana (2011)
 * Salman Khan as himself (2011, 2015, 2017)
 * 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)
 * Saroj Khan as herself: Judge for Society's Disco Night Dance Competition (2012)
 * Kareena Kapoor Khan as herself (2012)
 * Sonakshi Sinha as herself (2012, 2022)
 * Boman Irani as himself (2012, 2014)
 * Khushboo Tawde as Bulbul: Popat's former love interest. (2013)
 * Tapasya Nayak Srivastava as Bharti (2013)
 * Hrithik Roshan as himself to promote Krrish 3 (2013)
 * Shah Rukh Khan as himself (2013, 2014, 2015, 2017)
 * Sachin Parikh as Ajay Deewan: A new resident in Gokuldham Society who is from a royal deewan family and has a ruby worth 10 crores. (2014)
 * Shivaji Satam as A.C.P. Pradyuman from CID (2014)
 * Aditya Srivastava as Inspector Abhijeet from CID (2014)
 * Dayanand Shetty as Inspector Daya from CID (2014)
 * Dinesh Phadnis as Inspector Fredricks/Freddy from CID (2014)
 * Janvi Chheda as Sub-Inspector Shreya from CID (2014)
 * Ajay Nagrath as Sub-Inspector Pankaj from CID (2014)
 * Pooja Khatri as Sub-Inspector Ishita from CID (2014)
 * Hrishikesh Pandey as Inspector Sachin from CID (2014)
 * Gaurav Khanna as Inspector Kavin from CID (2014)
 * Ansha Sayed as Sub-Inspector Purvi from CID (2014)
 * Jagjit Athwal as Sub-Inspector Vansh from CID (2014)
 * Abid Shaikh as Sub-Inspector Vikram from CID (2014)
 * Narendra Gupta as Dr. R. P. Salunkhe from CID (2014)
 * Vikas Salgotra as Sub-Inspector Mayur from CID (2014)
 * Amitabh Bachchan as himself (2014, 2021)
 * Nigaar Khan as Sophia (2014)
 * Varun Dhawan as himself (2014, 2016, 2017, 2020)
 * Deepika Padukone as herself (2014, 2015)
 * Priyanshu Singh as Inspector Kiran Sharma (2014)
 * Mahira Sharma as
 * Ekta: Anjali's sister (2014)
 * Host of Ganesh Chaturthi Mahotsav (2017)
 * Tanaya Gupta as Minty/Sapna: A con girl who came to marry and loot Popatlal, but repented. (2015)
 * 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)
 * Ganesh Acharya as himself (2015)
 * Kajol as herself (2015, 2020)
 * Atisha Naik as Mangu Tai (2017)
 * Manisha Yadav as Ratnavali: Babita's friend who uses ratnas to test love however proved to be a troublemaker for Jetha (2017)
 * Navina Bole as
 * Dr. Monica Sharma (2017)
 * Dr. Sara: Babita's friend; Jetha's psychiatrist in his weird dreams track. (2020)
 * Ranveer Singh as himself (2019)
 * 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)
 * 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)
 * Huma Qureshi as herself (2022)
 * Meghan Jadhav as Lord Krishna (2023)
 * Shehzad Khan as Dangermani: Chintamani's younger brother; Raghav's uncle (2023)
 * Puja Bharti Sharma as Anokhi: the girl which Popatlal met in a mall, they go on date on long drive in Sodhi's Jeep. (2024)
 * Lakshmi Mehta as Madhubala Pandey: Lalu Prasad Pandey's daughter. (2024)

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
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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

Monika Bhadoriya who portrayed the role of Bawri, revealed that co-star Munmun Dutta argued frequently with producer Asit Kumarr Modi.

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. 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."