Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, India’s longest-running sitcom, is once again at the center of controversy. This time, former cast member Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal has come forward with serious allegations against the show’s production house. Known for playing the role of Roshan Bhabhi, Jennifer opened up to Pinkvilla about non-payment issues, abrupt actor exits, and the treatment of co-stars on the set.
Bhavya Gandhi’s Exit Marked the Beginning of Conflicts
Jennifer began by recalling Bhavya Gandhi’s (the original Tapu) exit in 2017 or 2018. She mentioned that Bhavya’s departure was one of the earliest incidents that exposed behind-the-scenes issues. She said it stemmed from a project Bhavya wanted to pursue outside the show, which eventually led to disagreements with the makers.
Jennifer alleged that the producers withheld his payment after the fallout. “We know about Bhavya’s situation because we were present during the incident,” she said, indicating that it wasn’t an isolated case.
“Withholding Payments Is a Pattern”, she mentioned. Jennifer didn’t stop at Bhavya’s case. She claimed that several other actors, including Neha Mehta (Anjali Mehta) and Raj Anadkat (second Tapu), had also faced similar issues with delayed or withheld payments.
According to Jennifer, “This withholding of payments is something common for them.” She added that, as far as she knew, Neha Mehta had still not received her dues. However, since they hadn’t spoken recently, she couldn’t confirm if anything had changed.
She also alleged that Raj Anadkat had payment issues after shooting in Dubai. She remarked that despite working hard, these actors were left waiting for their rightful compensation for months.
When asked why more actors don’t speak up, Jennifer shared that many fear the repercussions. She said one actress even told her to stay quiet and make peace with the producers instead.
Jennifer recalled, “I was told, ‘Jenna, don’t say anything. Instead, go to Asit ji and touch his feet.’”
Shailesh Lodha Took Legal Route Over Unpaid Dues
The most shocking revelation came when Jennifer discussed Shailesh Lodha, who played the titular role of Taarak Mehta. She claimed that the actor had over ₹1 crore in pending dues, which forced him to approach the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
She even mentioned that participating in a Sab TV program after his exit created additional friction between him and the makers.
Remaining Cast Members Motivated by Money or Legacy
Jennifer didn’t hold back while sharing her thoughts about the current team. She stated that those still working on the show are either doing it strictly for financial reasons or to build a personal legacy.
She emphasized this with a statement: “I’ve been Roshan from the beginning, and I will continue to be till the end.”
