The beloved TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah aired its Diwali special episode, where the residents of Gokuldham society shared how they celebrate Diwali both on-screen and in real life. The episode also featured discussions on the new gaming app created by the Tapu Sena.
Krisnan Iyer (Tanuj Mahashabde)
Tanuj Mahashabde, who plays Iyer on the show, reflected on his 16-year journey with Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. "When I go home, it feels like I'm going to work, and when I come to work, it feels like I'm going home," he said, emphasizing the strong familial bond he's developed with his co-stars.
Talking about the challenges of portraying Iyer, Tanuj shared, “In the beginning, I spoke very fast. I didn’t know South Indian accents, but Asit ji helped me a lot. He taught me, and my senior actors supported me. That’s how I was able to play this character. But I’m still learning because in acting, you're never a teacher; you always have to be a student." He also teased the audience by saying that Diwali celebrations in Gokuldham would be so special that viewers would be surprised. He thanked the audience for their love over the years and promised to continue entertaining them with full dedication.
Sodhi (Balvinder Singh Suri)
Gurucharan Singh, who plays Sodhi, spoke about how Gokuldham residents have been celebrating festivals on the set for the past 16 years. “Whether it’s Holi, Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, or Eid, every festival is celebrated right here on set. We’ve almost forgotten what festivals are like at home because here, it feels like a community. That’s why we call it Mini India,” he said. “The relationships here are so close-knit. Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is like a festival in itself, full of warmth and love."
Addressing the challenge of stepping into a character that was previously portrayed for 12 years by someone else, Gurucharan added, “The actor who played this role before me set a great trend. Now, I have to match that level of performance. But I’m grateful to the audience for accepting me so easily.”
He also gave a heartfelt message about how in today’s society, the concept of joint families is fading, and with it, the joy of festivals. “In earlier times, we had joint families, and festivals were truly enjoyable. I urge everyone to stay connected with their roots and celebrate Diwali with family,” he said. Gurucharan also spoke about the Gada Electronics gaming app, calling it trendy and fun.
Dr. Hathi (Nirmal Soni)
Celebrating the show’s 16 years, Dr. Hathi, played by Nirmal Soni, thanked the audience for their continuous support, saying, “Keep showering us with your love, and we will keep entertaining you.” Reflecting on his role, he said, “Kavi ji played this role wonderfully before me. It was challenging to step into his shoes. But I’ve embraced it now, and the audience has accepted me.”
Dr. Hathi also gave his Diwali message, advising viewers to enjoy the festival while being mindful of safety, especially regarding fireworks. He encouraged people to play the Gada Electronics game and have fun during the festivities and reminded viewers to keep children away from crackers for their safety.
Anjali Bhabi (Sunaina Fozdar)
Sunaina Fozdar, who plays Anjali Bhabi, shared that she enjoys celebrating Diwali on set even more than she does at home. “The gift-giving tradition has already started. This year, I got a new kitten, and I’ll be spending Diwali with my family and the new addition to our household," she said.
On Diwali, she urged everyone to enjoy every moment and cherish time with family. “You never know what tomorrow will bring, so live fully today,” she added.
Nattu Kaka and Goli
Nattu Kaka, played by Ghanshyam Nayak, teased that there would be something new and exciting happening in Gokuldham this Diwali, adding, “You’ll have to watch the Diwali episode to find out what it is!” Meanwhile, Goli (played by Samay Shah) reminded people to be mindful of animals while celebrating with fireworks. “Have fun, but be responsible,” he said, urging viewers to keep pets and animals in mind during the festivities. Goli also mentioned the Gada Electronics and Hungri Goli gaming apps, encouraging the audience to try them out.
Tapu Sena
Khushi Mally, who plays Sonu, shared that this was her first Diwali in Gokuldham and that she was enjoying every moment of it. "Being a part of Gokuldham is a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to many more Diwalis here," she said.
Tapu (played by Raj Anadkat) shared that every day is a new challenge on the show. “When you are constantly learning new things, every day brings new challenges. And we get to learn so much from the seasoned actors here,” he said.
Samay Shah, who plays Gogi Singh Sodhi, added that the special thing about Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is that the cast gets to celebrate festivals twice, once in the show and once in real life.
The Tapu Sena wished everyone a happy Diwali and encouraged viewers to enjoy the Gada Electronics gaming app, also thanking them for their unwavering love and support over the years.
About the Show
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is one of the most popular and longest-running shows in the Indian TV industry, which first aired in 2008. Known for its family-friendly content, strong moral lessons, and humor, the show has gained a massive following. Although many of the original cast members have changed over the years, the show continues to maintain its popularity. Asit Kumar Modi, the show's creator and director, has been the driving force behind its success.
By Priyanka Yadav
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