Exclusive - Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah Producer Asit Kumarr Modi on the show ruling the TRP charts, Daya Bhabhi's return, Dilip Joshi's exit rumours and maintaining clean comedy

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has maintained its stronghold on the TRP charts for four consecutive weeks, holding firm at the top spot. Even after 17 years, the beloved sitcom continues to win audiences hearts and achieve new milestones. In an exclusive conversation with Times of India TV, producer Asit Kumarr Modi opened up about the show's popularity, addressed rumours about Dilip Joshi's exit, and spoke about the importance of keeping the show’s humour clean and family-friendly. (Photo: Instagram)

We are truly happy that our show stands apart from the usual daily soaps. It reflects the everyday, light-hearted situations of a common person’s life, which makes it relatable and refreshing for the audience. Our connection with viewers has remained strong over the years. Whether it’s the look and feel of the show or the efforts of our entire team, writers, directors, and actors, everyone puts in their best, and that’s what makes the show unique. It brings me joy to know that even after 17 years, the show continues to live in people’s hearts. (Photo: Instagram)

I don’t give much importance to criticism unless it’s constructive. If someone points out something valid, I try to work on it right away. See, there are two kinds of criticism. One is the kind people do just for the sake of it, especially on social media these days. The other kind actually helps you grow, and that’s the one I pay attention to. I also believe that those who appreciate our work have every right to point out our flaws too. That’s why I focus on staying true to my story. In the early episodes, the storyline was different. Tapu Sena was much younger. Now, they’ve all grown up, and so have the actors playing them. But the audience accepted this change. (Photo: Instagram)

Those who started watching in 2008 have matured alongside the show. Many of them still follow it because if they didn’t, the show wouldn’t be running even today. We are still among the top shows. While earlier people watched it only on television, now they enjoy it across multiple platforms. That’s because over time, the audience has evolved, and so have their perspectives. (Photo: Instagram)

The storyline has naturally evolved over time. Earlier, the charm came from having children in the show, there was a different kind of fun. Now that Tapu Sena has grown up, the dynamics have changed. Still, our society on the show remains vibrant, with a mix of unique characters. We have stayed true to these characters without compromising their essence. That’s what makes this show relatable to everyone, it’s truly a team effort. Every character holds value, and it’s very much an ensemble cast. Even after 17 years, while we had to make many adjustments for the artists along the way, we have all worked together to make it happen. (Photo: Instagram)

The viewers who constantly ask about Daya Bhabhi's comeback are absolutely right. Disha ji truly left a lasting impact. Even though it’s been eight years since she was last seen, her character still lives on in the hearts of the audience. Disha ji's role overpowered the character. Bringing her back isn’t simple, though, and it takes time and the right circumstances. I focus primarily on storytelling. When the narrative is strong, viewers naturally become engrossed in the plot, and the absence of a character doesn’t stand out as much. This show has always been driven by its story. As long as we keep delivering engaging content, people stay connected whether or not certain characters are present. (Photo: Instagram)

The heart of our show lies in its humour. That essence remains unchanged, even after all these years. Creating fresh and funny content isn’t easy, especially when audiences re-watch episodes and can quickly recognize repetition. That’s the challenge, we constantly push ourselves to keep things new and entertaining, knowing that the audience is sharp and expects nothing less. A fresh story each day, but one that connects with people emotionally. They’ve been watching the show for 17 years, and they trust me. That’s a big responsibility. It’s not always easy. People will always find something to criticize and that’s okay. Even big movie stars get trolled. It’s just a part of the job. (Photo: Instagram)

Whenever there’s news about TMKOC, it grabs a lot of attention. Sometimes, even sensitive or misleading things are written about the show. But honestly, I don’t bother about it much. If I start responding to every rumour, it will never stop. Recently, Jethalal (Dilip Joshi ji) wasn't seen on the show for a while because of his personal commitments. But that doesn’t mean he’s quit the show. It's not always possible for the story to revolve around just one character. People start assuming things, but I stay focused on the storyline and ignore these rumours. (Photo: Instagram)

We are careful not to include anything that could hurt someone’s feelings or disrespect anyone. In many comedy formats, people often insult or mock each other for laughs. We have seen how some stand-up comedians get into trouble for crossing the line. But our actors are aware and responsible. We are careful with our scripts too. We never make fun of people. We focus on clean, thoughtful humour. (Photo: Instagram)