Exclusive - Taarak Mehta's Sonalika Joshi: There have been instances when army wives have told us how TMKOC has helped them come out of depression

Sonalika Joshi became a household name after playing the role of Madhavi in Indian Television's longest running sitcom, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. The actress spoke exclusively to ETimes TV last year and in the throwback interview, Sonalika spoke about the heart-touching and hilarious fan moments she has witnessed during the journey of TMKOC. She also spoke about her bond with co-stars, special memories from the show and the actors who have left the sitcom. She also shared fan moments and talked about her chemistry with co-star, Mandar aka Bhide. The actress was all praises for Dilip Joshi aka Jethalal and thanked the entire crew for making the show a success. (Photo: Instagram)

My journey on Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has been a very eventful journey. It is very difficult to pick one memorable moment. But if I had to, I would say because of TMKOC we got to know about so many festivals and be a part of the celebration. I have done Marathi shows as well, but because of this show I got to showcase my dance skills. We have performed at various festivals, we rehearsed for it, we played Antakshari and I also got to sing in the show. And these small things hold a very important place in my heart. We have had a lot of fun during our Taarak journey. (Photo: Instagram)

There are many heart touching fan moments especially the ones when army wives have come and told us how TMKOC has helped them come out of depression as it was very difficult for them to stay away from their husbands. They have shared with us that the show has entertained us and made them realize that they are a part of our family. These messages and blessings are very big for us and it can’t be compared to anything. This shows how attached they are with our show. We feel so happy when they say we are their family and because of us they have a smile on their faces when they watch our show. There have also been compliments that because of our show all the families have once again learnt to be together and no matter what they are doing at 8:30 they get together and watch our show. TMKOC has made families come together and watch television which we used to do as kids. I think we are blessed by God. (Photo: Instagram)

There have also been funny incidents like they feel we are for real. I meet many people who ask if we have a vacant flat in our Gokuldham society. They feel that I run the pickle and papad business and I am a dealer who can help them with flat (laughs). Then I explain to them that it is a set and when we go inside from the balcony there is nothing inside. It is only a wall inside and it is not true. They don’t believe it. There have been so many instances when people think that Bhide (Mandar Chandwadkar) and I are husband and wife. Initially, when Mandar and my family would go together to a restaurant and we would sit with our real families, fans would come to us and ask if we were husband-wife in real life. They would not care that we are sitting with our family. (Photo: Instagram)

We all share a very close bond. Whenever we shoot we have rehearsals and try to enhance our scenes. Jennifer and I share a room on the set, Ambika and I share a spiritual connection and Jennifer is also into healing so she has also joined us. Ambika and I have this habit, we both have our food together. This we have been following since the time we have joined the show. I am connected with both of them. I’ve worked with Mandar in the past so we also share a great bond and also his sense of humour is good, so I enjoy his company. I love laughing. That’s the reason people like our chemistry. (Photo: Instagram)

Dilip Joshi ji is a fantastic person. In true sense he has been the lead actor of the show. Initially, when the show started the way the lead actor or a senior actor handles the show, that he has done. I had worked in Marathi shows a lot before joining Taarak and had only done one or two shows in Hindi, so I always knew that senior actors come on set, do their bit and leave. But he has never done that. He belongs to theatre and he knows the importance of script reading and he has always been present. It was a very big thing for all of us to see that such a senior artist also understands this and we would also feel motivated. In Marathi industry we always say for script reading and rehearsals and when we saw him doing that in Hindi as well, we were so happy. His contribution towards the show actually boosted our energy. I think all the actors on the show will agree with this that because of Dilip Sir, the show has got a lot of help. His contribution has been huge. (Photo: Instagram)

We all miss Kavi Kumar Azad a lot. He was a very loveable person and he would always say shayari. He would never bother about things or get angry. He was so comfortable with the character he was playing. He was very cool. We miss the things he would do on sets. The first he would do after coming on the sets was he would ask what have you got in tiffin. He would get something or the other to eat everyday and he would ask us. (Photo: Instagram)

I am very much like Madhavi in real life and have similarities. Like Madhavi, I don’t believe in saving and running behind money. I like to enjoy life. I also believe in enjoying the moment. Even I like having fun with my friends like Madhavi does with her Mahila mandal. I like cooking as well as Madhavi. I like listening to music and I am a huge fan of Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohd Rafi ji. They are God for me and I have to listen to them everyday. I like reading spiritual books. (Photo: Instagram)

My family feels proud when people appreciate my work and they feel happy. But at the same time it has become a common thing for them. Sometimes it gets difficult because we expect privacy sometimes but people recognise us and they come and meet. It’s fine. Now, they have got to use it. My daughter was very proud when she got to know that FRIENDS TV show was getting compared to Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. She came and told me this news because for their generation it is a big thing. I was also very happy to see this proud feeling on her face. (Photo: Instagram)