From doing small roles in films to making Jethalal the most loved character on TV; Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah's Dilip Joshi's struggles and journey

Dilip Joshi became a household name with his character Jethalal from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. As the actor turns 57, here's a look back at his journey into showbiz. Not only did he win hearts with his performances in Bollywood and theatre but rules the TV industry too. Here's a look back at Dilip Joshi's chat recalling his struggling days to becoming Jethalal in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.

Dilip Joshi began his acting career in 1989 with a small role in the film Maine Pyaar Kiya. He said, "I had a small role in Maine Pyaar Kiya. Main side mein baitha rehta tha. Salman Khan learnt that I come from a theatre background, so he approached me and asked if the scene was good. Everything was shot with precision and professionalism."

Dilip then did the hit films with Shah Rukh Khan, he shared, "I did Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani but before that, I bagged One, Two Ka Four with Shah Rukh Khan. I was told not to get scared. SRK was also from a theatre background and he also would rehearse. So we were reading a scene and I improvised. When he liked it, I felt we were in tune. He is very cooperative."

Dilip shared that he also worked as a Travel agent for five years, during his struggle with acting jobs, "I was a partner in a travel business for five years. It was from 1985 to 1990. I'd be an agent on those line buses. I worked at the job for five years. I quit because it wasn't my cup of tea. I talked with my wife about my desire to become an actor. She backed the decision, which I subsequently shared with my family. My wife remarked, 'We don't have to become crorepatis. We shall do with daal and roti.' Even my father encouraged me to follow my aspirations. Between 1990 and 1994, it was extremely difficult to find and maintain stable employment."

Dilip shared how he barely had funds during his daughter's birth and struggled with Theatre's per-day income, " My daughter was born in 1992, and my bank balance was Rs 25K. Approximately Rs 13k was spent in the hospital. I just had a few plays, but each one was worth roughly Rs 450. I acquired Hum Aapke Hain Kaun and believed my life was set. But once the film was released and became a success, I found myself without a job."

Dilip was out of work for 18 months, and during that, he struggled a lot with having just one play to perform and even his show wrapped up soon, "In 2007, I was doing a play and that got over and I was in a show and that too got over. For the first time in my life, I was getting no calls for work. I had no work. I had two kids and a family, expenses were rising and it was a difficult time. I was established, did good work and kept wondering what else I do. I knew nothing apart from acting. I was in dire need of money."

Dilip recalls he had rejected Comedy Circus as he wanted to do a good role, "During this time, I got Comedy Circus but the jokes were below the belt. They were giving good money. I wanted to do good work, which my family could see. So I rejected the show. Just a month or so after rejecting that, I got Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. That came as God’s blessing. Lifetime ka mamla set hogaya."