I was terrified when Disha quit Taarak Mehta: Asit Kumarr Modi

Over the past few years, there has been constant buzz about Dayaben returning to the long-running TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. Disha Vakhani, who played the popular character, quit the show in 2017, and since then viewers have been wondering whether she will return or if a new actress will replace her.

Recently, pictures of Asit Modi, producer of the show, celebrating Raksha Bandhan with Disha went viral, adding to the speculation. When we spoke to Asit about this, he said, “Yes, this is one question people keep asking me. Honestly, I have never said this before, but I will admit that when Disha quit the show in 2017, I was terrified! Along with Jethalal, Daya was my most important character. Her style and diction became popular across the country, so I did not think of replacing her for a very long time.”


Talking about the rapport they share, he said, “Disha and I share a very cordial relationship and there is no bad blood. I would love to work with her again. After she left, I was hoping and praying that she would return. However, she chose to focus on her family life and became a mother. During the pandemic, when she became a mother again, I realised it wouldn’t be easy for her to come back. We are in touch and recently celebrated Raksha Bandhan.”

Asit admitted that the search for a replacement for Dayaben began around 2022–23, adding, “Our show has recently completed 17 years. Ab paani sar ke upar chala gaya hai and it is high time I bring a new Daya to the show.”