Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From Dilip Joshi being older than Amit Bhatt to Mandar Chandwadkar leaving his Dubai job for acting; Lesser-known facts about the cast

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has been entertaining audiences for 17 years and continues to be one of television’s most-loved sitcoms. While fans adore the characters on screen, many are unaware of the fascinating facts about the actors behind them. Here are some surprising details you might not know. (Photo: Instagram)

A lesser-known fact is that Dilip Joshi, who plays Jethalal, had worked with Munmun Dutta (Babita) long before they teamed up for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. The two had previously shared the screen in the 2004 show Hum Sab Baraati. When Taarak Mehta was being cast, it was Dilip who recommended Munmun’s name for the role of Babita, eventually helping her land the part that made her widely popular. (Photo: Instagram)

Amit Bhatt, who plays Jethalal’s father Bapuji in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, is actually much younger than he appears on screen. At 51, he is not only far younger than the age he portrays but is also younger than Dilip Joshi, who plays his son and is 56 in real life. Although Taarak Mehta made him a household name, Amit Bhatt has previously acted in several popular shows such as Khichdi, Yes Boss, Chupke Chupke, Funny Family.com, Gupshup Coffee Shop, and F.I.R.. He also featured in the film Love Yatri, produced by Salman Khan’s banner. (Photo: Instagram)

Disha Vakani, who stepped away from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah in 2017 for maternity leave, hasn’t returned to the show since. She became a household name for her portrayal of Dayaben, while Mayur Vakani played her on-screen brother, Sundar. Interestingly, their reel-life bond reflects reality too, they are actually siblings off-screen. Mayur, who is younger than Disha, shares a close relationship with her. Their father, Bhim Vakani, is a respected artist in Gujarati theatre. (Photo: Instagram)

Before stepping away from the screen after becoming a mother in 2018 and again in 2022, Disha Vakani, loved by fans as Dayaben, had appeared in several Hindi films. Her acting credits include supporting roles in movies like Jodhaa Akbar, Love Story 2050, Mangal Pandey: The Rising, along with a few other projects that many viewers may not be aware of. (Photo: Instagram)

Jennifer Mistry, who portrayed Roshan in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah and quit the show in 2023, is a black-belt karate practitioner. She even resumed her training during the lockdown and got back into regular practice. (Photo: Instagram)

Ambika Ranjankar, who plays Komal Hathi in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, was previously seen in Ekta Kapoor's popular drama Kasamh Se. While she is widely loved for her role in Taarak Mehta, many may not be aware of her appearance in the hit saas-bahu serial. (Photo: Instagram)

Mandar Chandwadkar, known for playing Bhide since the very beginning of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, made a major life change before entering the industry. He left a stable, well-paid job in Dubai to follow his long-standing passion for acting. Many fans may not know this inspiring detail. In a conversation with TOI TV, he shared that he struggled for several years after returning to India in 2000. Although he was a mechanical engineer and active in theatre, he couldn’t find the breakthrough he was hoping for. That opportunity finally came in 2008 when Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah offered him the role that changed everything. (Photo: Instagram)