Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From Rajpal Yadav to Ali Asgar, Kiku Sharda and more; Celebs who rejected the role of Jethalal before Dilip Joshi stepped in

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is one of the longest-running television shows. Dilip Joshi’s role, Jethalal, is one of the most loved characters of the show, and fans enjoy every bit of it. However, not many know that there are several actors who have rejected the role of Jethalal before Dilip Joshi stepped in. Here’s a list:

Dilip Joshi is currently winning hearts as Jethalal in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. From fun banter with Gokuldam wasis to his comic skills, fans enjoy it all. Dilip is one of the most popular actors of the television industry.

Ali Asgar, known for his iconic comic roles, especially on The Kapil Sharma Show, is also one of the actors who declined the role of Jethalal in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. While he hasn’t taken on a major acting project recently, he has won many hearts with his presence on the big and small screen over the years. Despite stepping back from regular appearances, he remains a very well-known figure in the comedy circuit.

Kiku Sharda, best known for his comedy and mimicry on The Kapil Sharma Show, is currently winning hearts on The Great Indian Kapil Show. He also turned down the role of Jethalal in the popular stint. He is currently a key cast member of Netflix’s The Great Indian Kapil Show, now in its third season. Apart from his onscreen work, he is reportedly collaborating with actress Dalljiet Kaur for a new television project.

Yogesh Tripathi, who reportedly rejected the offer before Dilip Joshi stepped in for the role of Jethalal in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, has made a successful career with his character “Daroga Happu Singh” in Happu Ki Ultan Paltan. He continues to entertain audiences with his humor and even plays dual roles on the show. Off-screen, Yogesh has been making headlines for his work.

Ahsaan Qureshi, the stand-up comedian who gained fame from The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, was reportedly offered the role of Jethalal in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, and he passed on the role. After an absence from the screens, he made a comeback in the television show Saru (2025), where he plays the warm and humorous character “Narayan Ji (NJ).”

Rajpal Yadav, one of the actors who reportedly turned down the role of Jethalal in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, continues to win hearts of the audience with his work in the Bollywood industry. He has maintained a presence in films and OTT platforms, and fans love his work. He has been a part of movies like Chandu Champion, Baby John, and the much-anticipated Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 in 2025.

Ali Asgar, known for his iconic comic roles, especially on The Kapil Sharma Show, is also one of the actors who declined the role of Jethalal in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. While he hasn’t taken on a major acting project recently, he has won many hearts with his presence on the big and small screen over the years. Despite stepping ba