A lot of people think that Disha and I are married to each other in real life: Dilip Joshi

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is all set to achieve a milestone of completing 10 years on July 28. On the occasion of its 10th anniversary, TimesofIndia.com caught up exclusively with seasoned actor Dilip Joshi, who plays the lead role of Jethalal on the show. From sharing fun memories to missing Dr Hathi aka Kavi Kumar Azad, Dilip Joshi spoke his heart out in this interview.
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"We have managed to achieve this milestone because of viewers love and support. They have been showering love on us since last 10 years and that is our Vitamin. It makes us work even harder each day. The feedback has been tremendous and whenever they meet us they request us not to shutdown this show," said Dilip, thanking his fans.
Dilip Joshi, who has previously done cameo roles in films like Maine Pyaar Kiya and Hum Aapke Hain Koun, considers Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah as the turning point in his career.
"I consider myself very fortunate and lucky that I got this opportunity to play the role of Jethalal. I would like to thank our producer, Asit Modi who offered me the character of Jethalal and made a show like this. I agree that Taarak Mehta has been a turning point in my career. As an actor, I couldn't have asked for anything more. It can't get bigger and better than this for any actor. I think this show in itself is a miracle because every age group right from kids to adults and grandparents everyone loves watching Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. Also, there is no class barrier and not just in India, but our show is popular across the globe. I don't think it has happened with any other show and I feel blessed to be a part of Taarak. I just pray to the almighty to keep us all healthy so that we continue to entertain the audiences till the time the show is on-air," shared Dilip.
The actor, who shares a love-hate relationship with his co-actor Bhide aka Mandar Chandwadkar, revealed a secret about him. He said, "Mandar has this unique quality. He literally disappears as soon as the director says pack-up for the day. So suppose we are performing a scene together and director announces that we are done for the day, by the time I come back to my room, I see Mandar already leaving for the day. I feel if there is any competition on this, Mandar will surely win it."
Recently, one of the key actors of the show Kavi Kumar Azad (Dr Hansraj Hathi) passed away due to cardiac arrest and the news has left the cast and crew in deep shock who are still mourning his death.
Dilip Joshi says that it is very difficult for them to believe that Kavi Kumar Azad will never return to the sets. "We miss him everyday. The news has not sunk in yet. We feel that Kavi is still alive and he will come anytime to shoot with us. We feel as if 'aaj unki date nahi hai shoot ki shayad or he is not available and that's why he is not here, but he will soon be back'. It is very difficult to believe that he will never return to our set. But when you look at a larger picture, a person who is born has to die one day. In our personal life too when a close family member dies it becomes very difficult to cope up with the loss. But life has to go on and time is the best healer. As cliche it may sound but in our entertainment industry we have to work and the show must go on,"
Dilip went on to share that audiences feel that Daya (Disha Wakani) and Jethalal are married to each other in real life too. "It happens with me everyday. The fans and ardent viewers of the show feel that I am Jethalal and not Dilip Joshi. There are so many people who think I am married to Daya and that Disha Vakani and I are husband-wife in real life. They love our chemistry. I think it is a big achievement for any actor to be accepted by viewers as the character," concluded the actor.
Taarak Mehta has been running successfully since 2008.