Taarak Mehta’s Dilip Joshi reflects on his memorable encounter with Prime Minister Modi; says, “It was overwhelming to see..”

Dilip Joshi, known for his role as Jethalal in the beloved sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, fondly recalled a brief yet memorable interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which left him impressed by the leader’s friendly nature and remarkable memory. Hailing from PM Modi’s home state of Gujarat, Joshi shared his admiration in a recent video for The Modi Story, an initiative on X that showcases the Prime Minister’s inspiring journey through the experiences of celebrities and everyday citizens.


In the video, Joshi recounted how Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, which began in 2008, quickly became a hit, and he was delighted to find that PM Modi was familiar with its main characters and actors. Reflecting on a 2011 book launch event in Ahmedabad, where the show’s creator’s book was released by then-Gujarat CM Modi, Joshi shared how they had prepared a 40-45-minute live performance for him.


Despite his packed schedule, Modi took the time to meet everyone involved. Joshi recalled that when they met again two years later, PM Modi greeted him as “Jethalal” and, in Gujarati, noticed his weight loss, saying, “Jethalal, wajan ochu karyu che” (Jethalal, have you reduced weight?). “It was an impressive example of his sharp memory, as he remembered I looked heavier when we first met two years prior,” said Joshi.


“For me, it was overwhelming to see that a man as busy as PM Modi, who meets thousands, remembered our previous interaction.” In addition to Dilip Joshi, the show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah stars Disha Vakani as Daya, Bhavya Gandhi as Tapu, and Shailesh Lodha as Taarak Mehta.