Times when Shailesh Lodha took a dig at Taarak Mehta's producer Asit Kumarr Modi for his 'dishonesty' and 'pride'

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actor Shailesh Lodha and producer Asit Kumarr Modi have been at loggerheads for quite some time over payment issues. Not just that, Shailesh's desire to work outside of the show was not accepted by Asit leading him to make an exit. Even though Shailesh maintained silence for long, he has taken a dig at Asit for several reasons at different occasions and gradually laid bare all the issues he has had with him.

Last year, Shailesh took to Instagram and penned a satire about insecurity, dishonesty, commitment and lies. Several could easily make out that it was a shot at Asit. One commented, "Whenever I read your poems, I feel that you are saying all this indirectly to Asit Modi."

In another of his couplets, Shailesh had hinted that he would never return to Taarak. And this made a user reply, "Aapki shaili ka sidha nishana Asit Modi per hai Aur ho bhi kyu na usne aapke swabhiman ko thes pahunchai hai (Your style is a direct target at Asit Modi and why not?! He has hurt your self-esteem)."

At a public event, Shailesh Lodha was in no mood to mince words. When he was asked about his reason for quitting the show, he replied, "Those who earn popularity due to the work of an artist cannot be bigger than the artist. Any publisher in the world cannot be bigger than the writer. Any producer cannot be bigger than the actor. He is a businessman. If any businessman tries to overpower the actor or poet in me, I will strongly condemn it."

The actor added at the same event, "In this country, publishers wear a diamond ring and a writer, who wants to get his book published, has to shell out money. If people, who earn from the talent of other people, start considering themselves over and above the talented people, then a talented person should raise their voices. Maybe I am one of those talented people who has raised his voice." (Photo: Instagram)

Shailesh, in an interview with a YT channel, had also hinted, "Kuch toh majbooriyan rahi hongi, yun hi koi bewafa nahi hota," when he was asked about why he left the show. The actor also spoke about his attachment to the show since he was a part of it for more than 14 years.

In his recent interview with BT, Asit Kumarr revealed that he never refused to clear Shailesh's dues but he hasn't completed the formalities till date. He added that he has been hurt with Shailesh's couplets targetted at him while he has never 'bad-mouthed' him. He shared, "If there was a problem, he could have shared it with us, but he filed a case instead. We have a record of emails and text messages sent to him. How are so many people working on the show for the past 15 years if their dues are not cleared on time? Strangely, jab tak aap show ka hissa hain tab tak sab achha aur jaise hi chhod dete hain toh sab bure. I fail to understand this attitude."

Shailesh told BT, "I do not want to comment on the case, as it is sub judice. I would just like to say that Taarak Mehta wasn’t my first show, and I didn’t approach Asit Modi to cast me. I have been an established poet since 1981 and worked in TV shows like Waah Waah, Comedy Circus and Kya Baat Hai before. I will reply to every claim made by Asit and talk about the trail of events with all documents at the right time."