EXCLUSIVE! Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actor Dilip Joshi gets candid about quitting the show and his jobless phase

Popular sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has surpassed all the daily soaps to become the longest-running TV show on the tube. The show, based on the works of celebrated Gujarati writer Taarak Mehta kickstarted in 2008 and recently completed 11 years since its airing. The daily series has given Indian TV some iconic characters like Jethalal, Dayaben, Babita and some notable actors as well. Dilip Joshi, who plays the central character Jethalal, a noble Gujarati shopkeeper living in the Gokuldham society, has been part of the show since its inception. Calling its 11-years run, a "surreal feeling" in an exclusive tete-a-tete with BollywoodLife, Joshi spoke about his journey, the period of being jobless and his co-star Disha Vakani.

"God has been really kind," Joshi expresses his gratitude while talking about his journey on the show. "We haven't got tired yet. Personally, I have not worn out playing this character. It still feels fresh, and there's a lot to do with it." The actor has been playing the character, Jethalal for over a decade now, however, never a slight thought of quitting the show has come to his mind. "Never felt like quitting," he shrugs and adds, "Sometimes you obviously feel fatigued and tired but that's merely physical. There never has been mental tiredness. We in fact look forward to going to the shoots."

Not many know that before signing the show, Joshi was going through a lacklustre phase. There was a time when, as he mentions, he "had only a little work here and there, but nothing concrete." Soon, after a year of being jobless, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah came his way. Joshi admits the show is indeed a blessing in his life. "That one year was like the calm before the storm (in a good way)," he reminisces, "Now life has changed completely." Despite, being one of the most popular faces on Indian TV, Joshi still revisits that time of being jobless. "I do go back to that year. You cannot forget those moments where you were jobless. Those moments keep you grounded. That is when such success doesn't go to your head."

Before stepping into the shoes of Jethalal, Joshi stepped into several shoes of varied characters. Many would still recollect him as the innocent Bhola Prasad from Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! and as several other quirky personas from various TV shows. After playing numerous roles on the big and the small screen, the actor went on to play Jethalal for the longest of time. However, he has no qualms of not being able to play different parts and experiment now. "Jethalal happened quite late in my life. Before that, I did so many characters, that I have no complaints now," Joshi justifies. "Now I feel that Bhagwaan ne itni acchi thaali paros ke di hai toh might as well, usko sukoon se khaao, naaki ye dekhu ki dusre ki thaali mein kya hai."

The 51-year-old feels he is nothing like his on-screen persona. "First of all, I don't have Babita in my life," he jests. Furthermore talking about Jethalal and Babita's quirky relationship on the show, Joshi adds, "I have always maintained from day one that there is no vulgarity involved in Babita-Jethalal's relationship. There's innocence in it and I don't think I have crossed the line."

Since the beginning, Dilip has been paired with actress Disha Vakani in the show. Vakani played his on-screen wife Daya, however, discontinued it post the delivery of her baby. Reports strongly suggest that a new actress is stepping into her shoes to play the character. Ask Dilip how much comfortable he is going to be with the new Daya, he quickly retorts, "Well I don't know, they say - 'Never say never'. It might happen that Disha returns as Daya Ben. I'm hoping and keeping my fingers crossed (for that)." Having said that, the actor is also well-prepared if there is a development in the cast, "Life is life, it goes on. If someone from our family goes, life goes on. You have to adjust. There's no option."

Dilip, however, has second thoughts on any actress replacing Disha. "I think she owns this character. She has worked hard for 9 and a half years. Obviously! (no actress can replace)."

Talking about his bond with the actress, Joshi reveals that the two never shared any personal camaraderie, and remained cordial professionally. "There was no personal bond between us. We only have professional communication. (Like) I congratulated her when she delivered the baby. Or in between, if it's her birthday I message her. But it'll be wrong on my part to talk to her about work."

Dilip reveals that he won't mind doing a movie in the coming future along with the show, "If there is anything interesting..." However, he has no interest in non-fiction shows. "I'm not a reality show person. It's not my cup of tea, and I'm very sure of it."

Concluding the chat, talking about the future episodes of the show, Dilip says, "Hopefully, Daya's entry will be there. That'll be exciting."

from Bollywood News and Gossip | Bollywood Movie Reviews, Songs and Videos | Bollywood Actress and Actors Updates | Bollywoodlife.com https://ift.tt/2OU6Fyu
via IFTTT