Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal’s accusations against Asit Kumarr Modi, the producer of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, have prompted Monika Bhadoriya, who portrayed the character of Bawri in the show, to share her own experience of “mental torture” on the set.
In an interview with ETimes TV, Monika revealed that during her time on the show, she tragically lost her mother to cancer. Despite the personal tragedy, the makers of the show showed no empathy and expected her to return to work without expressing any condolences.
Recalling the distressing period, Monika said, “When my mother was hospitalized due to cancer, I had to stay by her side every night. However, the production team would call me early in the morning and demand my presence on set. When I pleaded with them to understand my situation, they would dismissively say, ‘Just come, there isn’t much work.’ But when I reached the sets, they would make me sit idle for hours. I even complained to Asit Kumarr Modi, but he told me to focus on work and assured me that my mother would get better. Even after my mother’s passing, he didn’t bother to make a single call. Sohil (one of the actors) would say, ‘Many people’s family members die, but we still have to work.’ They made it clear that since they were paying me, I had to do whatever they said.”
Monika further revealed the extent of the mental torture she endured, expressing that at times, she felt suicide would be preferable to continuing to work in such a hostile environment. The production team would shout at her, behave rudely, and belittle her. Sohil, again, would assert that they were paying her, so she had to comply. According to Monika, the show’s actors were humiliated and treated as if they were not human beings. They would say things like, “Your mother has died, your brother has died, but we paid you.”
Despite the show’s long run of over a decade, several actors have left abruptly, with some speaking out about their tormenting experiences and others struggling to receive their due payments.