The television comedy staple Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has just completed 18 years on air, and to mark the occasion, producer Asit Modi sat down with Jethalal, Babita ji and the rest of the cast for a press conference on Tuesday. During the conversation, Modi revealed a striking detail about Amit Bhatt, the actor who plays Champak Chacha: for two straight years, Bhatt shaved his head to stay true to the character's look.
Two years of shaving for Champak Chacha
Modi explained that when he first cast Amit Bhatt for the role, he told him upfront that his father had no hair, meaning the character needed to look completely bald. From then on, Bhatt visited the salon regularly for two years, shaving his head each time and giving up his hair entirely for the part. Modi described it as an act of devotion, saying, I feel it was like offering your hair to God. He added that Bhatt gave his hair to the show wholeheartedly, and that the show has continued to be blessed with the audience's affection as a result.
Dilip Joshi was first offered Champaklal
Also at the press conference, actor Dilip Joshi looked back on how his own casting came about. He revealed that before the show began, he was initially offered the role of Champaklal, Jethalal's father, but was later chosen instead for the show's lead character, Jethalal. Joshi recalled that when Asit Modi gave him the choice between playing Champaklal or Jethalal, he turned down Champaklal outright because he felt he did not match that character's look and image at all.
He also hesitated over playing Jethalal
Joshi said he did not immediately agree to play Jethalal either. He explained that a Gujarati magazine had once published a cartoon of the Taarak bhai character showing a very thin man with curly hair, an image he had grown up reading about since childhood, which made him unsure he fit the part. He eventually decided to give the role a try anyway. Looking back on the journey, Joshi said, By God's grace, our journey has reached this far.
Jethalal, the face of Gada Electronics
Over the years, Dilip Joshi's portrayal of Jethalal, the owner of Gada Electronics, has earned him a special place in viewers' hearts. The character is widely regarded as one of the most popular and memorable comedy characters on Indian television, a legacy that continues to resonate with audiences just as strongly even 18 years after the show first went on air.
