Dilip Joshi AKA TMKOC's Jethalal Says He Misses 'Dayaben' Disha Vakani: 'Our Chemistry…'
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah turns 17 as cast gets emotional about Disha Vakani AKA Dayaben's absence.
Seventeen years on air is no small feat, and Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah hit that milestone with a special celebration in Mumbai. While the cast and crew gathered to mark the occasion, all eyes and emotions turned toward one major absence – Disha Vakani, who famously played Dayaben. And yes, the wait for her return still continues.
During the event, TMKOC producer Asit Kumar Modi shared an update on the long-running casting delay and the hunt to find someone who can match Disha's iconic presence.
'Of course, Dayaben not being there is a huge challenge. Disha set a benchmark for that character with the way she has performed. Finding someone like her is very difficult. I don't know what is God's will, but I hope to find someone soon and bring Dayaben back," he said.
He added, 'I sincerely wish for Disha only to return, but due to personal reasons, she cannot. But even without Daya, my team has supported me, especially Jethalal and Baapuji. The set was always very lively with Daya, and they kept that belief going for 8 years. I have been telling the audience time and again that we will bring Daya, but issues keep arising. Finding a good replacement is also tough because a very strong image of hers is etched in people's minds. But I shall soon overcome this challenge with your love and support."
The show hasn't seen Disha on-screen since 2017, when she took maternity leave and never officially returned. Her absence was felt deeply during the celebration. Dilip Joshi, who plays Jethalal, also had warm memories of working with Disha, especially their chemistry that clicked from the very beginning.
'We have worked from 2008 to 2017, so I definitely miss her. It was a long time, and we did some iconic scenes together. Both of us are from a theatre background, so our chemistry was quite good since day one. Personally, as a co-actor, I definitely miss her a lot, because the scenes were very enjoyable with her."
For now, the show keeps going without its beloved Dayaben, but the team—and the fans—clearly haven't stopped hoping.
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First Published:
July 29, 2025, 08:01 IST
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