Exclusive - Taarak Mehta's Asit Kumar Modi on delay in Dayaben’s return: 'Replacing Disha Vakani is difficult'

Asit Kumar Modi is the producer of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.

It’s been almost 17 years since Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC) first aired on Indian television, and yet, the sitcom continues to be a mainstay in Indian households.

A large part of its charm comes from its wholesome humour, relatable middle-class stories, and above all, the unforgettable characters.

But perhaps no character has left as indelible a mark as Dayaben, played by Disha Vakani — the garba-loving, quirky yet lovable housewife from Gokuldham Society.

Her absence from the show has left fans yearning for her return.

In an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashamh's creator and producer, Asit Kumar Modi, finally spoke about the long-anticipated comeback of Dayaben aka Disha Wakani.

And we also asked him about the challenges of adapting to changing times, to which he said he always listens to the audience and takes their feedback positively.

When Will Dayaben Return?

It’s one question that Asit Modi gets asked everywhere he goes. Disha Vakani, who brought the character of Dayaben to life with her signature laugh, unique diction, and her dialogue - Hey Maa Mata Ji, has been missing from the show since September 2017.

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Disha Vakani took maternity leave that year and hasn’t returned since, leading to years of speculation and social media campaigns urging her comeback.

Asit Kumar Modi and the show's writers never wrote her character off, always leaving the door open for her return.

“I'm often asked when Dayaben will return to the show. I've never shown that the character has exited the show. People still remember Dayaben fondly, even after 7-8 years. It's a tough question for me, as replacing Disha Vakani would be difficult. Any new artist would struggle to fill the void she left. It's not easy for women to balance work and family after marriage. I still pray that she returns to the show. We're serious about bringing Dayaben back, and as soon as she returns, Popatlal's wedding will happen. Dayaben's presence is essential for Popatlal's wedding," said Asit Modi addressing the matter directly.

It clears two things that the team is actively hoping for Disha's return as dayaben; and two, that her re-entry is tied to a key storyline — the long-running joke around Popatlal’s (played by Shyam Pathak) inability to get married.

Why Did Disha Vakani Leave?

Disha Vakani stepped away from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah at the peak of her popularity to focus on her personal life.

She gave birth to a daughter in 2017, and although there were initial talks of her return, it became clear over time that her priorities had shifted.

Reports over the years have hinted at differences in contract terms and scheduling issues between Disha Vakani and the production house, but Modi has never publicly blamed the actress.

In fact, his stance has always been empathetic: "It’s not easy for women to balance work and family after marriage.”

The Exodus of Core Characters

Daya wasn’t the only beloved character to leave the show over the years. The long-running sitcom, now in its 17th year, has seen the exit of several key cast members:

Shailesh Lodha (original Taarak Mehta) left the show in 2022, citing creative dissatisfaction.

Neha Mehta (Anjali Mehta) exited in 2020.

Gurucharan Singh (Sodhi) quit in 2020.

Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal (Mrs. Roshan Sodhi) and Monika Bhadoriya (Bawri) also bid adieu to the series.

Despite these exits, the show has been doing well on the TRP charts and infact was No 1 due to its ongoing Bhootni track.

But Modi admits it’s not easy to keep the show relvant in the age of OTT.

“It's tough to keep the show relevant, especially in the OTT era. With all the negative news around, it's hard to make people laugh. Stress levels are rising. I meet new people and take inspiration from them to work on the show. The audience has given us their love, and we appreciate that.”

Listening to the Fans

In an age where feedback is instant and relentless, thanks to social media, showrunners have to walk a tightrope between creative direction and public sentiment. Asit Kumar Modi says , it’s a balance he constantly negotiates.

“I take fan concerns positively because it's for the audience. I incorporate their suggestions immediately. But there are certain changes that can't be made, so there are limitations. Viewers say that we drag our episodes because they want to see the climax quickly. Patience wears thin, but sometimes one or two episodes might be weak. I pay close attention to that. If some people make negative comments, I ignore them. I don't react to negativity. When I'm happy, I'll make others laugh," he said with a smile on his face.

This candid admission also revealed the high-pressure environment of producing daily content that’s expected to be both funny and family-friendly.

Why TMKOC Still Matters

In a media landscape dominated by streaming platforms, edgy narratives, and short attention spans, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah remains one of the last standing giants of traditional Indian television.

It continues to hold its TRP rankings and commands a loyal audience base, thanks in part to its consistent message of unity, diversity, and everyday humor.

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah was also in news recently for reports that Dilip Joshi and Munmun Dutta have quit. But those reports came out fake as Asit Kumar Modi confirmed to Moneycontrol that the two artists were away for their personal work.

"Aapko maloom hai aaj ka social media kaisa hai? Social media itna negative ho chuka hai ki aap positive soch rakhni chahiye. Aur Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah ekdum positive show hai. Family show hai, khushiyan deta hai. To uske baare mein to kuch logon ko positive sochne rakhni chahiye. Yeh nahi ki kuch bhi chhoti-chhoti baaton par kuch bhi rumour faila do, kuch bhi anachahiye baat kar lo. Woh achhi baat nahi hai [As you know, social media these days has become so negative that you should try to keep a positive mindset. And Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is a completely positive show. It’s a family show that spreads happiness. So some people should think positively about it. It’s not right to spread rumours over small things or say anything inappropriate. That’s not a good thing," he said.

Lekin kuch nahi hai, sab log hamari team ka part hai. Kuch unke personal reasons the to us time nahi the. To aise koi baat nahi hai [“But there’s nothing like that, everyone is part of our team. They were not present at that time due to some personal reasons. So, there’s no such issue.”] he added, firmly quashing all speculation.

He also said he appreciates audience feedback and reiterated that it is always taken positively when asked how he responds to such viewer concerns and recurring online rumours.

“Jo darshak hai... jab mujhe koi personal milte hain aur kuch bhi show par kuch kahaniyon ki baat karte hain, to main unko bahut positively leta hoon. Kyunki darshak hi hamara hai sab kuch. Show unki khushiyon ke liye bana hai [The viewers… whenever I meet someone personally and they talk about the show or its storylines, I take it very positively. Because the viewers are everything to us. The show is made for their happiness."] he shared.

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah first began in 2008 and will complete 17 years of its run on July 28, 2025.