Dilip Joshi reveals he was first offered Champaklal's role in TMKOC
Synopsis
Dilip Joshi almost played Jethalal's father instead of Jethalal himself. At TMKOC's 18th anniversary event, the actor revealed that producer Asit Kumarr Modi offered him Champaklal's role first — and that he nearly turned down Jethalal too, put off by the original thin, curly-haired caricature from a Gujarati magazine he'd read since childhood.
Key Takeaways
Dilip Joshi revealed he was first offered the role of Champaklal , not Jethalal, before joining 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' .
The disclosure was made at the show's 18th anniversary celebrations on 28 July 2025 in Mumbai .
Joshi also hesitated over Jethalal because the original magazine caricature depicted a thin, curly-haired man — unlike him.
The show, produced by Asit Kumarr Modi , premiered on 28 July 2008 on SAB TV and is based on writer Tarak Mehta's Gujarati column.
The ensemble cast includes Amit Bhatt , Munmun Dutta , Mandar Chandwadkar , and Sachin Shroff , among others.
Dilip Joshi, who has spent 18 years bringing the lovable Jethalal Gada to life on 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah', has disclosed that producer Asit Kumarr Modi initially offered him the role of Champaklal — Jethalal's father — before he was eventually cast as the show's lead. The revelation came during celebrations marking the sitcom's 18th anniversary on 28 July 2025 in Mumbai.
The Casting Conversation That Changed Television History
Speaking at a press conference held as part of the anniversary festivities, Joshi recalled his candid exchange with the producer before the show went on air. 'When Asit Bhai gave me the option of Champaklal or Jethalal, I said that I won't choose Champaklal because I didn't look like the character sketch at all,' the actor said.
His hesitation over Jethalal, however, stemmed from an entirely different source — the original source material itself. 'I said won't choose Jethalal either because there was a caricature of Taarak Bhai in a Gujarati magazine. In that, there was a caricature of a very thin and curly-haired man. Since my childhood, I have been reading all that. So, I said, I will try. But, by the grace of God, our journey has come this far,' Joshi added.
About the Show and Its Origins
'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' premiered on 28 July 2008 on SAB TV, produced by Asit Kumarr Modi. The sitcom is based on columnist and writer Tarak Mehta's Gujarati weekly column 'Duniya Ne Undha Chashma' and revolves around the residents of Gokuldham Society, celebrating unity, friendship, and family through light-hearted humour.
Notably, the show's central character — the bumbling yet endearing owner of Gada Electronics — bore little physical resemblance to the original magazine caricature that Joshi had grown up reading. That creative leap of faith, it turned out, would define one of Indian television's longest-running comedies.
An Iconic Ensemble Cast
Over its 18-year run, the show has featured a popular ensemble including Amit Bhatt as Champaklal Gada, Mandar Chandwadkar as Aatmaram Bhide, Sonalika Joshi as Madhavi Bhide, Munmun Dutta as Babita Iyer, Tanmay Vekaria as Bagha, Shyam Pathak as Popatlal, Tanuj Mahashabde as Krishnan Iyer, and Sachin Shroff, who currently plays the titular Taarak Mehta.
Dilip Joshi's portrayal of Jethalal is widely regarded as one of Indian television's most iconic comic performances, a character that has remained culturally relevant across generations of viewers.
What This Moment Means
The 18th anniversary marks a rare milestone in Indian television — few shows sustain both audience loyalty and cast continuity for nearly two decades. Joshi's anecdote underscores how a single casting decision, made on instinct and a touch of faith, can shape the trajectory of an entire franchise. With the show still airing, its next chapter remains keenly watched by fans across India.
Point of View
But it also surfaces something rarely discussed in Indian television — how contingent iconic characters are on last-minute decisions. Had Joshi taken Champaklal, the entire comic architecture of TMKOC would have shifted. Indian TV's longest-running sitcom essentially exists in its current form because one actor looked in the mirror and said no to the wrong role. That the show has sustained 18 years without a format reboot also challenges the industry's assumption that audiences need constant reinvention — TMKOC's staying power is a case study in consistency over disruption.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which role was Dilip Joshi first offered in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah?
Dilip Joshi was first offered the role of Champaklal Gada, Jethalal's father, before producer Asit Kumarr Modi gave him the choice between the two characters. Joshi declined Champaklal, saying he did not match the character sketch, and eventually agreed to play Jethalal.
Why did Dilip Joshi hesitate before accepting the role of Jethalal?
Joshi was initially reluctant because the original Jethalal character, as depicted in a Gujarati magazine caricature by writer Tarak Mehta, was portrayed as a thin, curly-haired man — a look very different from his own appearance. He ultimately decided to give it a try, and the rest became television history.
When did Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah first air?
The show premiered on 28 July 2008 on SAB TV. It recently celebrated its 18th anniversary on 28 July 2025, making it one of the longest-running sitcoms in Indian television.
What is Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah based on?
The sitcom is based on columnist and writer Tarak Mehta's Gujarati weekly column 'Duniya Ne Undha Chashma'. It is produced by Asit Kumarr Modi and centres on the residents of the fictional Gokuldham Society.
Who currently plays Taarak Mehta in the show?
Sachin Shroff currently plays the titular character Taarak Mehta. The show's ensemble also includes Amit Bhatt as Champaklal, Munmun Dutta as Babita Iyer, and Mandar Chandwadkar as Aatmaram Bhide, among others.
