Producer Asit Kumarr Modi has responded to a growing section of viewers who feel that recent episodes of the long-running sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC) lack the charm of its early years, suggesting that stress — not a decline in quality — may be dulling the comedy for some audiences. The remarks came as the show marked 18 years on Indian television, having aired its 4,774th episode by 28 July 2025.

What Asit Modi Said

Speaking to reporters as the show crossed its 18-year milestone, Modi defended the sitcom's current creative direction by pointing to the natural evolution of its characters. 'There is a change with time. Earlier, my Tappu Sena was small and there were children in the society. There was mischief and fun. Gradually, everyone grew up in the society, so the story also changed,' he explained.

On the question of fading humour, Modi was direct: 'In Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, the laughter is still the same. I think those who are not able to feel the laughter are also under a little stress. I would request them to let go of the tension. Watch it with a free mind and you will laugh too.'

Audience Shifts and the Covid Boost

Modi acknowledged that the show's viewership has not been static. He noted that while some long-time fans may have drifted away, TMKOC gained a significant new audience during the Covid-19 pandemic, when homebound viewers turned to the sitcom in large numbers. 'Some people left and some people came. That's how it is,' he said.

This pattern of audience churn is not unusual for long-format Indian television. Shows that survive past a decade typically undergo multiple creative resets, and TMKOC — which debuted on 28 July 2008 on SAB TV — is no exception. Its longevity makes it the longest-running sitcom in Indian television history.

Reflecting on 18 Years and 4,774 Episodes

Modi described the milestone as both surreal and humbling. 'Thinking about it, it feels like I have achieved something. Eighteen years and now we have reached the 4,774th episode. It feels like it all happened yesterday. Sometimes I wonder how it happened,' he said, crediting the show's success to the collective effort of its team and what he called a force 'beyond our thinking.'

He also pointed to the show's multi-platform presence — spanning television, OTT platforms, and social media including memes — as evidence of its enduring cultural relevance. 'It makes us very happy that people enjoy Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah in different ways even today,' he said.

Comedy as a Serious Craft

Wrapping up his remarks, Modi pushed back against any perception that comedy is a lighter genre. 'Comedy is a very serious business. If you want to make people laugh, you have to write well and present it beautifully,' he said — a comment that doubles as an implicit defence of the creative team currently steering the show.

With TMKOC now well into its second decade, the debate over its current form versus its golden era is unlikely to fade. Whether the show can win back sceptical long-timers while retaining its newer audience will be the real test of its next chapter.