Actress accuses 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' producer Asit Kumarr Modi, 2 others of sexual harassment, quits show after 15

'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah', one of India's most loved TV shows, made headlines on Thursday for the wrong reasons.

An actress, who had been a part of the popular TV show for nearly 15 years, has levelled serious allegations against some of the makers.

According to a report by ETimes, she has accused 'TMKOC' producer Asit Kumarr Modi, project head Sohail Ramani and executive producer Jatin Bajaj of sexual harassment and filed a complaint against them too.

A source close to 'TMKOC' told ETimes TV that the actress, who played a prominent role in the show, stopped filming two months ago. March 6 was the last time she was seen on the sets of the show, as per the source. She left the sets after being "insulted by Sohail and Bajaj."

ETimes TV further reported that the actress, after initially refusing to comment - confirmed that she was humiliated on the sets of the show. "Yes, I’ve left the show. It is right that I shot my last episode of 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' on March 6 this year. I had to leave the sets as I was subjected to humiliation and insult at the hands of Sohail Ramani and the other executive producer Jatin Bajaj," she was quoted as saying by ETimes TV.

The matter, allegedly, escalated on Holi when the actress asked for a two-hour break on the occasion of her anniversary. She wanted to spend the day with her family, but couldn't due to a busy work schedule. But her two-hour break request was rejected.Describing the 'TMKOC' as a "male-chauvinistic place," the complainant said that the accused trio always gave preference to male actors.Citing incidents from the past, the complainant said that she was asked to leave the show when they found she was pregnant. She also said that Ramani deducted half day's salary, on several occasions. "There has been continuous mental and sexual harassment," she was quoted as saying by ETimes TV.

Recounting the events of Holi, the actress told ETimes TV, "On the last day, March 7 it was Holi and my anniversary. I had informed them in advance that I want a half day since my daughter really looks forward to that day. She waits for Holi. I even gave them an option that just gives me a two hours break, I'll be back. They made adjustments for everyone except for me. I kept requesting them but they did not listen. They adjusted for all the male actors. It is an extremely male-chauvinistic place. That's when I retaliated and Sohail spoke to me rudely asking me to get out almost four times. Then the creative person Jatin tried to stop my car. All this is recorded in the CCTV footage. This happened on March 7, I thought they would call me. But on March 24 Sohil sent me a notice that I left the shoot and they are losing money. This was ulta chor Kotwal ko Dante. They wanted to scare me. On April 4, I replied to them on WhatsApp that I was subjected to sexual harassment, I sent a draft and they reverted to me saying I was trying to extort money from them. I decided that day, I want a public apology. I took the help of a lawyer. On April 8th, I sent a notice to Asit Modi, Sohil Ramani and Jatin Bajaj and also mailed and sent a registry to all the government authorities. I have not got any revert on the same but I am sure they must be looking into it and investigating the matter."

The actress said that Modi has made sexual advances at her too.

"There have been multiple incidents when he has tried to flirt with me and have made sexual advances. When we were shooting in Singapore, it was my marriage anniversary and at night, he told me, "Now, your marriage anniversary is over, so koi guilt nahi rahega aajao mere room mein dono whiskey peete hain..." He has made sexual comments so many times. Once, he was openly making comments and flirting with me and one of my co-actors handled the situation for me. There was also one incident when he called me 'sexy' and pulled my cheeks. Asit Modi has made sexual advances towards me many times in the past. Initially, I ignored all his statements because of fear of losing out on work. But it is enough now I won’t take it anymore. They tried to forcefully stop me on the sets and were shutting the gates and not allowing me to go out. I sent the complaint mail to authorities a month back but haven’t got any revert. I am sure they must be looking into it and working towards the care. I am sure they must be investigating. I have hired a lawyer and I know I will get justice very soon. I have given my 15 years to the show and if I am treated like this on the set so just imagine what they must be doing to the newcomers of junior artists," she was quoted as saying to ETimes TV.

The actress said that every person on the sets of 'Taarak Mehta' is a "bonded labourer."