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TV actor Palak Sindhwani, who plays Sonu Bhide in the long-running series Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, says the legal notice issued against her by show producers Neela Film Productions for “breach of contract” is mere “exploitation” as she had conveyed her wish to quit the project. Palak has claimed that it is likely that her decision to leave the show has irked the makers, who are now making her exit “difficult.”
In an interview with Bombay Times, Palak Sindhwani said she had informed the production house on August 8 about her decision to quit the show. The makers communicated to her that she needs to mail her resignation letter to their official email, which was never shared with her. The actor claimed the team “delayed approving my resignation” and was stunned to read articles which claimed that she had had breached the contract.
“I signed their contract 5 years ago and they denied giving me a copy of it. I received a copy on September 19, 2024,” she added. The actor said the makers had agreed to let her continue brand endorsements and she started started brand endorsements on social media post pandemic as well, but all of this was never made into an issue, until she decided to quit the show.
“After I announced my decision to quit, they started this plan of action. I have also taken legal advise and will follow what’s right for my career.” Palak said she wanted to quit the show for health reasons and professional growth and revealed that she also had several meetings with the makers but they couldn’t arrive at any solution.
“This is exploitation, and I never expected this after working with them for five years. Just because I want to quit Taarak Mehta, they are making my exit difficult,” she added.
The formal legal notice sent by Neela Film Productions, through Anand and Naik to Palak Sindhwani for breach of contract outlined the “violations of several key provisions in her exclusive artist agreement”, which have caused “significant harm to the character, the show and the production company.”
“The breaches primarily concern Palak Sindhwani’s unauthorized third-party endorsements and appearances without obtaining the necessary written consent, as required by her contract. Despite multiple verbal and written warnings, these violations continued, infringing upon the exclusivity clause and undermining the integrity of both the character and the series. As a result, Neela Film Productions has been compelled to take formal action.
In response to the legal notice, Palak has responded with the intent of quitting the show. “The production house disputes the allegations raised by Palak in her response and intends to pursue this matter seriously and seek compensation for damages caused to them and the show,” the notice had read.
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