Comedy show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah was recently in the news, after a TV actress accused the producer and production head of mental and sexual harassment. A few other former star cast members also opened up about facing issues with the producer Asit Kumarr Modi and his team. There were even claims of a toxic work environment with the producers forcing his actors to sign exclusive contracts. Modi recently opened up about the allegations, denying having wronged anyone. He told IANS, "Emotionally I feel sad. As I consider everyone like my family. And, again I am saying I have never done anything wrong to anyone. I have tried to keep everyone happy because I am giving happiness every day through my show. Hence, I try to keep my team also very happy, and in a nice and positive atmosphere." He also shared that despite the many hurdles he faced, his show managed to mark 15 years recently. "Hurdles come in every successful work. And those who pass the hurdles, they only succeed in life. So, we are accepting hurdles and challenges, and whatever is happening in and around us, we are fighting it with a positive mindset." "We have never done anything wrong to anyone. We have always kept everyone happy. So, we don't bother, we are clean and pure by heart," he added. For the unversed, the said actor alleged that operations head Sohail Ramani and his assistant insulted her and asked her to leave the set on March 7. Later, the makers sent a notice to her saying they were losing money because of her absence on the set. This is when she decided to approach her lawyer and sent them a legal notice. The TV actress, while speaking to indianexpress.com, said she has proof to back her allegations. She alleged that the producer of the show, on many accounts, passed sexually suggestive comments. She added that she did not speak about it earlier as she feared the consequences. Another TMKOC actor Priya Ahuja, who is married to the former director of the show Malav Rajda had levelled harassment charges against the team. After the director quit the show earlier this year, Priya said the team broke all ties with her. Her issues with the production started way back and escalated in 2020, after shoots resumed post the lockdown. Speaking to indianexpress.com, the actor said the team never called her after the shoot resumed. Given her child was young, she wanted to return to TMKOC instead of taking up a new show. A number of calls and messages to Asit Modi and the team went unanswered or got cold replies. She also said that casual sexism is prevalent on the set.
