Premium

Taarak Mehta’s Iyer aka Tanuj Mahashabde on being single, relationship with Dilip Joshi, Disha Vakani: ‘She would get food for us’

In an exclusive interview with SCREEN, actor Tanuj Mahashabde said he misses Disha Vakani a lot, says she was very similar to her on-screen character.

4 min readMumbaiNov 19, 2025 02:08 PM IST

Tanuj Mahashabde on TMKOC co-star Disha Vakani

Tanuj Mahashabde talks about TMKOC co-star Disha Vakani (Photos: YouTube Screengrab, Disha Vakani / Instagram)

Asit Kumar Modi created Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has been one of the longest-running shows on Indian television. Running for 17 years with more than 5000 episodes, the actors have also had a long association with TMKOC. Tanuj Mahashabde, who plays the role of Krishnan Iyer on the show, has been one such celebrity who has worked on the show since the beginning. Recently, in an exclusive interview with SCREEN, Tanuj spoke about missing Disha Vakani, who played the popular role of Dayaben. He shared that they are still in touch, and recalled how Disha Vakani always cared for him and other co-stars while she was a part of the show.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SCREEN (@ieentertainment)

Also Read: Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah’s ‘original Tapu’, Bhavya Gandhi, confirms he’s not returning to the show: ‘I have three films releasing next year’

Talking about the show, Tanuj said that life has changed for the better ever since he joined the show. He also wished that he wanted people to know the person behind Krishnan Iyer and spoke about his work equation with other cast members. While on the show, we often see a rivalry between Tanuj and Dilip Joshi’s character; off-screen, they share a great camaraderie. Talking about the same, the actor said, “Dilipji is a very senior actor and I respect him a lot. He has helped me in developing my character on the show. Before this, I also did the first shot of my life with him in Yeh Duniya Hai Rangeen. He is a great actor, and the rivalry you see on screen is purely for entertainment purposes, and people love it to date.”

Tanuj also remembered Disha Vakani and said they are still in touch. Talking about the former Dayaben, Iyer said, “My equation with Disha Vakani was great, we are in touch even today. She is like a sister to me. When my mother passed away, she called me up, invited me home. We used to talk very nicely, and whenever she meets, she is very sweet and respectful. We miss her a lot.”

Also Read | Taarak Mehta’s Disha Vakani is playing a new role, unlikely to return as Dayaben, says brother Mayur: ‘She is doing it with full dedication’

He further added, “She is such a huge star, but she was so down to earth. Disha used to treat everyone equally; she used to get home-cooked food and was so mindful about the co-stars who lived alone. Gurucharan Singh and I are bachelors, so she used to get food for us. The first thing she would ask us was if we had eaten breakfast. Then she would sit us down and give us food; she was so loving. She always wanted to spread happiness. She is just like her character on-screen.”

When asked if he knew anything about Dayaben’s return to the show, Tanuj laughed and said, “This issue about Daya Bhabhi’s return should now be raised in the Parliament. I have no idea when she returns, we are all waiting just like you guys. Only Asit Kumar Modi knows when she returns.”

Nawaz Javed Kochra

Nawaz Javed Kochra is a seasoned entertainment journalist at The Indian Express Online, bringing nearly a decade of expertise to the forefront of cultural reporting. With a focus on the television and Over-The-Top (OTT) landscapes, he has established himself as a prominent voice in the industry, known for his high-profile celebrity interviews and insightful coverage of the Indian entertainment sector. Experience & Career Nawaz holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism from Mumbai University, providing him with a rigorous academic and ethical foundation. In his 11-year career, he has navigated through several of India's leading media houses, building a portfolio that spans digital, print, and broadcast media: The Indian Express: Currently leads coverage of TV and OTT content, producing both written analysis and popular video interview segments. Former Roles: He began his career at the iconic Stardust Magazine and later held key positions at Zoom TV, Zee Multimedia, MissMalini, Bollywood Bubble, and Raindrop Media. Expertise & Focus Areas Nawaz’s beat is characterized by a blend of exclusive access and trend analysis. His core areas of expertise include: Reality Television: Specialized coverage of major franchises like Bigg Boss, providing behind-the-scenes insights and winner profiles. OTT Ecosystem: Tracking the shift from traditional cable to digital streaming platforms, with a focus on web series and digital premieres. Celebrity Profiles & Interviews: Nawaz is celebrated for his ability to foster candid conversations with industry stalwarts, from music composers like Amaal Mallik to other TV legends. Investigative Entertainment News: Reporting on sensitive industry developments, including legal disputes and personal stories of resilience within the acting community. Authoritativeness & Trust With a reputation built on years of networking and credible reporting, Nawaz Kochra is a "known face" in the Mumbai media circuit. His work at The Indian Express adheres to the publication's "Journalism of Courage" standard, ensuring that even entertainment reporting is approached with accuracy, sensitivity, and transparency. His educational background and extensive tenure across diverse media platforms provide him with the authoritative perspective required to analyze the rapid evolution of Indian show business. ... Read More

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.