Things seem to be not going right in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah Producer Asit Kumar Modi’s life. After Shailesh Lodha filed a case against him for non-payment of dues, yet another actor from the show has levelled some serious allegations against the maker.
Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal, who plays the role of Mrs. Roshan Singh Sodhi in Taarak Mehta, has filed a complaint against producer Asit Modi, Project Head Sohail Ramani and executive producer Jatin Bajaj of alleged sexual harassment at the work place.
Sources close to the show informed that Jennifer has stopped shooting for the show two months ago. She had last shot for the show on March 7 and claims she had to leave the sets after being 'insulted by Sohail and executive producer Jatin Bajaj'.
When digged in, Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal initially refused to comment anything, but when probed further, then the actress revealed, “Yes, I’ve left the show. It is right that I shot my last episode of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah on March 7 this year. I had to leave the sets as I was subjected to humiliation and insult at the hands of Mr Sohail Ramani and the other executive producer Jatin Bajaj."
When asked about what transpired on her last day on Taarak Mehta sets, she said, "It was March 7, my marriage anniversary and Holi when the incident happened. I was asked to get off the sets four times by Sohail Ramani and the executive producer tried to stop my car by standing behind it and was not allowing me to leave the sets. I told them I worked on the show for 15 years and they couldn't forcefully stop me and while I was leaving Sohail threatened me. I have filed a case of sexual harassment against Asit Kumarr Modi, Sohail Ramani and Jatin Bajaj."
She continued, "On the last day, March 7 it was Holi and my anniversary. I had informed 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 give 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."
On being asked why she kept quiet for so long, she said, "I was quiet for two months and did not tell anyone about this and today also I was not ready to talk because the show has given me everything: name, fame, money and I am very grateful for it. But whatever I have gone through in all these years people should know about it. Every person on Taarak Mehta is a bonded labourer."
She kept narrating other incidents that have happened with her in the past, Jennifer said, "There have been many incidents which have happened in the past which I have let go thinking that things will change. Khoon ka ghoot peekar I’ve ignored. Like during pregnancy, I didn’t want to leave the show, they sacked me because Gurucharan Singh (who had earlier played Roshan Sodhi) was leaving. I requested them a number of times and even suggested alternate storylines but they made me leave the show. I was ready to work till the 9 months of my pregnancy but they asked me to leave. There have been many incidents when Sohail deducted my half day's salary even after working for 15 years. I had informed them well in advance of a half day but they purposely called me at my logout time and when I protested they deducted my half-day money. When we complain to Asit Modi he refuses to interfere. There has been continuous mental and sexual harassment."
The actress claimed, "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."
Jennifer added, "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 new comers or junior artists."
Yer there have no remarks made by Asit Kumarr Modi and other producers.