Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’s Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal Wins S*xual Harassment Case; Asit Kumarr Modi Ordered To Pay 5 Lakhs As Compensation
In 2023, Bansiwal accused Modi of making inappropriate advances and filed legal action against him and other production personnel. This led to her controversial exit from the show.
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’s Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal Wins Se*ual Harassment Case Against Asit Kumarr Modi. (Photo Credit – Instagram)
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Actress Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal, known for her role as Mrs. Roshan Singh Sodi in the popular sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, has received a favourable verdict in her se*ual harassment case against producer Asit Kumarr Modi.
Times Of India report suggests that Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal sought help from the Government of Maharashtra. When the Local Complaints Committee took over the matter, Asit Modi was found guilty under the Se*ual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act of 2013. He has been ordered to pay Bansiwal her outstanding dues and an additional Rs 25-30 lakh for withholding payment. An additional Rs 5 lakh penalty has been imposed for the harassment itself.
Bansiwal revealed that the verdict came on February 15, 2024, but she was initially advised not to disclose it. While expressing disappointment that Modi didn’t face harsher punishment, she considers this a victory in her fight against workplace harassment.
The case stemmed from accusations of inappropriate behaviour by Modi against Bansiwal. She also filed complaints against project head Sohil Ramani and the executive producer of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah Jatin Bajaj. Following her departure from the show, Monaz Mevawalla took over the role of Mrs. Roshan Singh Sodhi.
Child actors on the show allegedly faced harsh working conditions
Actress Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal had claimed the “Tapu Sena” child actors, including Bhavya Gandhi, Jheel Mehta, Samay Shah, Kush Shah, and Azhar Shaikh, were made to work late nights even when they had exams the next day. In some cases, they reportedly went straight from filming to their exams. Read more here.
Disha Vakani’s absence led to a shift in focus, according to a former director.
Malav Rajda, a former director of the show, suggested that after actress Disha Vakani left the show, the focus shifted towards the male characters. He said characters like Bhide, Jethalal, and Popatlal received more screen time compared to the female actors. Read more here.
