Hours after Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actress Jennifer Mistry, who played the role of Mrs Roshan Sodhi, accused Asit Kumarr Modi of sexual harassment, the producer has shared an official statement and said that the actress is trying to 'defame' him and the show.
"We will take legal action as she is trying to defame me and the show both. Since we terminated her services, she is making these baseless allegations," Asit Modi said.
'Jennifer lacked discipline on sets'
On the other hand, the direction team of Harshad Joshi, Rushi Dave and Arman said that Jennifer lacked discipline on the sets of the film.
"She lacked basic discipline on the set and was not focusing on her work. We regularly had to complain to the production head about her behaviour. On her last day she was abusive in front of the whole unit and left the set without finishing her shoot," they stated.
'Filed complaint against Jennifer'
Project heads Sohil Ramani and Jatin Bajaj, who also received legal notice from Jennifer, accused Jennifer of damaging the property on the sets of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.
"She regularly misbehaved on the show with the entire team. While moving out from the shoot, she rashly drove her car out at very high speed not caring for people in her way. She even damaged the set property. We had to terminate her contract because of her bad behaviour and indiscipline during the shoot. During this incident Asit ji was in the USA. She is now trying to defame us and the show by making baseless allegations. We have already filed our complaint against these baseless allegations with the concerned authorities," Jatin Bajaj and Sohil Ramani said.
Jennifer quits show after accusing producer of sexual harassment
The actress has quit Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah and revealed in an interview that Asit Modi made 'sexual advances' towards her many times in the past. Initially, she ignored all his statements because of fear of losing out on work.
Jennifer said that on her last day on Taarak Mehta sets, March 7, she wanted half day leave but the makers made adjustments for everyone except her. Jennifer stated that they adjusted for all the male actors and called it an extremely 'male-chauvinistic place'.
She also added that those working on Taarak Mehta are 'bonded labourers'.
"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 added.
Jennifer further said, "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."
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is the longest-running Hindi comedy sitcom that was first aired on July 28, 2008. The show is now in its 15th year with more than 3,500 episodes.
In the last few months several actors have quit the show, including Neha Mehta, Shailesh Lodha, Raj Anadkat and others.
