Women often face harassment and exploitation at the hands of men, and this issue is even more prevalent in workplaces where power dynamics are at play. A striking example is the case of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actress Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal, who accused the show’s producer Asit Kumarr Modi of mistreatment. In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, Jennifer opened up about her harrowing experience.
Jennifer Mistry opens up about harassment faced by TMKOC’s producer Asit Kumarr Modi
Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal, fondly remembered as Mrs. Roshan Sodhi from the popular TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, has bravely opened up about her painful experiences behind the scenes. While the show has entertained Indian audiences for years with its humour and light-hearted stories, Jennifer revealed that her personal journey on the set was anything but pleasant. In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, she spoke about the inappropriate behaviour she allegedly faced from the show’s producer, Asit Kumarr Modi.
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Jennifer shared that what began as occasional comments slowly turned into deeply uncomfortable interactions. She recalled an incident from 2018, when she approached Modi to speak about the verbal abuse she faced from the show’s operations head, Sohail Ramani. Instead of being supportive, Modi made disturbing remarks. Jennifer quoted him saying,
“Asit ji ke pass gayi unse baat karne Sohail se related toh sab chod ke voh muje bol rahe hai ki ’Sexy lag rahi ho’… Unhone voh phone call mei muje bohot si chizein boli. Baat kuch aur chal rahi hai…Tum kya roo rahi ho. Tum yaha hoti mai tumko hug karta. Mai chance leta. Tumko toh meri padi hi nahi hai.”
This wasn’t a one-time incident. Jennifer went on to recall another shocking episode from March 8, 2019, during a shoot in Singapore. She claimed that Modi made her feel extremely uneasy by suggesting they drink whisky together in his hotel room while her roommate was away. Recounting his words, she said,
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“Tum kya karti ho. Tumhari roommate toh bahar chali jaati hai roz. Aao room mei aake whiskey peete hai. Akele bore naho hoti ho?”
Over time, things got worse. She shared that Modi began asking her inappropriate personal questions, like how many romantic partners she had. On the third day of the Singapore shoot, he crossed another line by trying to get physically close at a coffee shop. It was revealed how he wanted to hold Jenifer and kiss her ‘sexy’ lips.
If this is not traumatising then what is?
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Munmun Dutta took a stand for Jennifer when other co-stars chose to remain silent
Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal’s experience on the sets of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah was not only marked by harassment but also by a painful sense of isolation. In her interview, she broke down in tears while recalling how she froze in fear during the disturbing advances made by producer Asit Kumarr Modi. Seeking comfort and support, she confided in her male co-star Mandar Chandwadkar, who plays the role of Aatmaram Bhide. Jennifer revealed that although Mandar was close to her, he chose to remain silent and did not take a stand.
“I told about this to Mandar because he was very close to me. But he didn’t say anything…”
Disheartened, she then turned to Gurucharan Singh, who played her on-screen husband, Roshan Singh Sodhi. Jennifer said that while Gurucharan noticed Modi’s inappropriate behaviour and would sometimes step in when things went too far, he too was unable to do much. His support, though appreciated, didn’t change the situation.
“I told Gurucharan next because he was also close to me. He couldn’t do much because he was also working…”
However, it was her female co-star and friend Munmun Dutta, who played Babita Ji on the show, who finally stood up for her. Jennifer shared that Munmun, known for her strong personality, confronted Modi and scolded him directly.
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“Munmun was my very good friend. So I told her too. She is a strong woman and scolded him. She said, ‘Why do you trouble her just because she doesn’t say much? Don’t disturb her.”
Jennifer said that Modi was a bit scared of Munmun, and after her warning, he stayed silent.
“He (Asit) is a little scared of Munmun, so he remained quiet.”
This part of Jennifer’s story shows how women often face such struggles alone, and how even those closest to them may choose silence.
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Justice prevails in Jennifer Mistry’s harassment case
After years of silent suffering and finally gathering the courage to speak up when she left the show in 2023. Furthermore, Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal received justice when the court, on February 15, 2024, found Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah producer Asit Kumarr Modi guilty of sexual harassment. The court not only ordered him to pay Jennifer all her pending dues but also directed an additional compensation of Rs 5 lakh. This verdict came as a strong message that no matter how powerful the perpetrator may be, the truth can prevail when one dares to stand up for themselves.
Jennifer’s journey from silence to justice is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Her story is a reminder that even behind the most cheerful, family-oriented shows, there can be hidden truths that never reach the surface.
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What are your thoughts on this harassment case of Jennifer Mistry? Did you ever expect such a thing to happen behind the cameras of a show like TMKOC? Do share via the comments below.
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