Is Palak aka Sonu Bhide leaving 'TMKOC' amidst legal issues
What's the story
The makers of the popular television show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah have issued a formal notice to actor Palak Sidhwani, who plays Sonu Bhide on the show. The notice accuses Sidhwani of participating in unapproved third-party endorsements and appearances without written approval, as required by her contract. This action follows several written and verbal warnings that were allegedly ignored by the actor.
Contract violation
Makers claim character and series integrity compromised
The makers of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah have asserted that Sidhwani's actions have compromised the integrity of both her character and the series. They argue that these offenses violate the exclusivity clause in her contract. In response to this official action, Sidhwani has indicated her intention to leave the show soon. This would mark another departure from this long-running series, which has been on air since 2008.
Previous disputes
'TMKOC' has been embroiled in legal issues before
This is not the first time that Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has faced legal issues. Previously, actor Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal lodged a formal complaint against producer Asit Kumarr Modi, operation head Sohail Ramani, and executive producer Jatin Bajaj for alleged sexual advances. The case was won by Bansiwal but she expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict as it did not include punishment for all three accused.
Unpaid dues
Earlier, Shailesh Lodha also had a legal battle with makers
Before Bansiwal, actor Shailesh Lodha who played the titular character in the show, also accused the makers of not paying his complete dues. This led to a legal dispute that was eventually won by Lodha in 2023. The verdict required the show's producers to pay him the full amount owed. These recurring legal issues highlight ongoing disputes within this popular television series.