Asit Modi slams actors spreading negativity, Jennifer Mistry accuses him of influencing witnesses: Who said what in Taarak Mehta's controversy

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah recently completed 15 glorious years. The show has had a successful stint on television. While several artists continue to be part of the sitcom, there are several others who have left the show. Some on an amicable note, others on not so friendly terms. This year, the show has been mired in controversy after Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal, who played Roshan Kaur Sodhi, slammed Asit Modi and accused him of sexual harassment. It led many others to speak up. Here's taking a look at the most recent statements made by the actors and producer Asit Modi.

Celebrating 15 years of Taarak, producer Asit Modi decided to let bygones be byone, and start afresh. He said in the episode, "In this 15 year long journey, there are some cast members who left us out of their own will. They got off the train midway but I won't forget their contribution. I praise their hard work and thank them. But I can assure you, we have never thought ill of someone or said anything wrong but if someone has felt hurt, unintentionally, I apologise to them sincerely."

He added, "In these 15 years, we faced a lot of adversities, a lot of people tried to spoil Gokuldham Society's image and a lot of negative things were said but we kept positive thinking. With truth and God's blessings, we faced all the situations bravely. And that is why we have reached this stage. We have never wanted bad for anyone and thought well of everyone."

Jennifer walked out of the show a few months ago, accusing Asit Kumarr Modi of sexual harassment. In her latest chat with ETimes TV, she shared how he was now influencing witnesses. She said, "Gurucharan is one of the witnesses in my case. I got a call on June 9 from him asking me to come and meet him. In May, he had assured me that he would be a witness for me in the court. He had categorically told me he would not comment in the media but will come to the court to support me. However, when I went to meet him, he told me he was called to the office on June 8 and all his pending dues were cleared. I realised he won't speak in my favour. But he told me that he can be a neutral person between Asit Modi and me who can get us to sit across and discuss."

Jennifer didn't hesitate to say that the words used by Gurucharan and the cops, with whom she filed an FIR, were exactly the same. She continued, "I was stunned because Gurucharan was using the same words that the police officials had said a few days ago. The investigating officer had asked me if there is any neutral person who can make us patch up. The same words were used by Gurucharan, I was shocked. I wondered if Gurucharan was told to say so when he was called to collect his pending payment."

She played Rita Reporter in the show but rarely called back after she welcomed her first baby in 2019. She recently told ETimes TV how she was replaced on the show without a courtesy message or prior intimation. Priya said, "I wasn't aware that I was getting replaced on Taarak Mehta. Nobody from their team reached out to me. In fact, I'd messaged Asit bhai on May 5 asking if I am still a part of the show and I did not get any response from them. I messaged Sohil Ramani, Asit Bhai again in subsequent days that they have been really unprofessional. I have not heard from them since the last 8 months and neither of them replied to my messages. So, I announced I'm not part of their show. Till today, they have not acknowledged my message. All I got to know was they auditioned for a new Rita Reporter and shot with her."

In one of her most recent interviews, Priya Ahuja Rajda, who played Rita reporter, said that she was asked not to comment on Jennifer's matter indirectly. She said, "I had got an indirect call asking me not to comment on Jennifer's matter. It agitated me more and I felt I needed to speak. Before that incident, I never spoke about anything. I felt Jennifer was not wrong in saying that she was badly treated on the sets. I am still saying I have no knowledge about the sexual harassment part, but I knew Jennifer was not indisciplined or someone with bad behaviour. Also, after this kind of misbehaviour with actors, how can they always get away? They have all the time to reach out to me and stop me from speaking anything in the Jennifer matter, but they did not find time to reply to messages and queries if I am part of the show."

Monika Bhadoriya, who played Bawri, walked out of the show after makers did not give her dues on time. She told ETimes TV, "Asit Modi is such a big liar. He hired me for Bawri’s role on terms and conditions. He began with a certain amount with a promise that he'd increase it after 6 months. After 6 months, he stopped taking my calls, he ignored me on the sets. After waiting for one and half years, I reached his office. He started yelling at me. Then he agreed to pay me but didn't give me the agreed amount. Unhone mere saare paise maar liye joh decide hua tha woh kabhi nahi diya." She also revealed how it's a male chauvinistic place, and how they humiliate many actors.