Exclusive - Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah's Shyam Pathak on dealing with trolls for Popatlal's long-awaited wedding track; says 'I know audiences are...'

Shyam Pathak, famously known as Popatlal from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, remains one of the most cherished characters on Indian television. In a candid conversation with Times of India TV, he discussed the recent AI prediction track, his journey of playing Popatlal for 17 years, and his personal resolutions for 2025. He also shared his perspective on handling negative comments regarding Popatlal's long-awaited wedding storyline. (Photo: Instagram)

The audience loved Popatlal’s recent AI-powered predictions on the show. Using AI, he accurately predicted what would happen with each character, making it really interesting. We’re excited to see all the new things coming to Gokuldham Society in 2025. (Photo: Instagram)

On a personal note, my focus in 2025 will be on two key aspects of my life—my family and my work. I’m fully committed to Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, spending most of my time on set, and the rest with my family. My resolution for the year is to live each day happily and maintain a positive outlook. (Photo: Instagram)

My motto in life is to always be happy, whether I'm on set or anywhere else. I believe in living each moment to the fullest with a positive mindset. If I can achieve this, everything else falls into place. Problems arise when plans don’t work out as expected, but when things go as planned, life feels sorted and stress-free. (Photo: Instagram)

Right now, the Mahakumbh is the talk of the town. It’s a massive event taking place on a grand scale in our country. Hearing about it fills me with pride, knowing such remarkable things are happening here. We should embrace and appreciate the positive events unfolding around us. (Photo: Instagram)

Honestly, I can't imagine myself playing any other role in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. I feel like I'm truly living as Popatlal. People often ask me why I chose this profession, and my answer is simple—acting allows me to live multiple lives within one. As an actor, I get the chance to portray different characters, but after being part of this show for 17 years, Popatlal has become an inseparable part of my life. (Photo: Instagram)

This character is completely different from my real personality—we are like two opposite poles. But I have enjoyed playing it every single day and never really gave it a second thought. Maine kabhi nahi socha ki agar Taarak ka koi aur kirdaar nibhaata toh kaunsa hota. I'm truly happy portraying my role and have never considered anything else. (Photo: Instagram)

I take all the negative comments about Popatlal’s wedding track in a positive light because I know the audiences are emotionally connected with the character. They see us as part of their own family. Every evening at 8:30, they sit together in their living rooms, having dinner while watching our show. It’s heartwarming to know that we bring smiles to their faces and entertain them. Even when I come across negative comments, I take them positively because I understand their emotions. Through this interview, I’d like to say—let’s all pray that Popatlal finally finds his better half in 2025. (Photo: Instagram)

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is the only show that has not taken any leaps and is still running successfully, and the key reason behind this is its simplicity. The innocence of the characters has truly resonated with the audience. People connect with these characters because they see similar personalities in their own surroundings. Every society has a Bhide, a Jethalal, or a Popatlal. This relatability is what makes the show special. We consciously keep it as simple as possible because while presenting complex things can be easy, portraying simplicity is often the toughest task. (Photo: Instagram)

Our tagline has always been that the show is for every age group. Our goal was to create a clean, comedic, and family-friendly show that people of all generations can watch together without any discomfort. We have successfully achieved this, and we are committed to maintaining the same standard in the future. (Photo: Instagram)