From doing a theatre play with Jethalal aka Dilip Joshi to working with Aishwarya Rai, A look at Taarak actress Disha Vakani aka Dayaben's journey

Today, August 17, is the 45th birthday of popular actress Disha Vakani. Disha has been in the entertainment industry for a long time and holds a large fan base. The talented actress best known for her portrayal of the beloved character Dayaben on the hit sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has left an unforgettable impact on audiences' hearts. Her role as Dayaben became the most iconic in Indian television history thanks to her superb comic timing and lauded performance. Take a look at Disha's journey on the occasion of her birthday.

Disha Vakani was born on August 17, 1978, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, into a family which was deeply rooted in theatre. Bhim Vakani, her father, is a well-known theatre performer, and she decided to follow in his footsteps. Inspired by her father's tradition, Disha pursued her study in Dramatic Arts. Surprisingly, few people are aware that Bhim Vakani appeared in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. He played the role of Champaklal Jayantilal Gada's friend in the show.

Disha Vakani's career in theatre began at a young age, led by her father, Bhim Vakani. Her acting career began as a young stage performer alongside her father. She appeared in a number of plays, collaborating with a variety of performers along the road. Before doing the sitcom, Disha had already worked with her Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah co-star Tanmay Vekaria aka Bagha.

Very few people are aware of Disha Vakani doing a play with Dilip Joshi. Dilip's play Jalsa Karo Jayantilal had Disha as well. He did a live performance with the actress replacing the actual cast of the show for the fans. Apart from that, Disha and Dilip had very distinctive theatre careers but their paths crossed with Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah where they got paired opposite each other.

Disha made her debut in the Bollywood industry. Disha made her acting debut in 1997 with the film Kamsin: The Untouched, long before she entered the realm of television. She went on to appear in films such as Phool Aur Aag, Devdas, Mangal Pandey: The Rising, and others. Similarly, the actress appeared alongside Aishwarya Rai in Ashutosh Gowariker's Jodhaa Akbar (2008). Disha played Jodhaa's aide, Madhavi, who accompanied her to the Mughal kingdom after Jodhaa exchanged wedding vows with Emperor Akbar, played by Hrithik Roshan.

When Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah premiered in 2008, Disha stepped in to play Dayaben Gada against Jethalal Champaklal Gada (Dilip Joshi). Dayaben, Disha's character, was well-known for her signature "Hey Maa Mataji" catchphrase. Apart from that, her fondness of conversing on the phone for hours with her mother, caring for her small brother Sundarlal, and her friendship with her on-screen husband Jethalal (Dilip Joshi) all contributed to the show's ongoing appeal.

On November 24, 2015, Disha Vakani married chartered accountant Mayur Padia in Mumbai. In 2017, she revealed that she was expecting a child. She went on maternity leave in September 2017 and hasn't worked since. Disha and her spouse welcomed a baby girl into their household on November 27, 2017. Despite her absence, fans have been eagerly anticipating her comeback to the show, and various rumours have suggested that she may consider returning to Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.

Disha became a mother for the second time in May 2022, when she gave birth to a baby boy. Even still, there have been countless instances of speculation about her possible return to the show. While fans of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah miss seeing Disha on the screen, it is unclear whether she will return to the show. Only time will tell whether or not she will make a comeback.