For millions of viewers, the friendly shopkeeper Abdul from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is a familiar and comforting face. But the journey of the actor behind that character, Sharad Sankla, is far more dramatic than many fans realise.
Long before he became a regular part of the famous sitcom, Sharad Sankla had already shared screen space with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. He appeared in the thriller Baazigar (1993), where he played a character named Charlie. A few years later, he also featured in the action-comedy Baadshah (1999), portraying Chauki Lal. Despite these notable appearances in successful films, Sharad Sankla’s acting career did not progress as smoothly as expected.
In an interview, the actor spoke about a particularly difficult phase in his life. Between 2001 and 2007, he barely got acting opportunities. According to Sharad Sankla, it was a time when many production houses preferred to work with their own trusted teams, which meant fewer chances for actors outside those circles. Like many artists in the industry, he experienced a long stretch where work was extremely limited.
Things eventually changed because of a personal connection. Sharad Sankla revealed that his close friend and college mate Raj Premi recommended his name to producer Asit Kumarr Modi who was planning a new television show on a large scale.
At that time, Sharad Sankla was eager for work. When Asit Modi contacted him and explained the concept of the show, there wasn’t even a formal audition process. Sharad Sankla quickly agreed to join the project, seeing it as an opportunity he could not afford to miss.
That decision changed his career and his life as well. Since 2008, he has been playing Abdul, the ever-helpful shopkeeper of Gokuldham Society. Even after more than 17 years on air, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah continues to run successfully. While many actors have come and gone for personal reasons, Sharad Sankla remains one of the steady faces of the beloved show, proving that perseverance can eventually lead to lasting success.
