Dayaben, a beloved character from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, has been missing from the show for a long time now. Disha Vakani, who brought the iconic character to life, took maternity leave in 2018 and has not returned since. Despite efforts from the show’s creator Asit Modi to bring Dayaben back, he recently confirmed that Disha Vakani is unlikely to return to play the role.
In a recent interview, Asit Modi discussed Dayaben’s absence and emphasised the importance of her character in the show. He acknowledged delays in reintroducing the character, citing various reasons, including the prolonged storyline and external events like elections, sports tournaments and seasonal disruptions, which affected the show’s timeline.
Asit Modi also shared that Disha Vakani is currently focused on her family and raising her two children. He explained that the changes in her personal life make it challenging for her to return to the show. Reflecting on his long association with Disha, he described her as part of his extended family, mentioning their close bond and shared history of working together for 17 years.
Acknowledging the difficulties women often face in balancing work and family life, Modi remained hopeful about a possible return, expressing optimism for a miracle that could bring Disha Vakani back. However, he also accepted the reality that if she cannot return, a new actor would have to step into the role to continue the legacy of Dayaben.
He assured fans that the reintroduction of the character would be marked with a grand welcome and revealed that auditions for the role are currently in progress. Despite the uncertainty, Asit Modi conveyed his commitment to keep Dayaben’s charm alive in the show, whether through Disha or a new performer.
