After 12 years of playing the role of Anjali Mehta in Sab TV's Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Neha Mehta decided to bid adieu. The actress who started her TV career with the show Dollar Bahu in 2001, quit India's longest-running sit-com citing that she wanted to explore more opportunities. However, it seems that's not the case. Neha, in an interview with a leading daily, revealed that she has reconsidered her decision and had also spoken to the producer Asit Kumar Modi. Neha further mentioned that the discussion didn't go as per plan and eventually she had to move on 'gracefully'.
"I respect Asit Modi a lot… I have the same regards for all the producers whose shows I have done till date. I said 'Sir, this is it. If this is the thing that we want to negotiate and talk, it is fine'. And what then if you are told that you have to handle certain ego issues but if you want to go, you should still go because I have someone else whom I can hire, who is a better prospect for me as I have to pay him lesser? It could happen to anybody. So I am gracefully moving on," Neha told.
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In the interview, Neha also hinted towards groupism on the sets of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. She said, "Sometimes, and on some matters, silence is the best answer. I am not here to say that I was a victim of competition, jealousy, power games and a pinch of ego that makes people blind. If I do, I would be playing into their hands. I have received immense adulation from people, millions must be getting inspired by me. My responsibility says I can't say things to inspire wrongly. Plus, if you dig into the details, nobody will admit that he/she is wrong."
Stating that there came a point where she had to take a decision to quit Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. "It came to a point where I felt that I should stop here. All said and done with all the ifs and buts, a show is teamwork and everyone contributes to it. But apart from this fact, I hold a lot of respect and status in the field of acting as I have done a lot of work in the entertainment world even before Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah happened to me. It's not only Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah that makes me a celebrity, I am a celebrity who's doing Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. Being an educated and sensible person, I had to think. The show was something that was giving me regular work and earning. Few things happen everywhere and you have to make peace with yourself. Did I not think that way? Of course, I did. But still I felt that this was the time that I needed to stop and I was taking the correct step."
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After Neha's exit, the team welcomed actress Sunayana Fozdar on board. When asked Neha whether she is watching the show after Sunayana replaced her, she said, "No I haven't. My best wishes remain with the show. However, I have great respect and dignity for my work. If they and the audience wish so, I will happily continue. I am ready. I am ready to sail in the waters with my wings open. Open the gateway for me."
(Source: Times Of India)
