Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah's Nattu Kaka on being trolled: People are insensitive towards senior actors

A still from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. Image source: PR

Recently, it was reported that Ghanshyam Nayak, who plays the role of Nattu Kaka in the popular sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah was unwell. The senior actor was having severe uneasiness in the glands of his neck and had undergone surgery for the same. After a successful recovery, the actor resumed shooting for the serial last month.

However, the veteran star faced the ire on social media with several netizens trolling him for looking weak, commenting that he was trying to hide his illness. The actor has now bashed the trollers, criticising them for being insensitive. Talking to The Times of India, Nayak said, "Some people are insensitive towards senior actors. I want to urge people not to spread such negativity. If I was not looking the part, my producer would not have cast me. I read somewhere that people also commented on my dressing sense. Those who don't have any work spread such negativity. I am not affected by it, because I am happy that even at my age, I am working and would like to continue going to the sets as long as my body permits."

He added, "Everybody gets old one day, and people do suffer from illness. By God's grace, I am totally cancer-free now, and my body has responded to the doctor's treatment. I also shot for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah on December 10 and will continue to be part of the show. This is all because of God's blessings and the support of my producer Asit Kumarr Modi and my family."

In a recent interview, the actor had talked about his illness. He had said, "Eight knots were removed. And, I really don't know how so many had formed. Those knots have been sent for further testing but I have faith in God, jo bhi karega achcha hi karega." The surgery lasted for nearly 4 hours."

He had also talked about how he and his entire team has been missing Disha Vakani on the sets. Disha, who was playing the popular role of Dayaben took off on her maternity leave in September 2017, and hasn't returned on the show since. The actor said, "We are all waiting for years now. It has been a long wait and we are all hoping that she will return. In fact, if she clarifies to the producer, he can also think of a new Dayaben, but that decision is entirely with the production house. She is important to the show and the entire team is tired waiting for her."

The show, which has been running successfully for over 10 years, was recently in the news when Neha Mehta and Gurucharan Singh left the show. Neha played the popular role of Anjali Taarak Mehta while Gurucharan Singh played Roshan Sodhi. Neha was replaced by Sunayana Fozdar, while Gurucharan's role is now played by Balvinder Singh Suri.

Last year, Monika Bhadoriya, who plays the popular character of Bawri had also left the show. Before her, Nidhi Bhanushali, who played the role of Atmaram Bhide's daughter Sonu in the show had quit to concentrate on her studies. She was replaced by Palak Sidhwani.