The popular sitcom, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has been hitting the headlines for quite some days now. The show’s producer, Asit Modi, executive producer, Jatin Bajaj and operations head, Sohail Ramani have been accused by several actresses on the show of ill-treatment and misbehaviour. Two days ago, Priya Ahuja, aka 'Rita Reporter' of TMKOC, opened up about her ordeal on the show. Now, she gave a detailed description of what happened along with her and her husband-cum-TMKOC former director, Malav Rajda over the years. She also revealed her side of the story about the Jennifer Mistry-Asit Modi alleged scandal.
In an interview with the ETimes, Priya Ahuga was asked if she got any increment on the show, TMKOC. To this, Priya mentioned that despite being part of the show for 5 years, she never asked for any increment. And since teh show had a rule that actors and actresses had to ask for increments after being part of it for 18 months, she never got one. She said:
"Increment? None at all. They (increements) happen after you have been a part of it for 18 months. Then also, you have to ask for it. And then it takes six months more for implementation. If implemented, a lot of Terms & Conditions Apply. But I never asked, toh mera koi increment nahin hua. And they never took me to any show or event where they went to promote 'TMKOC'. After I would realise that my picture is not there on the billboards, they would tell me if I only asked, that their PR team has messed it up! Subsequently, only, it would be rectified. But it was very hurtful. Malav often jokes: Ajay Devgn has appeared in the 'Taarak Mehta' show more than me."
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Priya was then asked about her closeness with co-actress, Jennifer Mistry. To which, Priya mentioned that it was Jennifer and Ambika Ranjankar who helped her come out from the depression that she was going through. She also mentioned the reason behind her depression was COVID, which she got affected by after attending a TMKOC party. However, Priya also mentioned that Asit Modi never passed any indecent remarks to her. Moreover, Priya mentioned that she faced wrong on the professional front and not on the personal front. Priya added:
"Jennifer and Ambika helped me to come out of my depression... Jennifer recommended a therapist to me. She used to tell me a lot of things about spirituality, meditation, and reiki healing. She is a wonderful person, who never abuses. It was so wrong on the 'TMKOC' team's part to say that she abuses. Suffered from depression due to COVID. I had gone to a 'Taarak Mehta' party and after 3 days, I could not smell any odour. I got tested for COVID and it came positive. I had to lock myself in a room for 14 days. The very next thing I knew, Malav tested positive for COVID. Then, he had to remain locked for 14 days. Somehow, all this got to me and it hit me very badly."
Earlier, Priya mentioned that she was constantly texting Asit Modi to know about her role forward until the day she felt humiliated and stopped. Now, when she was asked about the same, Priya mentioned how she also called Asit one day to talk about the same. To this, Asit said, "Why do you want to earn? Sit at home like a Queen. Your husband is earning'." Post this, Priya never called Asit anymore. Following this, Priya revealed why she has opened up about what she and her husband, Malav Rajda had to face over the years and said:
"People on the 'TMKOC' set are talking a lot about Malav and me, nowadays. They are saying that we should not have spoken out. Pray, why shouldn't we? You know, I always held my emotions back irrespective of their behaviour. If I had taken the step to leave, Malav ko sunate. So many times I told Jatin (production guy) that I can't do this show anymore but somehow he always persuaded me to come to the set. The frustration of the uncertainty of my track was eating me. I still kept this show as I didn't want to take any big role in any other daily soap. I had been told that I would be needed 10-12 days every month and I hopefully hung on. I said I have been long enough to ask Asit Modi haque se of where is my character going in the show."
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Further, Priya shared an incident when she went to Daman along with Malav and others to shoot one of the scenes of TMKOC for a month. However, at the end of their shoot, they got the news that their son had an accident and suffered from a head injury. Thus, Malav had to rush towards their son and didn't return to the sets. To this, Asit Modi reacted to it extremely and was also displeased. Priya shared:
"And please note, I told him I am not doing it for money; I wanna work because I am emotionally drained. Main industry mein shaadi karne nahi thi. In the process, I met Malav. But here nobody was understanding. I met with the same fate in Daman where Malav was shooting for 'TMKOC' for a month. I had gone to meet him and Asit Modi asked me to shoot for 3/4 days! You will not believe what happened when my son fell and had to go for head surgery. Malav came running from Daman. Our child was discharged on the 26th and we heard Asit Modi was displeased that Malav did not return to the set. Kya return karta? Their last day was the 28th. Do din mein kya ukhaad leta? Our kid had come home with 17 stitches and they were yet to be opened."
What do you think about Priya's recent revelations? Let us know!
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