Delving into the realm of television sitcoms, 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' has garnered immense popularity over the years. However, like any widely-loved show, it is not without its fair share of criticisms. From repetitive content to stereotypical portrayals, this blog post explores some common critiques aimed at the beloved sitcom.
About The Show 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah'
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah" is a Hindi television sitcom that premiered on July 28, 2008. It is based on the column "Duniya Ne Undha Chasma" written by Taarak Mehta for a Gujarati weekly magazine. The show revolves around the lives of residents living in the Gokuldham Society, a fictional housing society in Mumbai.
It features a large ensemble cast, including Dilip Joshi as Jethalal, Disha Vakani as Daya, and Shailesh Lodha as Taarak Mehta. The sitcom is known for its blend of humor, family values, and social messages. It has gained widespread popularity in India and has become one of the longest-running television shows in the country.
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| Photo Source: Official Facebook Page of TMKOC |
10 Reasons Why Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah Became a fan favorite
"Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah" has garnered a significant fan following and love for several reasons:
1) Humor: The show's lighthearted and family-friendly comedy resonates with a wide audience. Its blend of situational comedy, witty dialogues, and comic timing has brought laughter to many viewers.
2) Relatable Characters: The characters in the show are relatable and represent different aspects of society. Viewers often find familiarity in their quirks, habits, and relationships, making it easy to connect with them.
3) Strong Moral Values: The sitcom promotes strong moral values and addresses social issues. It often conveys messages of unity, kindness, and the importance of honesty, which resonate with viewers.
4) Community Bonding: The portrayal of the Gokuldham Society as a close-knit community highlights the value of friendship, support, and unity. This sense of togetherness resonates with viewers and fosters a feeling of belonging.
5) Cultural Representation: The show presents the vibrant culture of Gujarat, showcasing traditions, festivals, and regional customs. This representation appeals to viewers who appreciate the celebration of diversity and different cultural nuances.
6) Clean Entertainment: "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah" provides wholesome and family-friendly entertainment. Its clean humor and absence of objectionable content suit viewers of all ages.
7) Positive Vibes: The sitcom radiates positivity and optimism. It aims to spread joy, laughter, and a positive outlook on life, offering an escape from the daily stresses of reality.
8) Consistency and Longevity: The show's ability to maintain its quality and entertainment value over a long period has earned the trust and loyalty of its viewers. Its consistent presence on television has made it a part of many households.
9) Ensemble Cast: The talented cast, with their memorable performances and chemistry, has contributed to the show's success. Each character brings a unique flavor and adds to the overall appeal.
10) Familiar Settings: The relatable setting of a housing society and the everyday situations faced by its residents strike a chord with viewers, making them feel connected to the show's narrative.
Combined, these factors have contributed to the immense popularity enjoyed by the show among its viewers.
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| Photo Source: Official Facebook Page of TMKOC |
What went wrong with the show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah in recent times?
During the early years, "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah" had been relatively free from major controversies throughout its run. However, like any long-running television show, lately, there have been a few controversies and incidents associated with the show. Here are a few examples:
1) Disha Vakani's Exit:
Disha Vakani, who portrayed the popular character Dayaben, took a maternity break from the show in 2017. However, her return to the show has been uncertain, leading to speculation and occasional controversies surrounding her departure and a potential comeback.
2) Alleged Payment Disputes:
There have been occasional reports and rumors of payment disputes between the production team and some actors in the show. This has even led one of the lead actors, Shailesh Lodha to quit the show and take a legal route to settle the payment dues.
3) Controversial Statements:
In 2020, one of the show's actors, Munmun Dutta, who plays Babita Ji, made a controversial remark during a YouTube video, which was deemed offensive and derogatory. She later issued an apology for her words, and the incident generated some backlash and controversy.
4) Sexual Harassment Allegations:
Recently one of the actors from the show, Jennifer Mistry, who plays Mrs. Roshan Singh Sodhi, filed a case against the producer Asit Kumar Modi for sexual harassment. These shocking revelations were also supported by other former actors from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.
5) Toxic Work Environment:
The cast and crew who have left the show have spoken out about the toxic work environment on the sets. These allegations include body shaming, wherein the actor Monika Bhadoriya has shared how she was forced to lose weight and tortured. The actress shares that the makers do not follow the guidelines laid out by Cine and TV Artistes’ Association.
Lately, these controversies have been impacting the overall success and popularity of the show. "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah" continues to enjoy a dedicated fanbase and maintains a largely positive reputation.
7 Common Criticisms of the Show "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah"
While the show has enjoyed immense popularity and has a dedicated fanbase, there are some criticisms and concerns that have been raised by viewers and critics. Here are 7 common criticisms of the show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah:
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| Photo Source: Official Facebook Page of TMKOC |
1) Repetitive and Toxic Content:
One of the major criticisms of the show is its repetitive content. The storyline often revolves around the same themes and situations, leading to a lack of freshness and creativity. Many viewers feel that the show has become formulaic and predictable.
Each character in the show portrays a toxic characteristic. For e.g. Why is Anjali forcing her "healthy eating habits" down her husband's throat? How is it ok for Popatlal to flirt with every young single woman he comes across? Why is Iyer shamed for his skin color? How is it ok for Jethalal, a married man, to openly swoon over Babita, a married woman?
2) Stereotypical Characters:
The show features a large ensemble cast, and some of the characters are seen as stereotypical representations of certain communities or professions. This has drawn criticism for perpetuating stereotypes and not showcasing a more diverse range of characters.
Even though the society has people of different religions residing in it, people of certain religions and communities have been excluded. The show predominantly focuses on the lives of Gujarati characters, leading to a lack of representation of other regional cultures and backgrounds. For eg. why aren't any Christian or Muslim families a part of the Gokuldham society?
3) Lack of Realism:
The show often portrays unrealistic scenarios and exaggerated situations, which can make it difficult for some viewers to connect with the characters or storylines. The comedy in the show heavily relies on slapstick humor, which some viewers find repetitive and lacking in sophistication.
Tappu himself is over-glorified, over-pampered, and given too much attention. The families are shown to be way too sanskaari. The problems and conflicts are often resolved within a single episode or two, with a positive outcome for all involved. Real-life issues are typically more complex and can take longer to resolve. The show's tendency to provide quick and convenient solutions can contribute to its lack of realism.
4) Dragged-out Storylines:
The plotlines in the show are often prolonged, stretched, and at times, even senseless. This leads to a slow pace and unnecessary filler episodes. Many characters in the show have not shown significant growth or development over the years, leading to a lack of depth and progression.
For e.g. the plot revolving around the wedding of Popatlal repeats quite often. Every time, the plot ends on the same note with Popatlal unable to get married. Some storylines just make no sense. Some plotlines are questionable. The whole Gokhuldam Premier League plotline was dragged on for too long. So was the plotline of the ghost in the society.
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| Photo Source: Official Facebook Page of TMKOC |
5) Lack of Evolution and Character Growth:
Despite being on the air for a long time, the show has not shown significant evolution in terms of storytelling or character arcs. The show has been accused of lacking originality, with some viewers pointing out similarities to other sitcoms and the repetitive nature of its content.
The overall structure and format have remained largely unchanged, which can make the show feel stagnant and repetitive. Viewers have also criticized the show for perpetuating stereotypes related to various communities, which can reinforce biases and misconceptions.
Female characters (Mahila Mandal) in the show are often limited to traditional gender roles. And why hasn't Tapu Sena started working yet? They have been in college forever now. When will Popatlal actually get married?
6) Overemphasis on Moral Messages:
The show often includes moral lessons and messages in its episodes, which some viewers find forced and preachy. The heavy emphasis on imparting moral values can sometimes overshadow the comedic aspects of the show. At times viewers feel that these topics are not handled with enough sensitivity or depth.
The housing society in which the show is set is often portrayed as a utopian community. The residents of Gokuldham Society are portrayed as exceptionally moral, helpful, and united in their values. This utopian portrayal may seem disconnected from the complexities and challenges of real-life communities.
7) Shortcomings in Acting
Most of the time, the viewers have criticized certain actors on the show for their over-the-top and exaggerated performances, which can detract from the overall viewing experience. At the moment, it feels like it is just Dilip Joshi who is carrying the show.
The humor in the show has not evolved with time and relies on outdated comedic tropes. Certain characters (like Abdul) on the show are underutilized and do not receive enough screen time or meaningful storylines.
The whole Mahila Mandal, Sundarlal and Tapu Sena segments get cringe-worthy most of the time. While the main cast of the show receives significant attention, the supporting cast needs to be adequately developed or given substantial roles.
Conclusion
It's important to remember that Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is primarily a comedy show meant to entertain its audience. While it may not strive for strict realism, it has found success by offering light-hearted humor and relatable moments that resonate with viewers.
It's worth mentioning that these criticisms do not diminish the show's immense popularity and the enjoyment it brings to a significant number of viewers. The show continues to enjoy a massive fan following in India and abroad.
What do you think of the show? Do you enjoy watching it? Has it lost its charm? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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