Palak Sindhwani Accuses TMKOC Makers of Mental Harassment and Exploitation, Shares Disturbing Experience Behind the Scenes

Actor Palak Sindhwani, who portrays Sonu Bhide in the long-running TV series Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC), has accused the show's makers of subjecting her to mental harassment, exploitation, and inhumane treatment. The actor, in a four-page statement, claimed that the production team forced her to continue working despite her declining health, ultimately leading to a panic attack on set.

In her statement, Palak revealed that she had been dealing with deteriorating health conditions, which were aggravated by the mental pressure imposed on her by the show's makers. "Due to the harassment, I have been put under tremendous mental pressure which has further worsened my health. Despite a doctor's advice for strict rest and treatment, the production house insisted that I continue shooting," her statement read.

Accusations of Career Sabotage and Unpaid Dues

The 26-year-old actor, who has been a part of the show since 2019, further alleged that the production house threatened to "ruin her career" and "deactivate" her social media accounts. The accusations surfaced after Palak expressed her intent to terminate her contract and leave the show in August 2024. According to Palak, during a meeting on September 18, 2024, the show's representatives falsely claimed that her brand endorsements violated her contract. "They threatened that the production house has the ability to disable my social media account and ruin my career," Palak stated.

In addition to the mental harassment claims, Palak revealed that her outstanding dues, amounting to over ₹21 lakhs, have not yet been cleared by the production house. She described this as further evidence of exploitation. "This shows that the production house is in breach, not me," she wrote in her statement.

TMKOC Makers Respond

The controversy comes a day after Neela Films, the production company behind Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, issued an official statement accusing Palak of breaching her contract by participating in third-party endorsements and appearances without their consent. The production house stated that Palak's actions compromised the integrity of the character she portrayed and the series as a whole.

Palak, however, defended herself, stating that the makers were aware of her social media endorsements and had raised no objections until she decided to resign. She accused the production team of pressuring her to make her exit from the show as difficult as possible.

Despite the ongoing dispute, Palak remains contracted to the show until September 30, 2024, as per her notice period.

A Pattern of Allegations in TMKOC

Palak’s accusations have sparked a fresh controversy for the TMKOC team, which has faced similar allegations in the past. Earlier this year, actress Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal lodged a formal complaint against producer Asit Modi, operation head Sohail Ramani, and executive producer Jatin Bajaj, accusing them of sexual harassment. While Jennifer won the case and received ₹5 lakh in outstanding dues, she expressed disappointment that no punishment was meted out to Ramani and Bajaj, who were also named in the complaint.

Jennifer had earlier voiced frustration over the delayed payment of her dues, stating, "Despite proving Mr. Modi guilty of sexual harassment, no punishment has been given to all three accused." She emphasized the importance of a woman's reputation and voiced dissatisfaction with the verdict.

In addition to Jennifer's case, actor Shailesh Lodha, who played the titular role in the show, also had a legal battle with the makers over unpaid dues. Shailesh eventually won the case in 2023, and the production house was ordered to clear his outstanding payments.

A Show Plagued by Controversy

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah premiered on July 28, 2008, and has remained one of the most popular sitcoms in Indian television history. However, the show has increasingly found itself in the spotlight for behind-the-scenes controversies, with several actors accusing the makers of exploitation, harassment, and financial misconduct.

As Palak Sindhwani’s allegations gain traction, the future of the show, as well as the working environment on its sets, is under intense scrutiny. Whether the TMKOC makers will address these new claims of harassment and exploitation remains to be seen.

The production house has yet to issue a formal response to Palak Sindhwani’s latest statement.