Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah's Neha Mehta: After leaving the show, I realized I could do a lot more

Neha Mehta in a still from TMKOC. Image source: Yogen Shah

The resumption of shooting brought in some bad news for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah fans. Neha Mehta, who played the popular role of Anjali Taarak Mehta in the serial quit the show. The actress had opted out after she bagged another show. Neha was replaced by Sunayana Fozdar.

In a recent interview, Neha Mehta talked about her decision to quit the show. She also revealed that she completed the shoot of one Gujarati film. While speaking of it with Dainik Bhaskar, she said, "It wasn't easy to leave Taarak Mehta... After leaving the show, I realized I could do a lot more. I have just completed the shooting of a Gujarati film in which I will be seen in a prominent role. It is a woman-oriented film and is all about woman power. The story of the film is related to modern Nav Durga."

She also said that she was offered two more television projects after her exit but she turned them down. "When I was offered these shows, I wasn't confident about playing those characters and therefore, didn't give my nod", she added.

There were reports earlier, that the actress was seeking to come back to TMKOC. She had even talked to producer Asit Modi about the same. Talking about in an old interview, she had said, "Yes, that happened. I wanted to consider my return. But I want certain decorum and conduct to change on the set. Majority and pressure works in today's times but then, I shouldn't be looking into that and spoil my mind."

Explaining the reason behind her exit, Mehta 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."

"All said and done with all the ifs and buts, a show is a 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", she concluded.

In November, the actress had taken to her Instagram account to confirm the news to her fans. She penned a farewell note for her co-stars and shared it on her Instagram stories. Talking about her replacement Sunayana Fozdar, she is well known for TV shows like Left Right Left, Meet Mila De Rabba, Rehna Hai Teri Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein, Laagi Tujhse Lagan, Qubool Hai, and many others.