Born on June 9, 1978, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah fame actress Neha Mehta became immensely popular after portraying the character of Anjali Taarak Mehta, aka Anjali Bhabhi. While Neha's ancestors hailed from Patan, Gujarat, she was raised in Vadodara and Ahmedabad. (All pictures/mid-day archives and Neha Mehta's official Instagram account)
Neha Mehta holds a Masters in Performing Arts (MPA), and has specialised in Bharatnatyam, with a diploma in drama.
Neha Mehta's father is a popular writer and author and he inspired his daughter to pursue a career in acting. She credits her parents who guided her to pursue Indian Classical dance.
Neha Mehta always wanted to do a PhD and further studies in dance and direction. As she continued classical dance with theatre, acting came her way and that's when Neha started working as a theatre actor.
Her first commercial work as an actor was with Sidharth Randeriya in Mumbai in Tuj Mari Mausam. After performing in Gujarati theatre for many years, Neha stepped in the Telly world in 2001 with the TV show Dollar Bahu.
She bagged her first soap opera 'Bhabhi', where she played the titular character (from 2002 to 2003). However, Neha was later replaced by actress Dolly Sohi.
Neha Mehta was also part of other popular television shows such as - Sau Dada Sasu Na (Gujarati show), Raat Hone Ko Hai (2004) and Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand (2004-2005).
In picture: Munmun Dutta, Neha Mehta, Disha Vakani and Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal
In the meanwhile, she also made her debut on the big screen. In 2001, Neha made her debut in the Gujarati film Janmo Janam. She even tried her hand at the South film industry with the Telugu film Dham in 2003.
In picture: Neha Mehta, Disha Vakani and Munmun Dutta
Well, do you know Neha Mehta also featured in 2008's Bollywood film EMI, starring Sanjay Dutt, Urmila Matondkar and Arjun Rampal? Neha played Urmila's character Prerana's lawyer and friend in the film.
In picture: Cast of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
Roughly in 2008, Neha Mehta was all set to quit acting, pack her bags and go to New York to pursue a course in filmmaking. But life had something different in store for her. She got an offer from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah makers. And the rest is history!
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, one of the most popular shows on the small screen, has been successfully running on the small screens for more than a decade. It sees Neha Mehta playing the role of Anjali Taarak Mehta.
With her character, who is a dietitian, and who always prepares diet food for her husband (actor Shailesh Lodha), Neha, aka Anjali Bhabhi, won several hearts with her acting. Her soft and subtle nature in the show was a pure delight to watch onscreen. In picture: Neha Mehta and Shailesh Lodha
Neha and Shailesh's on-screen chemistry was also loved by the audience, especially how they both supported each other in their ups and downs. In picture: Neha Mehta and Shailesh Lodha
Recently, however, Neha Mehta said goodbye to her much-loved TMKOC character. She has been replaced by actress Sunayana Fozdar.
In picture: Neha Mehta and Dilip Joshi, who plays Jethalal Champaklal Gada in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
Neha Mehta took to Instagram to share a farewell note with her fans. "Hello everyone, and thank you for everything. I've worked 12 amazing years at this amazing show (Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah), and I am forever thankful for the beautiful career I've had. To my amazing respected Asit Kumar Modi Ji, co-stars,tmkoc whole team, I appreciate the hard work you've done completing some of our beautiful journey. I've never had so much fun before. I am so glad to be part of this show, but I will miss the spontaneity of the work and generosity of such brilliant colleagues. Thank you again and all the best for the future. Show must go on (sic)", she wrote.
Well, here's wishing Neha all the best for her future endeavours!
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