Monika Bhadoriya expresses How the environment on the sets of Taarak Mehta was characterized by male chauvinism?

Monika Bhadoriya, known for her role in the popular TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC), recently revealed her decision to leave the show due to a male chauvinist environment on set. The actor made serious allegations against the makers, stating that she had faced delayed payment, contractual ambiguity, and overall mistreatment. This comes amidst a wave of accusations within the show, following Jennifer Mistry Bansiwala’s accusations of sexual harassment against producer Asit Modi. Several other actors, including Shailesh Lodha, Disha Vakani, and Priya Ahuja, have also come forward to share their experiences.

During a recent interview with Pinkvilla, Monika Bhadoriya confirmed the presence of a male chauvinistic environment on the set of TMKOC. Despite the potential backlash for speaking up, she asserted that it was an existing issue that needed to be addressed. Monika further highlighted the prevalent gender pay disparity in the industry, where female artists often receive lower compensation compared to their male counterparts. She also mentioned discrepancies in call times, where male actors were given priority over female actors.

Expressing the severity of the situation, Monika stressed that certain aspects on the TMKOC set were non-negotiable, and the overwhelming male chauvinistic atmosphere made it incredibly difficult for anyone to compromise. She candidly revealed that working on the show had been torturous, to the point where she had even contemplated suicide. Ultimately, the toxic environment became the deciding factor that led to her departure from the show. It is worth noting that TMKOC has been on air since July 28, 2008, garnering significant popularity and a long-standing successful run.