Jennifer Mistry Recalls Years Of Sexual Harassment By TMKOC Producer Asit Modi, 'Aao Room Mein...'

Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal, aka the OG ‘Mrs. Roshan Sodhi' from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, left the show in 2023, following which she accused the show’s producer, Asit Kumarr Modi, of sexual harassment. Following her legal feud with Modi, Jennifer opened her heart in her latest interview, and the actress couldn't control her tears, recalling years of inappropriate comments and sexual harassment behind the scenes.

Jennifer Mistry recalls Asit Kumarr Modi’s inappropriate comments

In a candid conversation with Pinkvilla, Jennifer Mistry opened up about her long-strained relationship with Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah producer Asit Kumarr Modi. She revealed facing inappropriate advances from him, often veiled as jokes. The actress recounted a disturbing 2018 incident when, after being verbally abused by the show’s operations head, Sohail Ramani, she turned to Modi for support, only to be met with inappropriate behaviour. Recalling the uncomfortable interaction, Jennifer shared:

“Asit ji ke pass gayi unse baat karne Sohail se related toh sab chod ke voh muje bol rahe hai ki 'Sexy lag rahi ho’... Unhone voh phone call mei muje bohot si chizein boli. Baat kuch aur chal rahi hai…Tum kya roo rahi ho. Tum yaha hoti mai tumko hug karta. Mai chance leta. Tumko toh meri padi hi nahi hai.”

Though Modi later brushed off his remarks as jokes made 'in fun,' Jennifer Mistry revealed it wasn’t the only incident. She recalled another unsettling moment on March 8, 2019, during a shoot in Singapore, when Modi allegedly invited her to drink whisky in his room while her roommate was away. The actress shared his words:

"Tum kya karti ho. Tumhari roommate toh bahar chali jaati hai roz. Aao room mei aake whiskey peete hai. Akele bore naho hoti ho?”

While she initially ignored these comments, it gradually became more disturbing to ignore when he started asking inappropriate things, such as the number of her romantic partners. On their third day in Singapore, the TMKOC producer allegedly came uncomfortably close to her at a coffee shop, and he wanted to hold her and kiss her ‘sexy’ lips. 

Jennifer recalls telling her co-stars about Asit Kumarr Modi

Jennifer broke down in tears as she recalled freezing in fear at the producer’s advances. She confided in co-star Mandar Chandwadkar (‘Aatmaram Bhide’), but said he didn’t take a stand. However, her on-screen husband, Gurucharan Singh, though unable to confront Modi that day, would often step in whenever he noticed the producer getting too close.

Ultimately, it was her female co-star, Munmun Dutta, aka ‘Babita Ji’, who took a stand for Jennifer against Asit Modi. The producer, being a little intimidated by Munmun, remained silent when the latter reprimanded him for troubling the actress. She recalled:

“I told about this to Mandar because he was very close to me. But he didn't say anything… I told Gurucharan next because he was also close to me. He couldn't do much because he was also working... Munmun was my very good friend. So I told her too. She is a strong woman and scolded him. She said, ‘Why do you trouble her just because she doesn't say much? Don't disturb her.’ He (Asit) is a little scared of Munmun, so he remained quiet.”

Jennifer left TMKOC in 2023 and accused the producer of sexual harassment. On February 15, 2024, the court found Modi guilty of sexual harassment and ordered him to clear all of Jennifer’s pending dues, along with an additional compensation of Rs. 5 lakh. This complaint came as a major blow to the long-running family-friendly sitcom, with fans slamming Asit Kumarr Modi for his conduct.

What are your thoughts on Jennifer Mistry’s recollection of Asit Kumarr Modi's unsolicited advances towards her?

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