Mumbai: Palak Sindhwani, known for her portrayal of Sonu Bhide in the long-running television show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC), has leveled serious allegations against the show’s makers. In a statement to India Today, Palak claimed that she has faced threats, mental harassment, and exploitation at the hands of the production house. The 26-year-old actor has accused the team of forcing her to continue working despite her deteriorating health and of creating false accusations after she announced her decision to leave the show in August 2024.
In her detailed four-page statement, Palak alleged that the makers have not paid her dues, amounting to over ₹21 lakhs. She claims the production house concocted stories of her breaching her contract by engaging in third-party endorsements and appearances without their consent. The actor, however, maintains that the production team was aware of her social media brand collaborations and only raised objections after she filed her resignation.
Allegations of Exploitation
According to Palak’s statement, she experienced mental harassment and physical exhaustion, which worsened her health. Despite receiving medical advice to rest, she was allegedly forced to continue shooting under pressure from the production team. Palak described the treatment as “inhuman,” saying that the production house threatened to ruin her career and even claimed they could disable her social media accounts.
“At a meeting on September 18, 2024, I was threatened that the production house has the ability to disable my social media account and completely ruin my career,” Palak stated. She also accused the makers of attempting to tarnish her reputation by making baseless claims about her breaching the show’s contract, even though she had already notified them of her intent to quit the serial.
Unpaid Dues and Financial Dispute
In addition to the mental harassment allegations, Palak revealed that her outstanding payments, amounting to ₹21 lakhs, have not yet been cleared. She argued that the production house itself is in breach of their agreement by failing to compensate her for her work, adding, “Till date, I have not been paid my dues, which shows that the production house is in breach, not me.”
Official Response from the Production House
The controversy comes after Neela Films, the producers of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, released a statement accusing Palak of violating her contract by endorsing brands and making appearances without their permission. Palak refuted these claims, stating that the makers never raised concerns about her endorsements until she decided to resign. She alleged that the production house began to put pressure on her to make her departure more difficult after she submitted her notice.
Palak’s last day on set is expected to be September 30, 2024, as per her notice period.
A Troubled Work Environment
Palak Sindhwani is not the first TMKOC cast member to speak out about troubling work conditions on the set. The show, known for its lighthearted comedy, has seen a string of controversies in recent months, with various actors voicing concerns about behind-the-scenes issues.
Palak’s allegations have once again brought attention to the darker side of the entertainment industry, where actors often face high-pressure situations and challenging working environments.
Fans of the show are eagerly awaiting further developments as the situation unfolds, with many hoping for a resolution that ensures fair treatment and respect for the actors involved.
