Actress Palak Sindhwani alleges that Taarak Mehta producers have threatened to ruin her career.
Actress Palak Sindhwani, who plays Sonu Bhide in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, has issued an official statement to India Today alleging that the makers are harassing and threatening her.
Actress Palak Sindhwani has accused the makers of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC) of threatening her and causing her panic attacks on the sets. When IndiaToday.in reached out to the actor to discuss the matter, he sent a long note in a written statement, alleging mental harassment and exploitation.
The four-page long statement containing nine points mentions that the producers forced him to come to the set and continue shooting the episodes despite his deteriorating health condition. The statement read, “Due to the harassment, Palak has been put under immense mental pressure, which has further worsened her health condition and on September 19, 2024, the doctor has advised Palak to undergo strict rest and medical treatment.” However, despite her serious health condition, the production house did not grant her any leave and pressurized her to continue shooting for the said serial and subjected her to inhumane treatment which clearly amounts to exploitation.”
The 26-year-old actor, popular for playing Sonu Bhide in the show, further claimed that the production house had threatened to ‘ruin his career’ and even ‘deactivate’ his social media accounts. “Since Palak had already informed her intention to terminate the said agreement and leave the said serial in August 2024 itself, the representatives of the production house first met with Palak during a meeting held on September 18, 2024. , frivolous allegation and baseless objection/argument that Palak’s endorsement/advertisement is in violation of the said agreement,” the statement mentioned.
It said, ‘In this meeting he was further threatened that the production house has the ability to disable his social media accounts and completely ruin his career.’
“dues not paid”
The actress accused the producers of “harassing” her by fabricating baseless stories about alleged breach of contract. He also claimed that the production house has not even paid his dues and has asked him to continue working. “Till date, Palak has not even been paid her dues, which are more than Rs 21 lakh. This shows that the violation has been committed by the production house and not by Palak,” the statement said.
His statement comes a day after Neela Films released an official statement, accusing them of endorsing and screening third parties without their consent. The actor defended the claims and said that the producers were aware of his social media brand endorsements and had not raised any objection until he filed his resignation. She alleged that only after she decided to leave the show, the producers started pressurizing her to “make her exit difficult”.
Palak is officially working on the sets till September 30 as per her notice period.