'TMKOC' star Palak aka Sonu Bhide quits, alleges exploitation, harassment
What's the story
Palak Sindhwani, popular for her portrayal of Sonu Bhide in the long-running sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC), has announced her departure from the show.
The announcement follows recent reports of a legal notice issued to Sindhwani by Neela Film Productions for alleged contract violations.
In an exclusive interview with Times Of India, she claimed to have experienced exploitation, mental harassment, and trauma during her tenure on the show.
Departure announcement
Sindhwani's decision to quit 'TMKOC' was health-related
Sindhwani informed a representative from TMKOC about her decision to leave the show on August 8, citing personal and health reasons after a nearly five-year stint.
She was told that she would need to serve a notice period of 2-3 months, allowing her to conclude her journey by year-end.
"I expressed my desire to leave on good terms, highlighting my positive experiences over the past five years," she stated.
Contract dispute
Sindhwani faced pressure to stay until May 2025
Sindhwani's departure was complicated by a meeting with Asit Kumarr Modi, the show's producer, on September 7.
She shared her concerns and expressed her desire to leave on good terms. However, Modi insisted that she should not consider quitting before May 2025.
"He began to manipulate me by saying that if I left before May, it would hurt him," Sindhwani revealed.
Legal action
Sindhwani received a breach of contract notice
On September 13, Sindhwani was informed that she would be receiving a notice regarding a breach of contract.
"I was shocked because nothing like that had happened before... I learned from the media that they were planning to take action, and reading that article deeply affected me while I was shooting for the show," she said.
Contract breach allegations
Sindhwani was accused of contract breach after quitting announcement
During a meeting with the TMKOC team on September 18, Sindhwani was informed for the first time that she had breached her contract.
"This only came up after I announced I was leaving the show," she said. "When I asked for a copy of the contract, they gave it to me on September 19, just a day after the meeting."
During this meeting, they even threatened to delete her Instagram account and stop her from shooting brand endorsements.
Legal response
Sindhwani responded to legal notice and allegations
Sindhwani, who was still shooting for the show despite health issues, finally consulted DSK Legal and showed them her contract.
"Their team told me it's a clear case of exploitation and advised me not to stay silent," she said.
On September 27, she responded to the legal notice with one of her own, questioning why she wasn't given a copy of the contract earlier and why exclusivity was never discussed.