Asit Kumarr Modi Wiki, Age, Wife, Family, Biography

Asit Kumarr Modi is an Indian TV producer, director, and actor. He is the founder of the film & TV production house Neela Tele Films Private Limited. He is known for being the creator and producer of the popular Hindi sitcom ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ (2008). In 2023, the Indian TV actress Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal accused him of sexual harassment. ^[1]DNA India

Wiki/Biography

Asit Kumarr Modi, also spelt as Asit Kumar Modi, ^[2]Facebook – Asit Kumar Modi aka Asit Modi ^[3]Times Now was born on Saturday, 24 December 1966 (age 57 years; as of 2023) in Pune, Maharashtra. His zodiac sign is Capricorn. From 1969 to 1982, he did his schooling at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Vidyalaya and Jr. College, Mumbai. From 1983 to 1987, he pursued B.Com at Shri Chinai College of Commerce & Economics, Mumbai. ^[4]LinkedIn – Asit Kumarr Modi

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 6″

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Black

Family

Asit belongs to a Gujarati family. ^[5]The Times of India

Parents & Siblings

There is not much information about his parents and siblings.

Wife & Children

His wife’s name is Neela Modi. He has a daughter and a son.

Career

In the initial phase of his career, he worked as a lighting designer for a few Gujarati theatre plays. He has also worked in the production and creative departments of various TV serials like ‘Kabhi Yeh Kabhi Woh’ (1994; Hindi) for DD Metro and ‘Kondmara’ (1996; Marathi) for DD Marathi. He has also managed the production and marketing departments of a few Gujarati TV serials like ‘Miyan Fuski,’ ‘Parinam,’ and ‘Aahwan.’ Asit has worked as a theatre actor, technician, and assistant director. In 1995, he started a film & TV production house Neela Film Productions Private Limited, which was named after his wife Neela.

He made his debut as a TV producer with the Hindi TV serial ‘Hum Sab Ek Hai’ (1998), which aired on Sony TV.

In 2008, he produced the popular Hindi TV sitcom ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah,’ which is based on Chitralekha magazine’s weekly column ‘Duniya Ne Undha Chasma’ by Taarak Mehta. The show is aired on SAB TV.

He has also appeared in a few episodes of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.

Some of his other TV shows as a producer are ‘Krishnaben Khakhrawala’ (2010; Sony), ‘Wah! Wah! Kya Baat Hai!’ (2013; SAB TV), and ‘Sab Khelo Sab Jeetto’ (2013; SAB TV). In 2021, Asit produced the animated television series ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Chhota Chashmah’ based on the TV serial Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, which aired on Sony Yay.

Controversies

Accusations of Non-Payment of Fees

Neha Mehta

In 2020, the Indian TV actress Neha Mehta, who played the role of Anjali Mehta in the Hindi sitcom ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ (2008) quit the show. In an interview, when Neha was asked about quitting the show after working in it for almost 12 years, she said that her fees was due with the makers, and they were not paying her fees. She said that she even asked Asit to clear her payments. She said,

I acted in Taarak Mehta as Anjali for 12 years before quitting in 2020. The last six months’ money is pending. After I quit the show, I called them a few times regarding my pending dues. I don’t like complaining… hopefully, there will be a solution soon and I will get my hard-earned money.”

Later, in an interview, an official from Asit’s team said that Asit was upset over Neha’s remark and said that Neha had left the show without informing them and stopped replying to their calls. The official said that as Neha did not complete the exit formalities, she was not eligible for a full and final settlement. ^[6]Hindustan Times

Shailesh Lodha

Another actor from ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah,’ Shailesh Lodha left the show in 2021 over payment issues with Asit. He played the role of Taarak Mehta in the sitcom for almost 14 years. Reportedly, he filed a complaint against Modi for not clearing his dues. He even initiated a corporate insolvency resolution under section 9 at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). Later, Lodha uploaded a cryptic post on his Instagram account hinting towards his feud with Asit. In an interview, an official from Asit’s team talked about the matter. The official said,

There isn’t much to say that hasn’t been said earlier. Shailesh Lodha has been like a family only. When he left we respected that. And on numerous occasions through email and on telephone we have requested him to come to the office to sign all required paperwork and take his remaining numeration. We have never denied or refused to give his payment. In every company when people leave, they have to sign full and final papers before complete payment is released. Where is the issue? Instead of going around and complaining, isn’t it better to simply follow the regular procedure? We are not pursuing any case, because we did not refuse to give his payment. We have already informed sir (Lodha) to take his dues and sign the required papers.”

Later, in an interview, Asit said that he never refused to clear Lodha’s payments. Asit said that he was upset with Shailesh for targeting him with his couplets and poems at various events. Later, while addressing the media, Shailesh said that no producer could be bigger than the actor. ^[7]Hindustan Times Following his departure from the show “Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah” in April 2022, Shailesh Lodha took legal action against Asit Modi for unpaid dues. In August 2023, Shailesh emerged victorious in the legal battle, resulting in media reports stating that Asit Modi would compensate him with a sum of Rs. 1.05 crore. ^[8]Hindustan Times

Accused of Sexual Harassment

In 2023, Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal, another actor from the Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, quit the show. She accused Asit and his team of being unfair to her. She even accused Asit, and his team members Sohil Ramani and Jatin Bajaj of sexual harassment. In an interview, while talking about it, Jennifer said that when she asked for a leave from the makers, they asked her to leave the sets of the show. She said that the makers have been unfair to her several times in past. She further talked about the sexual harassment she faced on the sets of the show. She revealed that once Asit made a vulgar comment about her. According to Jennifer, Asit said,

Aj toh anniversary nahi hai. koi guilt nahi hai, aa jao room mein. The next day, he says aap bohot sundar lag rahi ho, tumhare hoth bohot sundar hai, mann kar raha hai pakadh ke kiss kardu.”

In an interview, when Asit was asked about the allegations, he said,

We will take legal action as she is trying to defame me and the show both. Since we terminated her services, she is making these baseless allegations.”

The team members of Asit Modi, Sohil Ramani and Jatin Bajaj said that Jennifer used to misbehave with the team of the sitcom. They said that she even damaged the set property, and she was terminated because of her bad behaviour. ^[9]DNA India In March 2024, Jennifer won the case against Asit. According to Jennifer, after the verdict came in her favour, Asit was ordered to pay almost Rs. 25-30 lakh as her dues including Rs. 5 lakh as compensation. ^[10]Hindustan Times

Awards

Indian Television Academy Awards

• 2009: Best Serial-Comedy- Neela Tele Films for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2010: Best Serial-Comedy- Neela Tele Films, Asit Kumarr Modi for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2013: Scroll Of Honour- Neela Tele Films Pvt. Ltd. for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2014: Best Serial-Comedy- Neela Tele Films for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2015: Best Serial-Comedy- Neela Tele Films for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

Indian Telly Awards

• 2009: IBest Sitcom: Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2010: Best Sitcom- Asit Kumarr Modi for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2010: Best Comedy Show: Asit Kumarr Modi for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2012: Sitcom/Comedy programme- Asit Kumarr Modi for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2012: Certificate of Appreciation: Asit Kumarr Modi

• 2013: Sitcom/Comedy programme- Asit Kumarr Modi for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2014: Sitcom/Comedy programme- Asit Kumarr Modi for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2015: Best Continuing TV Programme- Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

Zee Gold Awards

• 2010: Best TV Show (Comedy)- Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2011: Best Comedy Show (Fiction)- Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2012: Best TV Show (Comedy)- Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2013: Best TV Show (Comedy)-Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2014: Best TV Show (Comedy)- Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2015: Best TV Show (Comedy)- Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• Golden honour for completing 1000 episodes- Asit Kumarr Modi for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

SAB Ke Anokhe Awards

• 2012: SAB Ka Anokha Show- Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2013: SAB Se Anokha Achievement- Asit Kumarr Modi for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2014: SAB Se Anokhe Entertainers- Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2014: SAB Se Anokha Show- Asit Kumarr Modi for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2014: SAB Ke AnokheAwards- Asit Kumarr Modi for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

Other Award(s)

• 2009: Maharathi Award- Asit Kumarr Modi for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah by 9th Annual Gujarati Screen & Stage Awards

• 2010: Most Entertaining Television Fiction Show- Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2011: Laadla Parivaar Award for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2012: Favourite TV Comedy Show Award- Asit Kumarr Modi for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2013: Gujarati TV9 5th Anniversary Celebration Award- Asit Kumarr Modi by STAR Parivaar Award

• 2013: Best TV Series- Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2013: Zee Rishtey Awards for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2014: Best Comedy Drama Series- Neela Tele Films for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

• 2015: 5th National Conference organized by The HR Club

• 2015: Game Changer Award- Asit Kumarr Modi

Facts/Trivia

• While he was studying in college, he won various awards for directing and acting in plays.

• He can speak various languages such as Hindi, English, Gujarati, and Marathi.

• In 2001, he bought the rights of ‘Duniya Ne Undha Chasma’ (a column in Gujarati magazine) and approached various TV channels to air his concept of making Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah as serial. However, his idea of making a sitcom was rejected as at that time there was a trend of saas-bahu daily soaps. He struggled for almost eight years to convince a TV channel to air his sitcom. ^[11]The Times of India

• In 2015, PM Narendra Modi nominated Asit Modi and his team of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah as the first nine citizens of India to Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. ^[12]The Times of India In an interview, while talking about Asit’s meeting with PM, Asit said,
  

  I am very fortunate that I got a chance to congratulate PM Narendra Modi Ji in person for taking this brave initiative today to fight the terrorist activities against our country. Modi Ji spared generous time for me and we discussed about ‘Swachhta Abhiyan’, our show and the current situation with our neighbouring country. The Prime Minister also congratulated the team of TMKOC for our achievements and for spreading the awareness of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.”

  Asit shared that one of his uncles was a teacher of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his school. His uncle also gave a letter to PM Modi which Asit gave to PM. ^[13]The Times of India

  

  Asit Kumarr Modi and Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’s team with Narendra Modi

• In 2015, he was invited as a guest speaker at the Aditya Institute of Management Studies and Research, Mumbai.
  

  Asit Kumarr Modi- Speaker at an event

• Asit appeared at one of the TEDx Talks events in 2018.
  

  Asit Kumarr Modi as a speaker in TedX Talks

• In 2022, his show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah became the longest-running sitcom on TV (by episode count). ^[14]Guinness World Records

• Asit and his Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’s team have been felicitated by various publication houses like Mumbai Samachar, Feelings Magazine, and Creative Club of Ahmedabad.