Mumbai, August 8 (IANS) Popular sitcom ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ producer Asit Kumarr Modi expressed utter disappointment over society’s growing obsession with religion, caste and language.
In an heartfelt conversation, the producer stated that people should identify themselves as Indians first to foster harmony and strengthen the spirit of community living.
Speaking exclusively to IANS, Modi expressed concern over increasing divisions in society. He said, “Today, whenever we meet someone, the first questions are: ‘Which religion do you belong to? What is your caste? Which community do you belong to? What language do you speak?’ I always say that if we first say, ‘I am an Indian,’ then this problem will be solved and everyone will be able to live together.”
He further reflected on his childhood growing up in Mumbai’s chawls, where neighbours were treated like family.
“In my childhood, and even in Dilip (Joshi) bhai’s childhood, we lived in a chawl system. In Mumbai, whether it was Bhuleshwar, Kalbadevi or Dadar, we all lived in chawls. The neighbours became our family because the houses were small. There wasn’t the concept of a nuclear family in the way we see it today. Even today, I am connected with the neighbours I had when I was six or seven years old,” he said.
Explaining how community living shaped his outlook, Modi added, “When you live with your neighbours, you have to let go of many things. You learn community living. You learn to live together. Community living is a very important thing, and today I feel it is extremely important for our country.”
Stressing the importance of compassion and togetherness, Modi shared, “If we celebrate festivals together, it feels wonderful. If you speak to your neighbours with love and with a smile, they feel good. If you forgive your neighbours’ mistakes, just like Jethalal forgives so many mistakes, then we can all live with love.”
The producer also highlighted how modern lifestyles have distanced people from those living around them.
“Today, people don’t even know who lives in the neighbouring house. Many don’t even speak to the watchman or the lift operator with a smile. We should be grateful to the watchman, the liftman and everyone who serves us. Our neighbour is our first family. Our neighbour is everything,” he said.
Sharing how his iconic show, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’s message has inspired many communities, Modi added, “This idea has been successful. Many colonies have been created with this spirit. People have told us they were inspired by our show to build such communities. I have even been invited to visit a colony in Rajkot. We should all think about how we can live together. Even if there are differences of opinion, we should not get into arguments. We all need to think about how we can coexist peacefully.”
–IANS
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