Has Sharad Sankla Aka Abdul Left ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ After 16 Years?

News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/22nd August 2024

Rumors have been swirling around the popular sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah regarding the departure of one of its long-standing actors, Sharad Sankla, who is best known for portraying the beloved character Abdul. Sharad Sankla has been an integral part of the show since its inception 16 years ago, but recent reports suggest that he may have quit the show in May 2024.

Speculation about Sharad’s exit began after his noticeable absence from recent episodes. Abdul, who runs a small convenience store in the Gokuldham Society, has been missing from the storyline for nearly four episodes. The character’s sudden disappearance was first highlighted when Sonalika Joshi’s character, Madhavi, mentioned that Abdul’s phone was unreachable and that his store had remained closed since Saturday evening. This unexpected turn of events left the residents of Gokuldham Society, and the show’s loyal viewers, concerned about Abdul’s whereabouts.

In the show, the members of Gokuldham Society, puzzled by Abdul’s sudden vanishing act, sought the help of Inspector Chaalu Pandey, played by Dayashankar Pandey. However, due to his previous experiences with the society’s often comedic and exaggerated situations, Inspector Pandey seemed skeptical about Abdul’s return. This added to the intrigue and uncertainty surrounding the character’s fate on the show.

While the show’s creators and Sharad Sankla himself have not officially confirmed his departure, a report by OTT Play indicated that the actor might have bid farewell to the show in May 2024. The reasons behind his potential exit remain undisclosed, leaving fans to speculate.

Adding fuel to the rumors is Sharad’s last known activity on social media. On what is believed to be his official Instagram profile, his most recent post dates back to May 7, 2024. In the video, Sharad is seen preparing for a shot on the sets of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, with the caption, “I love the confidence that makeup gives me.” Since then, there has been no further activity, which has led to more speculation about his involvement in the show.

Sharad Sankla’s possible exit follows in the footsteps of other actors who have left Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah after long tenures. In July 2024, actor Kush Shah, who played Goli Hansraj Hathi, also announced his departure from the show after 16 years. These departures have sparked discussions among fans about the future direction of the series and the potential impact on its popularity.

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah continues to be one of the most-watched sitcoms on Indian television, featuring a diverse cast including Dilip Joshi, Nirmal Soni, Munmun Dutta, Amit Bhatt, Sunayana Fozdar, Sachin Shroff, Mandar Chandwadkar, and Sonalika Joshi, among others. The show revolves around the daily lives of residents in the fictional Gokuldham Society, where families from different cultural backgrounds live in harmony, often finding themselves in humorous and heartwarming situations.

As the rumors surrounding Sharad Sankla’s exit remain unconfirmed, fans of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah are left wondering about the future of Abdul’s character and eagerly await any official statements from the actor or the show’s creators.