Dilip Joshi, a seasoned actor best known for his memorable performance as Jethalal in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, has had an ups and downs career. Before becoming a household name, Joshi endured a tough period—he was jobless for over a year and a half despite having worked in several major Bollywood films.
From Salman & Shah Rukh Films to No Work
Joshi, who featured in cult classics like Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Koun with Salman Khan, and Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani alongside Shah Rukh Khan, couldn’t find satisfying work for years. Despite his filmography, he remained unemployed and unseen by the industry for long stretches.
Joshi co-owned a travel agency before becoming a full-time actor. However, the 9-to-9 grind did not make him happy. Theatre had been his very first love, but acting seemed like an insecure way to earn a living. After a heart-to-heart talk with his wife, Jaimala Joshi, with her encouragement to pursue his passion, he took a leap of faith and left the business to focus on acting full-time.
An Unlikely Journey to Fame
Joshi’s journey wasn’t easy. He started small in theatre, earning just ₹450 per play, hardly enough to support a family. To manage finances, he had opened a travel agency, but his heart wasn’t in it. Interestingly, Dilip and Jaimala had a rare early marriage—he was just 18 and she was 14 at the time of their engagement.
After quitting the agency, Joshi got a break with Rajshri Productions’ Maine Pyar Kiya as a side character, and later, he gained recognition with Hum Aapke Hain Koun as the lovable ‘Bhola’. But even the film’s blockbuster status couldn’t secure him steady work.
When Even 24 Years of Experience Didn’t Help
In an interview, Joshi shared that after his daughter’s birth in 1992, his savings were so low that even paying the hospital bill was a struggle. Post-Hum Aapke Hain Koun, he acted in films like One 2 Ka 4 and Humraaz, but he hit another career drought when one of his TV shows was abruptly cancelled. With no offers, rising household expenses, and two kids to support, Joshi found himself at rock bottom.
Despite over two decades of experience, he went 1.5 years without a single acting gig—knocking on producers’ doors, hoping for work. He turned down offers like Comedy Circus, Enter Taarak Mehta’s Ooltah Chashmah, and A Divine Break.
Then came Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. Joshi considers the offer a blessing from God. He joined the show in 2008, and his role as Jethalal changed his life forever. The sitcom became a massive hit and still continues to be one of Indian television’s longest-running shows.
Behind-the-Scenes Turmoil: Threats to Quit & On-Set Clashes
Despite the show’s success, not all has been smooth behind the scenes. Over the years, various actors have departed the show due to controversies. Joshi reportedly had a heated argument with producer Asit Modi himself. According to reports, during a heated exchange in August last year, when Joshi was allegedly denied leave, he lost his temper, grabbed Modi by the collar, and threatened to quit the show.
The controversy didn’t stop there. Actress Jennifer Mistry revealed in an interview that Joshi had another major fallout with the show’s operational head, Sohail Rahmani. In a shocking incident, Rahmani allegedly hurled a chair at Joshi in anger. Joshi then reportedly insisted that he would walk away from the show if Rahmani continued to be involved.
Following this, production kept Rahmani distanced from Joshi for nearly two years. Later, Joshi issued a public statement denying the accuracy of such reports, describing them as hurtful and deeply upsetting.
From Setbacks to Stardom
Despite the drama behind the scenes, Dilip Joshi is still one of the most popular people on Indian television. His story is one of resilience, passion, and staying true to one’s art—even when the world turns its back. Joshi’s path from earning ₹450 per play to becoming Jethalal is quite inspirational.
