Fans of Asit Kumar Modi’s Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah have been eagerly waiting for Dayaben’s return to the show. While that anticipation continues, viewers were recently caught off guard when speculation began circulating online that former Tapu, Bhavya Gandhi, was set to rejoin the show. Several Instagram pages claimed that Bhavya wished to return to TMKOC to reprise his role and receive a proper closure. The rumours grew strong enough that the makers had to release an official statement denying them. Now, speaking exclusively to SCREEN, Bhavya has clarified that he has been misquoted regarding any plans to return.

A few months ago, during a podcast with Telly Talk India, Bhavya mentioned that he would like to return to Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah someday to promote one of his films. However, his remarks were misinterpreted and circulated online as though he had expressed a desire to return to the show to reprise the role of Tapu. Talking about the same, Bhavya told SCREEN, “I don’t know how a simple statement like this can be misquoted. I have been getting lots of calls and messages from friends, family, and the media. I have three films in the pipeline to be released next year, and two films are going on the floor next year. I don’t think right now is the time for me to go back on the show. I will definitely go to promote my film, but nothing else except that.”