'Audiences still compare me to the old goalie. Let me give you an example. There is a mother, she has a son. After 16 years you will suddenly say to that mother that this is not your son anymore, this newcomer is your son. So will you believe it? The same is true of the audience. He has been one for 16 years
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These are the words of Dharmit Shah… Dharmit is Tarak Mehta's new goli. If you are watching the popular show 'Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma' on television, you must have guessed that one of its popular characters 'Goli' has been replaced just a couple of months ago, as the old Goli (Kush Shah) left the show and shifted to the USA. has happened So a new goli (Dharmit Shah) has entered the show. The funny thing is, Dharmitbhai is originally from our Ahmedabad, and still his family lives in Ahmedabad. Only go to Mumbai when there is a shoot. What is the personal life of this new 'Gulab Kumar Hansraj Hathi' aka 'Goli' sahib? How did you get such a big role in such a big show? And Frontpage Insights spoke to Dharmit for more interesting information on the sets of 'Taarak Mehta'. So come on, put on 'ulta chashma' and start reading…
In a year and a half, he gave up acting Goli started talking without joking, 'I was born, educated all in Ahmedabad, I am a complete Ahmedabadi. I was fond of theater and drama since childhood, so I used to act from school. In school, I used to do normal drama etc., but since I came to know that we can do such theater etc., I joined since then. Not only acting, since he started doing theatre, he has been directing along with acting, writing the story, handling the lighting, checking the sound, everything has been done. In that year and a half, I got to know what acting is. What is the difference between camera acting and theater acting? After that he did Gujarati dramas. But then it happened that unless you go to Mumbai, you will not get an acting career from here. So left for Mumbai.'
The soles of the boots were worn out So was there a fix for acting? So you left? Dharmit says, 'No no, I just want to act, and I want to make a career in it, that's all I decided and left. Me and one of my friend Akash, we both left for Mumbai for 4-5 days. After going there, I realized that it is not so easy to become a boss, it will take a lot of time for an acting career. So the returns came in 5 days. But then feel some life in Ahmedabad? Completed the ongoing projects here in a few days and left for Mumbai again. From one office to another, from there to a third office in Mumbai, we ran so much that within a month the soles of the newly bought shoes were completely worn out. So many office shocks have been eaten. Finally got a small role in a web series and the car of acting started. Then got 2-3 TV ads too.'
'The bullet rolled in front of me and fell into my lap' So how did you get the role of Goalie? Dharmit says, 'After that I had to return to Ahmedabad due to a family issue and when I was here in Ahmedabad, I got a call that there is an audition, will you give it? So I checked and found out that 'Goli' is the character of 'Tarak Mehta'. As soon as I got to know, my excitement was over. I immediately sent the audition and when I gave the audition, I knew from their response that we had been selected. After 20-25 days of the audition, the call came again that you have to come here to Mumbai for the final audition, come. I immediately ran away. Took two-three auditions there and told me then and there that you have been finalized as a goalie. Hearing this, I was so nervous that I could not call anyone.'
When we talked at home, everyone was amused How many days did the shooting start? Talking about the events that took place in Bhagambhag, Dharmit says, 'My audition lasted for twenty days and I passed almost three auditions and became Goli. At first I didn't call anyone, I wanted to give a surprise, so I took a train and ran to Ahmedabad and reached home at night. When I went home and talked to everyone, at first they took it as a joke and told me not to joke like that, but I still remember the happiness on the faces of mom and dad when I explained everything final. Stayed for one day and immediately left home to go to the set.'
Goli's character ready to shoot in two days How many days was the time to match the character of Goli and sit in the environment of the set? Golly says, 'That's it, it's only two days. Two days after the selection, I had my first shoot! Only when my final was done, the story started that the goalie will be replaced. So immediately I came to Ahmedabad and came there the next day and reached the set again. As soon as I got to the set, the director explained the scene to me and the shoot started. There's a bit of a hectic work schedule on the set, but it's also fun to work on.'
My body language is a bit slow What was the demand of the director as a goalie? What brief did they give you for acting as a goalie? Dharmit says, 'From the time I gave the audition, people felt that I was perfect for Goli. There was just one change, my body language is a bit slower than the old goli so I was asked to react a bit faster. But all I was told was that there was no need to copy the old 'don't copy' bullet. What Golly does, you think and act like that.'
Mostly everyone talks in Gujarati on the set What is the atmosphere like on the set? Dharmit, who has just joined for a month, says about the atmosphere there, 'From the first day I worked there, I was completely shocked. The atmosphere is so cool that you don't ask. All are jokes. There is nowhere more fun to be had while shooting on set than what you see onscreen. Second, two days before each episode when we sit down to shoot, we do a lot of changes in the script even during the scene reading. All will give their input and make changes. The bonding between all the actors is good.' 'Dilip Joshi, Nirmal Soni, Tanmay Vekaria, Samay Shah, you… Tarak Mehta has many Gujarati actors, approximately how many Gujaratis will be on the entire set?' 'Oh so many. I feel like I am in Gujarat when I am on the set. On the set we all talk in Gujarati only.'
It will take some time to accept me How about people comparing you to old Golly? Our new Golibhai says, 'Let me give you an example, there is a mother, she has a son. After 16 years you will suddenly say to that mother that this is not your son anymore, this newcomer is your son. So how hard will it be? The same is true of the audience. He has seen one goalie for 16 years, so he can't see a change so soon. Even if I give my 100% right now, it will make a difference. It will take some time for people to accept the new goalie. But now people get a lot of love.'
'Like a pill, I should eat everything' How much do you match Golly's character in terms of food? Dharmitbhai, who has recently entered the character of Goli, says, 'Very.. I eat a little less. But I want so much more. Goli has to eat a lot of things and in large quantities. When I want, I eat a lot, but I eat a little bit of all the items. In one respect, I am also like Goli, eating is my first priority.'
'Old Goalie Told Me One Thing' Did you talk to the old goli ie Kush Shah? Nawa Golibhai says, 'Yes, we have met once. He told me, 'Whatever you do, I have seen it. You are amazing, keep acting in your own way.' 'Who was the first friend you made on set?' “My first scene was with Tappu Sena, so I had to meet those people first. Those people also helped me a lot for shooting. And since I have been with those people since the beginning, I have a very good bonding with them.'
That's where Uncle's tips come in handy How is Dilip Joshi (Jethalal) on the sets? Goli says, 'Sir is a very down to earth person. He has no air of stardom. Sir was on leave when I came to the set. After a month we had a conversation. I met him as a fan. Sir had told me then, 'Open up and perform. Whatever you want to improve, tell the director once, everything else is allowed to change.' There is a lot to learn from him in shooting.'
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
