Palak Sindhwani, popularly known for her portrayal of Sonu Bhide in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, has made headlines following her unexpected departure from the show. In a serious turn of events, Palak accused the show’s producers, Neela Film Productions, of harassment and mental torture. She claims that her decision to leave the show was prompted by the toxic work environment, where she was allegedly subjected to mistreatment on set.
Additionally, Palak stated that the production team owes her Rs 21 lakh in unpaid dues, further fueling her grievances. She revealed that she was also forced to work long hours, even when unwell, adding to the strain that eventually led to her departure.
The tension between Palak and the show’s producers escalated when rumors emerged that Neela Film Productions planned to send her a legal notice, accusing her of violating her contract by working on other projects without approval. Palak has strongly denied these allegations, stating that she was unaware of any contract breach until after she announced her exit. According to her, she had requested a meeting with the production house on September 18 to discuss her concerns, only to be met with accusations for the first time.
In the same meeting, Palak claimed that she felt intimidated when the producers allegedly threatened to delete her Instagram account and hinder her ability to work with brands. She pointed out that other cast members were also involved in brand endorsements, but was told that her contract was different, suggesting preferential treatment towards her colleagues.
During an interview, Palak stated, “They never discussed any exclusivity contract with me, but as soon as I expressed my desire to leave the show in August, the exploitation began. They likely thought I wouldn’t wait until May to leave, so they started treating me unfairly. The exploitation reached its peak when they accused me of breaching the contract. I was affected by the media reports, but I didn’t stay silent. I kept asking when I could officially resign. It was emotionally draining, I was hurt inside and mentally affected. I would cry in my makeup room and then pull myself together for the shots.”
She added further, “I was still shooting for them, even while dealing with health issues and I had submitted my medical reports. I asked them to consider my condition and grant me some leave, but instead, they kept making me shoot for 12 hours straight, to the point that I couldn’t even meet anyone or respond to their legal notice because I was stuck on set. Only I know how I managed the last 6-7 days. I’ve been mentally harassed by them and these have been the most traumatic days of my life. They call me to shoots and make me sit for 12 hours, even though my actual work only takes 30 minutes.”
Palak’s team has issued a public statement reiterating her claims that Neela Film Productions has not cleared her dues, despite expecting her to continue working. Amidst the ongoing dispute, Palak is considering taking legal action against the production house for harassment and mistreatment. As the situation unfolds, both parties appear to be heading towards a legal confrontation.
