Disha Vakani

Introduction

Disha Vakani is a renowned Indian actress who works in both the television and film industries. She gained fame for portraying Daya Jethalal Gada on the popular sitcom "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah." She is adored for her iconic character Dayaben, known for her distinctive voice and captivating Garba dance. She is a great entertainer in the TV Industry.

Disha Vakani hails from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, and was born under the Virgo zodiac sign. Standing at a height of 1.65 meters (approximately 5 feet 5 inches), she follows the Jainism faith. Born on September 17, 1978, Disha Vakani is currently 44 years old as of 2023. She's going to turn 45 in 2023.

In addition to her television success, Disha Vakani has an impressive filmography, with notable roles in movies such as "Kamsin: The Untouched," "C Kkompany," "Love Story 2050," "Jodha Akbar," and "Devdas." Her acting prowess has earned her several awards and accolades, including the third Zee Gold Award, the ninth and tenth Indian Telly Awards, and recognition from the Indian Television Academy.

Family and Education

Regarding her family and education, Disha's father, Bhim Vakani, was a school drawing instructor and owned a theatre. She comes from a Gujarati Jain family in Ahmedabad and has a brother named Mayur Vakani, who is also an actor. Interestingly, he portrayed her on-screen brother, Sundar Lal, in "Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah." Disha's interest in drama stemmed from her family's involvement in theatre since her childhood.

Disha Vakani received her primary education at Siddhartha High School in Ahmedabad. After completing high school, she pursued a Dramatic Arts Diploma in Ahmedabad. During her early years, she noticed a lack of actresses in her father's theatre, which motivated her to pursue a career in acting and join her family in the world of theatre. What started as a way to support her family became her passion. Since then, Disha has never looked back.

Marriage

Actress Disha Vakani tied the knot with Mayur Padia on November 24, 2015. As of 2022, the couple has been happily married for seven years. He is a Mumbai-based Chartered Accountant.

On November 27, 2017, Disha Vakani gave birth to their daughter, Stuti Padia. In 2022, the couple welcomed a baby boy into their family.

Disha Vakani's Career

Disha Vakani embarked on her acting journey in the realm of Gujarati theatre, where she performed in plays such as "Kamal Patel vs. Dhamal Patel" and "Lali Lila." She also made cameo appearances in Hindi films like "Jodhaa Akbar" and "Devdas." Since 2008, she has been known for her role as Dayaben Gada in the sitcom "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah" on SAB TV. In September 2017, she took maternity leave from the show and has not returned to television or social media since.

Disha Vakani's Debut Movie - "Kamsin: The Untouched" (1997)

Disha Vakani made her debut in the film industry with the Hindi drama "Kamsin: The Untouched," directed by Amit Suryavanshi. The movie, released in 1997 under the Sai Baba Film banner, features Disha Vakani and Shiva Nindani in lead roles. In the film's storyline, Disha, a college student, and her friends embark on a countryside trip during a school break. However, their vacation takes a dark turn as her friends start dying one by one. Disha Vakani portrays the character of Pinky in the movie.

"Phool Aur Aag" (1999)

Disha Vakani played a supporting role in the 1999 Hindi-language action movie "Phool Aur Aag," which starred Mithun Chakraborty, Jackie Shroff, Harish, Ayesha Jhulka, Archana, Aruna Irani, and Rakesh Bedi. Directed by T L V Prasad, this film was a remake of the Tamil movie "Maru Malarchi."

"Khichdi" (2004)

In 2002, the Hindi-language sitcom "Khichdi" was created by UTV Software Communications and premiered on STAR Plus on September 10, 2002. The show has been aired multiple times on STAR Plus and its affiliated channels. It marked the beginning of the Khichdi franchise. In 2004, Disha Vakani took on the role of a nurse in the show.

Khichdi revolves around the Parekh family, a Gujarati clan residing in a grand palace. This joint family encounters various typical Indian challenges but strives to resolve them in highly unconventional ways. The family members, known for their humour, are staunchly dedicated to their quest for independence. They aim to sell their inherited property, move out, and form new nuclear families individually. However, their patriarch opposes this idea. Although he offers them the opportunity to leave and fend for themselves, none are willing to forfeit the money owed to them.

HERO - Bhakti Hi Shakti Hai (2005)

This story centres around Hero, a superhero empowered with extraordinary magical abilities by the Goddess Durga to combat criminals and supervillains. Disha Vakani played a supporting role in the show.

Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005)

In 2005, the Indian historical biographical drama film "Mangal Pandey: The Rising" was released. It is based on the biography of Mangal Pandey, an Indian soldier who played a crucial role in sparking the Indian uprising of 1857. The movie was directed by Ketan Mehta. While Bobby Bedi produced it, Farrukh Dhondy wrote the screenplay. Aamir Khan, who had taken a hiatus after "Dil Chahta Hai" in 2001, returned to the big screen in a prominent role. Disha Vakani portrayed the supporting character of Yasmine in the movie.

Jodha Akbar (2008)

The 2008 Indian epic historical love story drama film "Jodhaa Akbar" was directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. The title roles were portrayed by Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Disha Vakani had a supporting role in the movie. The movie is set in the 16th century, portraying the love story between Princess Jodhaa Bai and the renowned Mughal Emperor Akbar, who entered into a marriage of convenience. This film achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim, ultimately becoming the third-highest-grossing Hindi movie of 2008.

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

The Hindi television series "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah," often abbreviated as TMKOC, draws its inspiration from Taarak Mehta's weekly column, "Duniya Ne Undha Chasma," published in Chitralekha magazine. Produced by Asit Kumar Modi, the show premiered on July 28, 2008, and currently airs on Sony SAB. It is also available for streaming on SonyLIV. Remarkably, this program holds the record for the most episodes of an Indian daily sitcom on television.

Set in the Gokuldham Co-operative Housing Society, located on Powder Gali, Film City Road, Goregaon East, Mumbai, the series revolves around the lives of its diverse residents. Often referred to as "Mini India," Gokuldham showcases its inhabitants tackling various issues and finding solutions, occasionally addressing societal topics. The majority of episodes focus on Jethalal's misadventures, with Taarak Mehta serving as his trusted friend and "Fire Brigade" to rescue him. Disha Vakani played the role of Daya, Jethalal's wife, in the show. She turned out to be an amazing and entertaining character loved by all the fans of Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chashma.

Disha Vakani's Awards

• In 2009, she won the 9th Indian Telly Awards in the category of Best Actress in a Comic Role - Female (Popular) for her role in "Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah."
• At the Indian Television Academy Awards in 2009, she was recognised as the Best Actress in the Comedy category for her performance in "Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah."
• In 2010, she secured the Best Comic Actor award at the 3rd Zee Gold Awards for her work in "Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah."
• Once again, in 2010, she earned the title of Best Actor in a Comic Role - Female (Popular) at the 10th Indian Telly Awards for her contribution to "Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah."
• Her comedic excellence was acknowledged at the 2014 Indian Television Academy Awards, where she received the award for Best Actress in the Comedy category for her role in "Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah."
• In 2015, she continued to shine in the comedy genre, being honoured with the Best Actress in a Comedy award at the Indian Television Academy Awards for her performance in "Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah."

Net Worth of Disha Vakani

Disha Vakani's extensive career spans both film and television. She has made notable contributions to various movies and TV series. Some of her well-known film roles include appearances in popular movies such as Devdas, Jodha Akbar, C Kkompany, and Love Story 2050. Additionally, she has been a part of several television programs, including Khichdi, Hero Bhakti Hi Shakti Hai, and Aahat, to name just a few.

As of 2022, Disha Vakani's estimated net worth stands at around $5 million or 37 crores INR. Her primary sources of income stem from her acting roles in a wide range of movies and TV shows. Notably, she gained widespread recognition through her role in the hit series "Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma," reportedly earning 1.25 lakhs INR per episode, which significantly contributed to her wealth.

Furthermore, it's worth mentioning that Disha Vakani owns a BMW, and her fame in the TV industry led to numerous appearances in television commercials and brand advertisements.

Interesting Facts about Disha Vakani

• In 1997, the Bollywood movie "Kamsin: The Untouched" marked her acting debut in Bollywood.
• Disha Vakani has also appeared in various Gujarati theatre productions, including "Kamal Patel vs. Dhamal Patel" and "Lali Lila," among others.
• Interestingly, her real-life brother, Mayur Vakani, portrays her on-screen brother, Sundarlal, in the television series "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah."
• She received the Indian Telly Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role - Female (Popular) twice for her role in "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah."
• Disha Vakani began her theatre performer career and participated in numerous stage shows.
• Her on-stage debut was in the plays "Kamal Patel vs. Dhamal Patel" and "Lali Lila."
• She starred alongside renowned actors like Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the movie "Jodha Akbar," where she played the character Madhvi.
• After a maternity leave starting in September 2017, Disha Vakani briefly returned to "Tarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah" in October 2019.