Shailesh Lodha

Shailesh Lodha (born 8 November 1969) is an Indian poet, actor and writer.^[3][4] He is best known for portraying Taarak Mehta in the longest running Hindi sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.

Shailesh Lodha
Lodha in 2012
Born	(1969-11-08) 8 November 1969 (age 55)[1][2] Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Occupation(s)	Poet Actor Writer Host Anchor Motivational Speaker
Years active	1997–present
Known for	Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
Spouse	Dr Swati Lodha
Children	1

Personal life

Lodha was born in Jodhpur in a Marwari family.^[5] Lodha is married to a management author, Swati Lodha, and has a daughter Swara. Since his father was transferred to different places, Lodha travelled a lot. His mother loved reading and had a good vocabulary in Hindi. At the age of nine, Lodha was nicknamed "Baal Kavi". He had an office job, but he left it to follow his passion, i.e. writing poems.^[2] In a 2015 interview Lodha said, "I am half Jain".^[6] Lodha has completed B.Sc.^[7]

Career

Shailesh Lodha at 12 years anniversary of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah show

Lodha first appeared on Wah Wah a poetry show created by Shri Adhikari Brothers and then Comedy Circus as a contestant, and later in Comedy ka Mahamukabla.^[8][9] He portrayed Taarak Mehta in the sitcom series Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah from 2008 to 2022.^[10][11][12]

Lodha was the main presenter in the TV program Wah! Wah! Kya Baat Hai! telecast on SAB TV during 2012-13. In 2019, he appeared in the comedy film Wig Boss along with Sunil Pal and Rakhi Sawant.^[13]

In 2022, Lodha filed a lawsuit against producer Asit Kumarr Modi for his pending dues and on his production company Neela Tele Films. On 5 August 2023, the verdict came in Lodha's favour.^[14]

Filmography

Television

Years	Title	Role	Notes
2008–2022	Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah	Taarak Mehta	[15]
2008	Comedy Circus 2	Himself
2011	Comedy Ka Maha Muqabala		[16]
	Bahut Khoob	Host	[17]
2013–2014	Wah! Wah! Kya Baat Hai!		[18]
2022–2023	Waah Bhai Waah		[19]
2024	Indian Idol 14	Guest
	Madness Machayenge - India Ko Hasayenge		[20][21]
2024	Advocate Anjali Awasthi	Ramesh Patel

Author

Lodha has written four books: the first two are satirical humour; the third is a self-help book co-written with his wife; and his most recent book, Diljale Ka Facebook Status, is a collection of poems written from the point of view of a jilted lover.^[10]

Awards

• National Srijan Award 2016^[22]
• Bharat Gaurav
• Rajasthan Gaurav
• Kaka Hathrasi Hasya Ratna Award 2022^[23]

TV awards

• 2014 – Zee Gold Awards (Best Anchor)
• 2018 – Zee Gold Awards (Best Actor in Comic Role) [Male]