Bhubaneswar: A pall of gloom descended on the fans of humorous TV serial Taarak Mehta Kaa Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC) as one of its popular characters, Dr Hansraj Hathi, died Monday of cardiac arrest.
Kavi Kumar Azad (his real name) had entertained viewers with his acting since 2008. He also played a major role to make the show popular across the country. The show was about to celebrate a decade of telecasting (started July 28, 2008), but the sad demise shocked all its actors and television viewers.
The fans of Azad in the city expressed their condolences.
Santosh Kumar Kuldeep, a diehard fan of the show said his research paper was Taarak Mehta Kaa Ooltah Chashmah: Its impact on Society.
Kuldeep said, “I was a great fan of the show. I liked characters journalist Popatlal, businessman Jethalal and Dr Hathi. Hathi was a jovial character who loved sweets in the serial. I too loved him. During my research in Journalism and Mass Communication I found a craze for the show among its young fans.”
TMKOC completes 2,500 episodes
The team of TMKOC celebrated completion of its 2,500 episodes recently. The show is based on popular column Duniya Ne Oondha Chashma by Taarak Mehta, a journalist of a Gujarati magazine. Taarak Mehta is also the longest running Indian sitcom and has entered the Guinness Book of World Records.
Krutibash Ojha, who has been watching the show expressed his heartfelt condolences. “I was too numb when I heard the news. I am deeply saddened. He was one of the major characters who made the serial spicy. I liked his acting and his craze for food in the show.”
Swagatika Khora, a resident of Rasulgarh, said she will miss Dr Hathi. “The character was perfect for Kavi Kumar Azad. He acted beautifully. Although, the show will continue, I don’t think any other actor can replace him.”
It was a mourning time for the Beheras of Rasulgarh who have been watching the show and Dr Hathi. “As a family we watch the serial together. We are fans of all actors of the show. But whenever Dr Hathi was on the screen we all laughed together. The background sound of an elephant’s trumpet was the icing on the cake. He is irreplaceable. May his soul rest in peace,” said Mamata Behera.
Many families shed genuine tears on the demise of the veteran actor. “Actor Azad will remain in our hearts forever,” said his fans.
Kavi Kumar Azad had come from Bihar to Mumbai to try his luck in the entertainment world. He had figured in Fun2shh and Aamir Khan’s Mela. His popularity soared when he played Dr Hansraj Hathi in TMKOC. The actor has two fast food outlets in Mumbai.
