They accused me of trying to extort money from them: Jennifer
The actress, who has been a part of Taarak Mehta…for over a decade, says, “I joined the show in 2008 and later when I was pregnant, I took a three year break around 2013. I resumed in 2016, after that there were problems with payment and there was mental harassment, but I kept silent.I often complained to producer Asit Modi about non-payment of dues or half day salary cut, but he asked me to speak with Sohil Ramani.
Jennifer also alleges sexual harassment in March 2019. She says, “We went to shoot in Singapore on March 5th. On 8th March, Asit Modi complimented my lips and said I was worth kissing and also invited me to her room. I was scared and two of my colleagues helped me. They always came in between whenever he approached me. Even on set, he would tug on my cheeks and say how hot I was.
The final straw, she says, was when she applied for time off during Holi this year. Jennifer recounts: “They didn’t let me take a break on Holi (March 7). They even tried to stop me from leaving the set, but I managed to walk away. On March 24th they emailed me saying she had caused them an additional expense. All these years I’ve used up my jewellery, footwear and makeup, so what are these expenses? I replied to their mail and shared the problems I’ve had over the years. But they came back saying I was trying to extort money. So on April 8, I mailed my complaint to senior police officials and also sent them a notice.
We have stopped his services, so he is making these baseless allegations: Asit Kumarr Modi
The production company says Jennifer is making these allegations because she was removed from the show. Producer Asit Kumarr Modi told us, “We will be taking legal action as she is trying to defame me and the show. Since we have terminated your services, you are making these baseless allegations.
Directing team members Harshad Joshi, Rushi Dave and Arman Dhanesha also released a joint statement saying, “Jennifer lacked basic discipline on set and was not focusing on her work. We had to regularly complain to the production manager about her behavior. On her last day (March 7), she assaulted the entire unit and left the set without finishing filming.”
Sohil Ramani and Jatin Bajaj also shared a statement which read, “She regularly misbehaved on the show with the entire team. When she left the set (March 7), she recklessly drove her own car at very high speed. You even damaged the property on the set. We had to terminate her contract due to her bad behavior and indiscipline during filming. During this incident, Asitji was in the United States. She is now trying to defame us and the show by making unsubstantiated allegations.
Meanwhile, the Powai Police are investigating the matter. DCP Maheshwar Reddy said, “We received a complaint application from Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal some time ago and are investigating the matter.”
