Mumbai, July 29 — Actor Mandar Chandwadkar, known for portraying Aatmaram Tukaram Bhide in the long-running sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, has spoken about the anxiety he experienced after beginning to lose his hair at the age of 23 and how the same appearance later became central to his most recognisable role.

Speaking during the show’s 18th-anniversary celebrations on 28 July, Chandwadkar reflected on the early setbacks that preceded his casting. He trained as a mechanical engineer and worked in Dubai between 1997 and 2000. Before leaving India he had appeared in a Marathi serial and believed his acting career was under way, but family responsibilities prompted the move abroad.

Within six months of arriving in Dubai he noticed significant hair loss. “At that time, I was hardly 23 years old. You can imagine the mental condition of someone who wants to enter this field after losing his hair at such a young age. I was very nervous,” he said.

A roommate suggested that the new look might eventually work in his favour. Chandwadkar later came to agree. “My roommate told me that maybe my look would become my asset, and perhaps it did. Asit sir liked my look very much and trusted me with the role.”

He still remembers the audition dialogue that introduced Bhide as the prospective secretary of Gokuldham Society—a manner of speaking that has remained closely associated with the character. “Thank you very much, Asit sir. It has been 18 years, but the journey has just started. The destination is still far,” he added.

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, produced by Asit Kumarr Modi, premiered on SAB TV on 28 July 2008. Inspired by Tarak Mehta’s Gujarati column Duniya Ne Undha Chashma, the series follows the everyday lives of residents in a Mumbai housing society. It has become one of Indian television’s longest-running comedy programmes.

The principal cast includes Dilip Joshi as Jethalal, Amit Bhatt as Champaklal, Sonalika Joshi as Madhavi Bhide, Munmun Dutta as Babita Iyer, Shyam Pathak as Popatlal, Tanmay Vekaria as Bagha, Tanuj Mahashabde as Krishnan Iyer and Sachin Shroff as Taarak Mehta.

Chandwadkar’s account framed the early physical change as a source of professional anxiety that ultimately contributed to the distinctive screen presence for which he is now known. The anniversary remarks placed that personal history within the larger context of a show that has remained on air for nearly two decades.