Actor Amitt Bhatt, widely recognized for his portrayal of Champaklal in the popular television series Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (TMKOC), has been winning the hearts of audiences with his captivating performance. While viewers adore the father-son dynamic between Champaklal and Jethalal, many are unaware that Bhatt is actually younger than his on-screen son, Dilip Joshi. In an old interview with the YouTube channel The Moi Blog, Bhatt opened up about accepting the role of Champaklal at the age of 35, his close bond with Joshi, and the sacrifices he made to bring the character to life.
On Landing the Role in TMKOC
Bhatt revealed that he never auditioned for any role in his career. He said, "I have never given an audition in my life. I never felt the need because I kept getting work one after another. Maybe I was lucky, but I also never said no to any job that came my way." He expressed gratitude to the channel and the show, adding, "I often thank the channel and especially Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah." Bhatt and Joshi share a long history, having worked together in a Gujarati theatre play, the show FIR, and a film directed by Umesh Shukla. When producer Asit Modi called them for a meeting, he offered Joshi the choice between playing Jethalal or Champaklal.
Dilip Joshi Was Offered Both Roles
Bhatt explained that a write-up titled "Duniya Ne Undha Chashma" by Taarak Mehta included caricatures of all characters, including Champaklal. Joshi felt he was better suited for Jethalal and focused on that role. Modi later told Bhatt that they had auditioned many actors for Champaklal but hadn't found the right fit.
Dilip Joshi Suggested Bhatt for Bapuji's Character
Joshi recommended Bhatt for the role. Modi called Bhatt, and they met for 15-20 minutes. Modi asked, "Will you do this role? It is the role of an elderly man." Bhatt immediately agreed, saying, "Yes, of course I will. Why not? It's a challenging role for me." This led to his casting.
Natural Chemistry with Dilip Joshi
Bhatt noted that he already shared a good bond with Joshi, which created natural chemistry. He was also offered another role with a more regular look but chose Champaklal because Jethalal's family is central to the show. He said, "Had I chosen another character, I would have been away from the family setup, and I didn't find that as exciting. Playing Champaklal felt more challenging, and that challenge is what attracted me to the role."
No Nervousness About Playing an Older Character
Having a theatre background with 15 years of experience, Bhatt had previously played a character at four different ages—20, 35, 45, and 65. Thus, playing an older character was not new. He said, "I never felt nervous about taking on the role." He worked hard daily to make the character believable, taking suggestions and experimenting. After six months, everything fell into place.
Bapuji's Beliefs and Real-Life Similarities
Bhatt explained that Jethalal is lazy and enjoys eating, while Bapuji believes he should be disciplined and punctual. "That's why he keeps scolding him. After all, you usually scold the people you care about the most." Bhatt added that he is about 70 percent like Champaklal in real life, being very disciplined and punctual.
Starting the Role at 35
When Bhatt began playing Champaklal at 35, the show's popularity grew. He recalled, "Even people much older than me would come and touch my feet, calling me 'Bapuji' and treating me like an elder." Initially strange, he later understood it was their love for the character.
First Scene and Wig Woes
Bhatt had long, silky hair when he started. For his first scene at VT Station, he wore a wig. The makeup artist took nearly two and a half hours to put it on. After 12 hours of shooting outdoors in the heat, the wig looked artificial. He worried viewers wouldn't believe the character.
Sacrifices for Authenticity
For the first two years, Champaklal didn't wear a cap, so Bhatt had to maintain a bald look by shaving his head every alternate day. He shaved it exactly 283 times. He said, "Once I shaved my head, people completely believed the look."
