19 September,2026 03:57 PM IST | Mumbai | Shruti Sampat
Shyam Pathak (Picture via Instagram)
The current track of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has left Gokuldham Society and its viewers intrigued, with Popatlal's home becoming the centre of a mysterious turn of events. The journalist's attempts to manifest his dream of marriage take an unexpected turn when a mannequin dressed as a bride enters his life. What begins as a harmless exercise soon turns eerie, with the mannequin seemingly moving on its own and a series of jewellery thefts adding to the mystery.
In an exclusive conversation with mid-day, actor Shyam Pathak, who plays Popatlal, opened up about the track and the fun of shooting it. "This is an amazing track. We are thoroughly enjoying shooting it because the way the story has been made, the screenplay has been made, it is very interesting. There are lots of twists and turns," he said.
Explaining Popatlal's intentions, Pathak said, "A guy who is not married is badly wanting to get settled in life. One of his friends tells him that there is something called manifestations that you manifest for that you want in your life. And then if you do that, then probably, it comes faster, sooner."
Popatlal consequently brings home a mannequin dressed as a bride and starts visualising his future wife. However, the move sparks confusion in Gokuldham. "This poor guy, he brings a mannequin of a dulhan, of a would-be wife, puts it in the home and thinks that every day in the morning and evening, I keep seeing, visualising, manifesting and probably I'll get married soon," Pathak explained.
Things take a mysterious turn when Popatlal begins noticing strange occurrences around the mannequin. "Sometimes there is a sound coming from there. Sometimes, his veil slips. He puts it down, and then it goes back up again," he revealed.
The mystery deepens when jewellery belonging to Gokuldham residents starts disappearing. "Coincidentally, it happens that everything gets stolen one after another," said Pathak. When the stolen jewellery is eventually discovered near the mannequin, the police suspect Popatlal and take him into custody. However, the Gokuldham residents refuse to believe he could be responsible and set out to uncover the real culprit.
Pathak credited producer Asit Kumarr Modi and the creative team for the track. "The credit for this goes to Asit Bhai and the creative team. They work really very hard on each and every story and the track that they bring," he said.
On the recurring bhootni tracks surrounding Popatlal's marriage, he joked, "There are lots of Bhootnis. I think this discussion is going on in the society of Bhootnis. There is a person left who is not getting married. So, if he is not getting married to a human being, then why not let's try."
Reflecting on nearly 18 years of playing Popatlal, Pathak added, "We have been doing the show almost for like 18 years now. We spend 12 hours on set, and we have been living almost this life. Second life, you can say. Life of Popatlal." He concluded, "I am thankful to Asit Bhai that he has given me this opportunity to believe that I am a bachelor for almost 18 years now, for at least 12 hours a day."
