NicholasPrentice at 20:02, 4 February 2026

2026-02-04T20:02:32Z

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{{Short description|Fictional character}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Daya Jethalal Gada
| series = [[Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah]]
| image = Disha.Vakani.jpg
| caption = [[Disha Vakani]] as Daya Jethalal Gada
| first_major = [[Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah]]
| creator = [[Tarak Mehta]]
| portrayer ={{ubl|[[Disha Vakani]]<br/>(2008–2017, 2018; 2019)}}
| voice = Bhoomika Jain (''[[Taarak Mehta Kka Chhota Chashmah]]'', animated TV series)
| lbl1 = Spin-off
| data1 = ''[[Taarak Mehta Kka Chhota Chashmah]]''
| full_name = Daya Jethalal Gada
| nickname =
| alias = {{ubl|Daya "Tapu ke Papa" Gada
|Garba Queen
}}
| occupation =Homemaker
| relatives ={{ubl|[[Jethalal Gada]] (husband)|Tipendra "Tapu" Jethalal Gada (son)
|Sundar (brother)
|Champaklal Jayantilal Gada (father-in-law)
}}
| religion = [[Jainism]]
| origin = [[Ahmedabad]], [[Gujarat]], India
| home = Gokuldham Society
| nationality = Indian
| lbl21 = Hometown
| data21 = [[Mumbai]], Maharashtra, India
}}

'''Daya Jethalal Gada''' also known as '''Dayaben''', is a fictional character from the television series ''[[Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah]]''. Daya is the wife of businessman [[Jethalal Gada]] and is among the central characters of the series. She lives with her husband and their son Tipendra, affectionately known as Tapu. The character was created by [[Tarak Mehta]] and portrayed by [[Disha Vakani]].

Daya Jethalal Gada, portrayed by Disha Vakani is a lovable homemaker known for her unique quirks, innocence and cooking skills. Her character emphasis community values and is known as a dutiful mother and wife. Daya is popularly referred to as "Garba Queen", and has become a popular character on Indian television. Her catchphrases "Hey Maa Mata Ji" and "Aee Halo" are popular too.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pretty women |author=Jhumari Nigam-Misra |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/supplement/story/20091123-pretty-women-741298-2009-11-11 |date=12 November 2009 |access-date=14 May 2013 |archive-date=22 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922201913/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Pretty+women+/1/70595.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Development ==
[[Disha Vakani]], known for her supporting parts in films and for her Gujarati plays was cast as the Gujarati homemaker, Daya Jethalal Gada.<ref>{{cite news |date=30 December 2011 |title=I enjoy acting: Disha Vakani |url=http://mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/tv/I-enjoy-acting-Disha-Vakani/articleshow/16193137.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111103004/http://mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/tv/I-enjoy-acting-Disha-Vakani/articleshow/16193137.cms |archive-date=11 November 2013 |access-date=14 May 2013 |newspaper=Mumbai Mirror}}</ref> Disha played the character from 2008 to 2017. She took a maternity leave in 2017, but then decided to leave the show. As of 2024, the character of Daya has an open exit, since Vakani was not replaced by [[Asit Kumarr Modi]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/television/report-confirmed-disha-vakani-not-returning-as-dayaben-on-taarak-mehta-ka-ooltah-chashmah-2711350 |title=Confirmed! Disha Vakani not returning as Dayaben on 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' |date=23 January 2019 |website=DNA India|language=en |access-date=19 February 2019 |archive-date=20 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220002732/https://www.dnaindia.com/television/report-confirmed-disha-vakani-not-returning-as-dayaben-on-taarak-mehta-ka-ooltah-chashmah-2711350 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, in 2018 and in 2019, Vakani played Daya for two special episodes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/taarak-mehta-ka-ooltah-chashmah-disha-vakani-aka-daya-ben-returns-to-shoot-for-special-segment-7502011.html/amp|title=Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: Disha Vakani aka Daya Ben returns to shoot for special segment|website=Firstpost|access-date=28 February 2020}}</ref>

== Characterization ==
Daya is shown as a Gujarati homemaker who loves her family and is deeply traditional. Her relationship with her husband Jethalal, is a husband and wife's relationship filled with love, friendship and humour.<ref>{{cite news |title=Comedy Inc |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/comedy-inc/640054/0 |date=1 July 2010 |access-date=14 May 2013 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012015838/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/comedy-inc/640054/0 |url-status=live}}</ref> She shares a quirky relationship with her brother Sundar Lal (played by her real brother, Mayur Vakani). Daya's character also possesses a collection of Gujarati sarees and heavy jewellers. Her friendship with [[Anjali Taarak Mehta|Anjali]] (played by [[Neha Mehta]]), and interactions with Sundar and her mother, Jeevdaya, is a source of entertainment and comic relief. Daya is also known for her dance and is popularly called as the "Garba Queen" of Ahmedabad. Her cooking traditional dishes, reflects the rich cultural heritage of [[Gujarat]] and resonates with viewers.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Gujarat comes alive on TV|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv/news-and-gossip/Gujarat-comes-alive-on-TV/articleshow/17293926.cms|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=23 October 2018|date=23 October 2018|first=Shruti|last=Jambhekar|archive-date=24 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024083759/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv/news-and-gossip/Gujarat-comes-alive-on-TV/articleshow/17293926.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Legacy and influence ==
[[File:Disha Wakani on the sets of KBC 07.jpg|thumb|Daya's saree collection is a distinctive feature of the character.]]

Vakani's portrayal of Daya has garnered significant acclaim, establishing her as a beloved character in Indian television.<ref>{{cite news |title=Funny female bone |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Funny-female-bone/articleshow/4681848.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |date=21 June 2009 |access-date=14 May 2013 |archive-date=24 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724024753/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-21/mumbai/28175223_1_gujarati-daya-housewife |url-status=live}}</ref> Her performance has contributed to the show's longevity, making Daya one of the iconic characters in Indian sitcom history. Despite Vakani leaving the show, her portrayal remain irreplaceable. Vakani's on-screen pairing with [[Dilip Joshi]] has garnered significant attention, with fans frequently expressing their admiration for the couple.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/daya-and-jethalal-ki-hawa-hawai-/articleshow/14300937.cms|title=Daya and Jethalal ki hawa hawai......|website=The Times of India|date=20 June 2012|access-date=28 January 2019}}</ref>

Writing for ''[[Times of India]]'', Navya Malini said, "There are a number of reasons why Daya has become a household name among the Hindi TV viewers. Consistency, dedication and attention to different layers of characteristion have enabled Disha retain the innocence of Daya."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/tv-actress-disha-vakani-has-added-her-signature-style-to-the-character-of-daya/articleshow/49538777.cms|title=TV actress Disha Vakani has added her signature style to the character of Daya|website=The Times of India|access-date=26 October 2021}}</ref> Several publications like ''[[Pinkvilla]]'', ''[[Zee News]]'', ''[[Times Now]]'' and ''[[ScoopWhoop]]'' term Daya among the "most iconic characters" of Indian television.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/tv/news/top-9-iconic-female-characters-of-tv-from-kyunki-saas-bhi-kabhi-bahu-this-tulsi-to-balika-vadhus-anandi-the-era-we-still-cherish-1332851?amp|title=Top 9 iconic female characters of TV: From Tulsi to Daya, the era we still cherish|website=Pinkvilla|access-date=29 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://zeenews.india.com/web-stories/entertainment/iconic-10-indian-tv-characters-that-are-irreplaceable-2794427.html|title=10 iconic Indian TV characters that are irreplaceable|website=Zee News|access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/web-stories/entertainment/10-unforgettable-tv-characters-we-love/photostory/111802512.cms|title=10 unforgettable TV characters we love|website=Times Now|access-date=29 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/entertainment/fav-hindi-show-characters/|title=35 Unforgettable TV Characters Who'll Stay With Us Forever|website=Scoop Whoop|access-date=29 January 2021}}</ref>

== In other media ==
In 2023 [[Neela Film Productions|Neela Films]], the production house of the show,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah's makers venture into gaming |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/taarak-mehta-ka-ooltah-chashmah-makers-venture-into-gaming/article67378965.ece/ |access-date=14 October 2024 |website=The Hindu |date=4 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref> launched mobile game, after investing a noteworthy sum of ₹24 crore into the gaming platform.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TMKOC To Launch 18 New Games on Jethalal, Daya, Taarak, Anjali and More |url=https://www.indiatodaygaming.com/news/national/story/tmkoc-to-launch-18-new-games-on-jethalal-babitaji-bhide-madhavi-goli-and-more-3899 |access-date=16 October 2024 |website=India Today Gaming |language=en}}</ref> The character of Daya is a part of the games "Daya Match Pool" and "Run Jetha Run" among others.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-19 |title=Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah goes beyond TV |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/taarak-mehta-ka-ooltah-chashmah-expands-into-gaming-and-merchandise/articleshow/115282902.cms |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=The Times of India |language=en-US}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Garha|Gada]]
* [[Disha Vakani]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://taarakmehtakaooltahchashmah.com/daya-jethalal-ghada/ Daya Jethalal Gada] at TMKOC's official website
{{Commons}}

[[Category:Fictional characters from the 21st century]]
[[Category:Female characters in television]]
[[Category:Sitcom characters]]
[[Category:Comedy television characters]]
[[Category:Television characters introduced in 2008]]
[[Category:Fictional Indian people]]
[[Category:Fictional housewives]]
[[Category:Female characters in sitcoms]]

Daya Jethalal Gada - Revision history

NicholasPrentice at 20:02, 4 February 2026