Disha Vakani Padia (; born 17 August 1978); is a former Indian actress who predominantly worked in Hindi films and television. One of popular actresses of Hindi television, Vakani is widely known for her portrayal as Daya Jethalal Gada in India's longest-running sitcom, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. She is also known for her role in the films, Devdas, Mangal Pandey: The Rising and Jodhaa Akbar.
Early life Disha Vakani was born 17 August 1978 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Her brother, Mayur Vakani is also an actor.
Career
Disha was introduced to theatre at a very young age by her father Bhim Vakani, a noted Gujarati theatre personality. Her career in acting kick-started as a child theatre-artiste with her father. She then graduated in the Dramatic arts from Gujarat College and went on to work in popular plays such as Kamal Patel v/s Dhamal Patel, Baa Retire Thai Che and Lali Lila. She has played supporting roles in Hindi films like Devdas (2002) and Jodhaa Akbar (2008). She has played the lead role of Daya "Dayaben" Jethalal Gada in SAB TV's sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah since 2008. Her brother Mayur Vakani also plays her on-screen brother Sundarlal or Sundar. She went on maternity leave in September 2017 and did not return to the show as of 2026.
Personal life She married a Mumbai-based chartered accountant named Mayur Padia on 24 November 2015. On 27 November 2017, the couple became parents to a baby girl. She gave birth to a baby boy in May 2022.
Filmography Films Year Title Role Language Notes Ref. 1997 Kamsin: The Untouched Pinky Hindi 1998 Mahisagar Na Moti Geeta Gujarati1999 Pandadu Lilu Ne Rang Rato Parul Phool Aur Aag Hindi 2002 Paiso Maro Parmeshwar Gujarati Devdas Sakhi Hindi 2005 Mangal Pandey: The Rising Yasmin 2006 Jaana... Let's Fall in Love Salma Disa 2008 Jodhaa Akbar Madhavi C Kkompany Asha Trivedi Special appearance Love Story 2050 Maid
Television Year Title Role Notes Ref. 2002 Justujoo Mehul's makeup artist 2003 Shubh Mangal Savadhan Sanskriti 2004 Khichdi Various characters 2004–2005 Aahat Bina 2005 Instant Khichdi Nisha Guest appearance Hero – Bhakti Hi Shakti Hai School TeacherRoohKajal SrivastavGuest Appearance(Ep 14) 2006 Resham Dankh Kinari 2008–2019 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah Daya Jethalal Gada 2014CID Special appearance
Accolades
Year Award Category Work Result Ref2008Indian Television Academy AwardsITA Award for Best Actress - ComedyTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah rowspan="10" 2009 Indian Telly Awards Best Actor in a Comic Role – Female (Popular) Indian Television Academy AwardsBest Actress - Comedy 2010 Gold Awards Best Comic Actor (Popular) Indian Telly Awards Best Actor in a Comic Role – Female (Popular)2012Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards IndiaFavorite Actress – TV2014Indian Television Academy AwardsBest Actress - Comedy20152016Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards IndiaFavorite Character — TV (Female)2017Favorite Actress – TV
References
External links