Film version of 'Taarak Mehta Ka...' set to roll next year

Comedy show "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah" has completed 1,000 episodes and now its producer Asit Kumar Modi plans to make a movie on the light-hearted series.

"Yes, I am planning to make a movie on 'Taarak Mehta...'. The film is in its scripting stage. I have to take this call because of the viewers' request. They have been requesting me to make a film on 'Taarak...'," Modi told IANS.

"In my film, I assure, I will involve film celebrities. I have already approached many of them. I will soon make an official announcement. These days comedy films are working very well. So I believe this is the right time. I am very excited about the film. The film will go on the floors in 2013," he added.

"Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah" comes on SAB TV. The show revolves around families living in a housing society and Dilip Joshi, Disha Vakani, Amit Bhatt, Shailesh Lodha among others feature in the cast.

Modi plans to shoot "Taarak..." on a different canvas.

"I don't want the audience to feel that they are watching yet another episode of the serial. It should have a fresh take," he added.

Earlier, hit comedy show "Khichdi" was also made into a film, but Modi feels the two films cannot be compared.

" 'Khichdi' basically targetted Gujarati audience but the reach of 'Taarak...' is wider. It doesn't focus only on Gujarati families. So there is no comparison between the films. We have mixed culture in our serial and now it has become a brand," said Modi.