Bhavya Gandhi is an Indian television and film actor, best known for portraying the character Tipendra "Tapu" Jethalal Gada, the lead among the children's group, in the long-running Hindi sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah on Sony SAB. He played the role from the show's launch in 2008 until his exit in 2017, after which he transitioned to Gujarati cinema and theatre.
| Name | Bhavya Gandhi |
|---|---|
| Profession | Actor |
| Known for | Tapu in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah |
| Industries | Hindi television, Gujarati cinema, theatre |
| Native language | Gujarati |
| Active since | Mid-2000s |
| Notable broadcaster | Sony SAB |
Gandhi belongs to a Gujarati family based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He began acting as a child artiste, appearing in advertisements and small television roles before being cast in the role that would define his early career. His mother tongue, Gujarati, later shaped his post-television career in regional cinema.
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, produced by Neela Telefilms and based on Taarak Mehta's column Duniya Ne Undha Chashma in the Gujarati weekly Chitralekha, premiered on SAB TV on 28 July 2008. Gandhi was cast as Tapu, the mischievous son of Jethalal Gada (played by Dilip Joshi) and the leader of the "Tapu Sena" — the gang of children residing in the fictional Gokuldham Society. Through nearly a decade on the show, the character became one of the most recognised young roles on Indian television.
In 2017, Gandhi left the show, citing a wish to pursue other opportunities, particularly in Gujarati films. The role was subsequently recast.
After his exit, Gandhi worked in several Gujarati feature films, contributing to the post-2010 wave of urban Gujarati cinema (often referred to as "Urban Gujarati" films). His filmography includes titles such as Fasai Gaya Re Yaar and Dhup-Chhanv, among other regional projects, alongside web and stage appearances.
Gandhi has also been associated with Gujarati theatre, a vibrant circuit centred in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat, performing in stage productions aimed at Gujarati-speaking audiences in India and the diaspora.
Gandhi is part of a generation of Indian child actors who matured on screen with their audiences through long-running daily sitcoms. His portrayal of Tapu contributed to the recognisability of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, which became one of the longest-running Hindi sitcoms on Indian television and a flagship property for Sony SAB. His subsequent move to Gujarati cinema reflects a broader trend of television actors supporting the revival of regional language films in western India.