Munmun Dutta, widely recognized as Babita Ji from the long-running sitcom "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah," recently took a trip down memory lane, sharing throwback pictures of the late Ghanshyam Nayak, fondly known as Nattu Kaka. The actress shared these nostalgic images on her Instagram, reminiscing about the cherished moments she shared with the veteran actor.
In the shared snippets from years past, Munmun included a picture where Ghanshyam Nayak is seen holding her purse. She captioned the image, "Wow, I can't believe what I found in my memories today," and added, "Dilipji making fun of adorable Ghanshyam uncle (Nattukaka) for holding my purse." Another picture was captioned, "He was one of my favorite people," expressing her deep affection for Nayak. She also expressed her gratitude for technology that preserves these memories.
Ghanshyam Nayak, who played the role of Nattu Kaka for over 13 years in "Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah," passed away on October 3, 2021, after a battle with cancer. His character, known for his unique expressions and memorable catchphrases, had become an iconic part of Indian television.
Earlier, following Nayak's death in 2021, Munmun penned a heartfelt tribute to her late co-star on Instagram, expressing how heartbroken she was. She wrote about his fighting spirit and inspirational words, especially remembering how he recited Sanskrit shlokas on set after recovering from chemotherapy to demonstrate that his pronunciation was still perfect, which earned him a standing ovation from the team. She fondly remembered him calling her "Dikri," a Gujarati word for daughter, and considering her as such.
Munmun has also spoken about her bond with Nayak, mentioning how he always had positive things to say about their set, unit, and team, considering it his second home. She fondly remembered him sharing stories from his early struggles.
The actress acknowledged what a celebrated artist Ghanshyam Nayak had been throughout his life. She emphasized that she would always remember him as a genuine and "cute" person. Despite his deteriorating health in his last year, he remained positive and wanted to keep working. She felt blessed to have known him for 13 years and hoped he was in a better place, saying that heaven was brighter because of him.
In addition to her tributes to Ghanshyam Nayak, Munmun Dutta has also shared insights into her personal life, including her approach to finances. In an interview, she revealed that she comes from a lower-middle-class background and has always been cautious with money. Her priority has always been to save and invest wisely, with one of her biggest dreams being to buy a house in Mumbai. She emphasized the importance of financial stability and peace of mind, which allowed her to pursue her career without the stress of immediate survival.
Munmun Dutta's recent sharing of throwback pictures and her past heartfelt tributes reveal the deep respect and affection she held for Ghanshyam Nayak. These memories resonate with fans, who continue to cherish his contribution to Indian television.