For sixteen years, Kush Shah showed up to the sets of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah and became Goli. He joined the show in 2008 when he was in fifth grade, and by the time he left in July 2024, he had grown up entirely on screen. Millions of viewers watched that happen in real time. Walking away from a character that defined your entire childhood and adolescence is not a small thing, but Kush did it to pursue something he had been quietly planning for a while. He moved to New York.
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| Kush Shah played Goli in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah for 16 years before leaving the show in July 2024 to pursue studies in New York. |
Who Is Kush Shah?
Kush Shah is an Indian actor born on July 29, 1997, in Mumbai. He is best known for playing Gulab Kumar "Goli" Hansraj Hathi in the long-running SAB TV sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah from 2008 to 2024. Goli, the son of Dr. Hansraj Hathi and Komal Hathi, was a member of the beloved Tapu Sena gang and one of the most recognisable characters in the show's 16-year run.
| Full Name | Kush Shah |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 29, 1997 |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, India |
| Known For | Goli in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah (2008 to 2024) |
| Character Name | Gulab Kumar "Goli" Hansraj Hathi |
| Years on TMKOC | 16 years (2008 to 2024) |
| Education | Fatima High School, Mumbai; pursuing further studies in New York (2024) |
| Based In | New York (as of 2024) |
Background and Early Life
Kush grew up in Mumbai and completed his schooling at Fatima High School. He was passionate about acting from a young age and participated in school plays before his professional break arrived. He later enrolled at K. J. Somaiya Institute of Management but could not continue there due to personal reasons. His entry into TMKOC came when he was spotted as a young child and cast as Goli, a role that would define the next sixteen years of his life.
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: 16 Years as Goli
Kush joined Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah in 2008 at the very start of the show, when he was in fifth grade. Produced by Asit Kumar Modi and airing on SAB TV, the show became one of the longest-running sitcoms in Indian television history. Goli, as part of the Tapu Sena, was a fan favourite throughout the show's run. His comedic timing and chemistry with the ensemble cast kept the character consistently popular with audiences of all ages.
He remained on the show even as several contemporaries from the Tapu Sena, including Jheel Mehta and Nidhi Bhanushali, left to focus on studies. Kush stayed until July 2024, when he announced his farewell in an emotional video on the show's official YouTube channel. In the video he said he was very young when the show began and thanked producer Asit Kumar Modi for trusting him and making the character of Goli interesting. He said: "He trusted me so much, made my character so interesting and always inspired me. Because of his trust, Kush became Goli today." He was replaced by actor Dharmit Turakhiya, who took on the role from August 2024.
Beyond the sets, Kush has spoken on podcasts about his years on TMKOC, discussing body positivity, mentorship from senior cast members like Dilip Joshi and Mandar Chandwadkar, and his friendship with Shah Rukh Khan who visited the sets.
Life After TMKOC: New York
After leaving the show, Kush relocated to New York to continue his education and pursue his passion for acting more formally. He has spoken candidly about the adjustment of living independently, describing the experience as a "reality check," including navigating everyday life far from family and the familiar routines of a long-running show set. No new acting projects have been publicly confirmed as of the time of this article, but his move abroad is understood to be focused on formal acting training.
Social Media
Kush is active on Instagram. His official handle is @theekushshah. His following grew significantly over his TMKOC years and continues to hold the audience he built through the show.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kush Shah leave TMKOC?
Kush Shah left Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah in July 2024 to pursue higher education abroad. He relocated to New York after leaving the show.
Who replaced Kush Shah as Goli in TMKOC?
Actor Dharmit Turakhiya replaced Kush Shah as Goli from August 2024 onwards.
How long was Kush Shah in TMKOC?
Kush Shah was part of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah for 16 years, from 2008 to July 2024.
What is Kush Shah doing now?
As of 2024 and into 2026, Kush Shah is based in New York, where he relocated after leaving TMKOC to pursue further education and acting training.

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