Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: This is when Nirmal Soni will be seen as new Dr Hathi after Kavi Azad's demiseSep 15 (AZINS) The makers of popular sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah have been on the look out for somebody to play the character of Dr. Hathi in the show, ever since the sad demise of Kavi Kumar Azad, who used to portray the role earlier. Looks like their search has finally ended as recent reports suggest that Nirmal Soni has finally come on board for the role in TMKOC. Kavi Azad left for heavenly abode earlier this year on July 9. The actor suffered a severe cardiac arrest due to which he passed away, leaving the makers with no other option but to look for a new actor who can step in his shoes.

Soon after Kavi Azad's demise, speculations were rife that Nirmal Soni will be seen filling in the role of Dr. Hathi on TMKOC, but Nirmal had shared that he hasn't been approached for the role yet. Now, if a report on Pune Mirror is to be believed, Nirmal has joined the TMKOC team and will be seen on Television, doing the Ganesh aarti on the occasion of Ganpati festival, on Monday.

A source close to the show was quoted as saying by the tabloid, "The team had shortlisted two other actors too but they were not very convincing on camera and Nirmal was finalised a few days ago. The new Dr Hathi will be revealed in the Monday episode as Nirmal and his onscreen wife, Ambika Ranjankar, perform the first Ganesh aarti in the show this year. This will be indeed a good surprise for the fans on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi."

Interestingly, before Kavi Azad, it was Nirmal Soni who used to play the character of Dr. Hathi. Looks like he's finally decided to take up his character in the popular sitcom once again! Watch this space...