Delnaaz Irani reveals why she avoided playing Parsi characters for years

Delnaaz Irani. Pic/Yogen Shah

Actress Delnaaz Irani, who has essayed several memorable comic characters throughout her career, has opened up about playing a Parsi character in the recently released show "Chumbak."

In an exclusive quote shared with IANS, the actress revealed that she had consciously stayed away from portraying Parsi characters for years, largely because of the way the community is often represented on screen, with exaggerated accents, mannerisms, and costumes. However, Delnaaz said she was drawn to "Chumbak," as the Taraporewala family is portrayed in a more natural and relatable manner.

"I have played a lot of iconic comic roles in the past, but this character is obviously very different. In fact, I had consciously said no to playing Parsi characters for the longest time. Throughout my career, I think I have played only one Parsi role, which was in Batliwala House No. 43, another show by JD and Aatish, way back in 2004-2005," she said.

Adding to this, the ‘Kal Ho Na Ho' actress mentioned, "After so many years, I am playing a Parsi character again because I feel that whenever the Parsi community is portrayed in the industry, it often becomes a little caricature-ish. The characters are made to speak in a particular way, their outfits and mannerisms are exaggerated, and I don't think that always feels natural."

She further explained that the Taraporewala family has been portrayed as a relatable family that audiences can genuinely connect with, rather than as exaggerated comic stereotypes. "Batliwala House No. 43 was based on the Parsi community, with the entire story and setting revolving around Parsi culture. Similarly, Chumbak features five different families, and the Taraporewalas are genuinely portrayed as the kind of Parsis you would see living in Parsi colonies. I didn't want to play a caricature for the longest time, which is why this role felt like something I wanted to explore after so many years."

The character also gave Delnaaz an opportunity to challenge herself as an actor. Expressing the same, she mentioned, "I wanted to challenge myself as an actor and say, ‘Okay, Delnaaz, go ahead and do this. Let's see if you can actually play a typical Parsi character.' It was a completely different experience for me, and of course, working with JD and Aatish also drew me towards the role, the character and the entire premise."

In the Netflix comedy series "Chumbak," Delnaaz Irani plays Gulshan Taraporewala, a quintessential Parsi mother-in-law with a humorous and lively personality.

The series premiered on Netflix on September 10, 2026.

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