Delnaaz Irani has opened up about playing Gulshan Tarapurwala, an overbearing Parsi mother, in Netflix’s comedy series ‘Chumbak’. In a recent interview, the actor revealed that filmmaker Aatish Kapadia had written the character with her in mind. Irani also discussed the extensive preparation that went into creating Gulshan, her decision to embrace the character’s quirks without turning her into a caricature, and her long-standing association with Kapadia and Jamnadas Majethia.

Delnaaz Irani says she cannot imagine anyone else as Gulshan Tarapurwala

Delnaaz Irani recalled being told by the team of ‘Chumbak’ that they could not imagine anyone else playing Gulshan Tarapurwala.“We can’t see another Gulshan Tarapurwala besides Delnaaz Irani,” the actor recalled the cast and crew telling her in a conversation with Mid Day.Irani initially assumed the compliment was simply encouragement. However, after watching the completed OTT series, she said she developed the same confidence in her portrayal.“Now, after watching all the episodes, I can proudly say that I cannot see any other Gulshan Tarapurwala besides me,” she said.

Delnaaz Irani reveals Aatish Kapadia wrote the role for her

The actor’s association with the makers of ‘Chumbak’ goes back several years. Irani recalled meeting Aatish Kapadia and Jamnadas Majethia at Rupali Ganguly’s birthday party around two-and-a-half years ago.“About two-and-a-half years ago at Rupali Ganguly’s birthday party, Aatish and JD told me that they are writing something for Netflix, and if it all works out they want me to do a part. I have known them since our Gujarati theatre days. Then I did Batliwala House No. 43 with them in 2005. While I have done cameos in their shows Khichidi and Baa Bahu Aur Baby, I never got a full-fledged show with them for the longest time. I feel this is something I manifested,” smiles Irani.“Aatish was very confident because somewhere he had written this part keeping me in mind,” she said.

Delnaaz Irani prepared for ‘Chumbak’ by revisiting her own wardrobe

Landing the role involved more than simply auditioning. Irani went through her cupboard and pulled out her old clothes to create the look of a Parsi mother for her audition. The preparation helped her understand the visual personality of Gulshan while allowing her to approach the character from a place of familiarity rather than relying solely on exaggerated stereotypes.

Why Delnaaz Irani avoided stereotypical Parsi characters

Irani admitted that she had previously stayed away from playing Parsi characters because she was concerned about the way the community has often been represented in Hindi films and television.“I didn’t want to do that because I don’t speak Parsi Hindi. And I didn’t want to play a Parsi [just for comic effect],” she explained.For Irani, ‘Chumbak’ offered a different opportunity. While Gulshan is loud, overbearing and prone to exaggerated reactions, the character exists within a fully developed family rather than functioning simply as comic relief.“In Chumbak, of course, the quirks, madness, and over-the-top [reactions] are all there. But we’ve shown a full-fledged Parsi family who is involved in taking the story ahead. It’s not a side character just for comedy,” Irani said.

Delnaaz Irani compares her Parsi character with Amyra Dastur

Irani also shared a humorous insight into the cast’s approach to Parsi culture while discussing Amyra Dastur, who plays her daughter-in-law Hutoxi. Asked who is more Parsi between the two actors, Irani laughed while explaining how their characters and approaches differed.“Anant [Joshi, who plays her son Freddy] thinks he has now become more Parsi than either of us. Amyra is a sober Parsi. She understands everything, but she speaks in Anglicised Parsi. Aatish would also give instructions in Parsi, and move on. But Anant was like, ‘Who will instruct me?’ It would be so funny.”

Delnaaz Irani’s Parsi connection goes back to ‘Batliwala House No. 43’

Irani’s history with the makers of ‘Chumbak’ adds another layer to her casting. She previously played Gulshan Batliwala in the 2005 comedy sitcom ‘Batliwala House No. 43’, an adaptation of the popular series ‘The Kumars at No. 42’. Her earlier collaboration with Kapadia and Majethia, combined with Kapadia’s decision to write Gulshan Tarapurwala keeping her in mind, made ‘Chumbak’ a significant reunion for the actor.