“I Wanted to Play a Parsi Character Without Making It a Caricature”: Delnaaz Irani on Her Role in Netflix’s ‘Chumbak’

Actress Delnaaz Irani, known for her timing in comic roles across television and film, takes on a distinct performance in the Netflix comedy series Chumbak. Portraying Gulshan Taraporewala, a matriarch living in the fictional Chumbak Colony, Irani brings to life a traditional Parsi mother whose possessive dynamic with her adult son and daughter-in-law drives much of the show's situational humor.

Sharing insights into her decision to accept the project, Irani revealed that she had intentionally avoided playing Parsi characters for nearly two decades to prevent falling into screen stereotypes. She noted that cinematic portrayals of the community often resort to exaggerated accents, caricatured costumes, and forced mannerisms. In Chumbak, created by JD Majethia and Aatish Kapadia, she found a grounded script that portrays Parsi colony culture naturally without reducing the characters to tropes.

The role presented a substantial performance challenge for the actress, requiring physical transformation and preparatory work. Irani portrays a woman in her late fifties with a son in his thirties—a age demographic significantly older than her real self. To embody Gulshan, she focused on subtle vocal modulation, altered physical mannerisms, and specific styling in hair, makeup, and attire, stepping away from her usual screen persona.

Within the narrative framework of Chumbak Colony—which follows five distinct families including the Merchants, Kejrjwals, Oberois, Khannas, and Taraporewalas—Gulshan is depicted as an overprotective mother. Her intense bond with her son becomes complicated when her daughter-in-law enters the home, creating a humorous domestic dynamic. Off-screen, Irani highlighted her strong personal camaraderie with co-stars Anant V. Joshi and Amyra Dastur, noting that their genuine rapport translated into fluid screen chemistry.

Beyond the household comedy, the character exhibits a warm demeanor toward her community. Gulshan is presented as a compassionate neighbor who enjoys colony interactions alongside her close friend Rajni, played by veteran actress Neena Gupta. Irani noted that this contrast—being generous to the broader community while remaining fiercely territorial over her son—makes the character nuanced and relatable to audiences.