Veteran actress Delnaaz Irani has made a special appearance in Sony SAB's medical drama Hui Gumm Yaadein, produced by Sobo Films, portraying Chandni Khanna, a former superstar grappling with insecurities that come with fame, ageing, and changing public perception.
While the role may be a cameo, Delnaaz believes its message carries significant social relevance. Through Chandni's journey, the actress hopes to spark conversations around age shaming and body shaming—issues she feels continue to affect many individuals in the entertainment industry and beyond.
Speaking about her character, Delnaaz describes Chandni as a once-celebrated star who still commands admiration but is struggling with the fear of becoming irrelevant.
“Chandni is a former superstar, much like the iconic leading ladies of the 1990s. She has a loyal fan base and a flamboyant personality, but as she grows older, she begins to feel that the attention she once received is fading. She worries that journalists, photographers, and even fans may no longer be interested in her,” Delnaaz shared.
The actress was particularly drawn to the emotional depth behind the character's struggles.
“What really attracted me to this role was the message. It talks about age shaming and body shaming in a very honest way, and I felt that this is a story that deserves to be told,” she said.
Despite the role being a brief appearance, Delnaaz carefully evaluated the character before agreeing to come on board.
“When you are offered a cameo, the first thing you look at is how substantial the role is. As an actor, I wanted to understand whether the character had something meaningful to contribute to the story,” she explained.
Her previous collaboration with Sobo Films on Rajnandani further strengthened her confidence in the project.
“I had a wonderful experience working with them before. The production house is extremely professional, the people are warm, and the entire setup is very organized,” she said.
Delnaaz also had high praise for the working environment on the sets of Hui Gumm Yaadein. She credited director Noel Smit for maintaining a calm atmosphere despite the pressures that often accompany television production schedules.
“When a director is composed and completely confident about the work, it reflects across the entire set. Even though there was pressure because of a limited episode bank, everything functioned smoothly,” she recalled.
The actress described the production team, cast, and crew as respectful and supportive, making the overall experience highly enjoyable.
Another memorable aspect of the project was reuniting with actor Iqbal Khan, with whom she had previously worked on the popular television show Karam Apnaa Apnaa.
“We shared wonderful memories from that show, and meeting him again after so many years was truly special. Iqbal is one of the most positive and easygoing people to work with, and I thoroughly enjoyed sharing screen space with him once again,” she said.
Reflecting on the changing landscape of Indian television, Delnaaz expressed optimism about the industry's willingness to experiment with new storytelling formats and concepts.
“Channels like Sony SAB are introducing a wide range of fresh and unconventional stories. Audiences are gradually becoming more open to exploring different kinds of content, and I believe that shift is extremely positive for television,” she observed.
The actress also advocated for a greater focus on finite-series formats, which she believes can benefit both audiences and performers.
“As an actor, I would love to see more finite shows. Knowing the duration of a project allows for stronger storytelling and better planning. It can make television far more exciting and engaging,” she said.
At this stage of her career, Delnaaz admits that professional satisfaction has become more important than simply accepting projects for financial reasons.
“I have become selective about my work. A good role and a healthy work environment matter just as much as anything else. I want to work with people who make the experience enjoyable because ultimately you should go to work with happiness and return home with a smile,” she concluded.
