Actress Amyra Dastur has opened up about her experience working alongside a seasoned ensemble cast in the upcoming streaming series 'Chumbak', set to premiere on Netflix on 10 September. Speaking during the show's promotional event in the BKC area of Mumbai, Dastur described the project as a personal milestone — her first foray into comedy and a rare chance to represent her Parsi heritage on screen.

Levelling Up with Veterans

Dastur was joined at the promotions by co-stars Arjun Bijlani, Helly Shah, Delnaaz Irani, and Anant Joshi. Reflecting on the dynamic of working with experienced performers, she said, 'See, at the end of the day, I feel acting is acting. You need good actors around you, because it's also based on their reactions to your acting. So, when you have such amazing veterans, when you have such amazing people around you, I think you automatically just level up, or at least you push yourself to level up.'

The actress noted that the presence of comedy veterans on set raised the bar for her own performance, turning the shoot into an informal masterclass in comic timing and ensemble chemistry.

A Personal Connection to the Character

For Dastur, 'Chumbak' carries particular resonance beyond the professional challenge. She is of full Parsi descent, and the show offered her a rare opportunity to portray a character rooted in that culture. 'Comedy is something I've always wanted to do, and I'm really glad I got a chance to do it, and also to do it in my culture, because like I said, I'm full Parsi, and it's so nice to represent that, because there are very few characters like this that come,' she said.

She recalled that when the show's creator first narrated the script to her, she immediately connected with the role: 'I was like, "Okay, I really relate to this character, because it's just so much fun."'

Three Months on a Demanding Set

The shoot spanned roughly three months and was based largely in Mira Road, a location Dastur candidly acknowledged as a logistical stretch for the cast. 'It's not easy to be around so many people all the time, and that too shooting in Mira Road, which is very far. I mean, I think we just really enjoyed spending time together,' she said, crediting the camaraderie among the cast for making the long schedule manageable.

What to Expect from 'Chumbak'

'Chumbak' is a comedy series that leans into Parsi culture and community life, featuring an ensemble of well-known television and film actors. Its 10 September release on Netflix positions it as one of the platform's notable Indian originals this month. For Dastur, the project marks a clear departure from her earlier dramatic roles, signalling a deliberate pivot toward comedic and culturally specific storytelling.