Delnaaz Irani on typecasting: 'Main aaj tak Sweetu ka hi kha rahi hoon'
Synopsis
Delnaaz Irani says she is 'not really' choosy about roles — it's just that audiences can't look past Sweetu, the character she played opposite Shah Rukh Khan in 'Kal Ho Naa Ho'. At the Mumbai promotions of her new streaming show 'Chumbak', she owned the typecasting label with a blunt admission: 'Main aaj tak Sweetu ka hi kha rahi hoon.'
Key Takeaways
Delnaaz Irani clarified she is not selective about roles during promotional events for 'Chumbak' in Mumbai on 1 November 2026 .
She said her perceived choosiness stems from audiences remembering her as Sweetu from 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' rather than her broader filmography.
Irani openly embraced typecasting, saying: 'Main aaj tak Sweetu ka hi kha rahi hoon' (I'm still reaping the benefits of playing Sweetu).
She was joined at the promotional event by co-stars Arjun Bijlani , Helly Shah , Anant Joshi , and Amyra Dastur . 'Chumbak' has received positive early audience response since its streaming release.
Actress Delnaaz Irani has pushed back against the perception that she is selective about her projects, insisting that the sheer volume of content available today — not personal pickiness — shapes how audiences perceive her career choices. The clarification came during promotional interactions in the BKC area of Mumbai on 1 November 2026 for her new streaming show 'Chumbak', which has drawn strong early viewership and critical appreciation.
Not Choosy — Just Overshadowed by an Iconic Role
Speaking alongside co-stars Arjun Bijlani, Helly Shah, Anant Joshi, and Amyra Dastur, Irani addressed the frequent question about her perceived selectivity. 'Not really. I mean, you know, a lot of people are asking this question. I guess we are in that phase right now where there are too many people, too much happening, and too much content,' she said.
She pointed to the changing media landscape as a key reason her broader body of work goes unnoticed. 'When we were in the 90s, yes, the whole family would sit together and watch Yes Boss. So, I remember that. People don't know that I've done so many films after Kal Ho Naa Ho. But a role gets stuck in the minds of people. You can't forget that character,' she added.
The Sweetu Effect: Embracing Typecasting
Irani is best known for playing Sweetu in the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Kal Ho Naa Ho', a character that has endured as one of the most-loved figures in Hindi cinema. Rather than distancing herself from that association, Irani has openly embraced it. 'Main aaj tak Sweetu ka hi kha rahi hoon (I'm still reaping the benefits of playing Sweetu),' she said candidly.
She had previously stated that being typecast, in her view, represents the industry's endorsement of an artiste's expertise in a particular area — a mark of credibility rather than limitation. On 1 November, she reiterated that stance, saying, 'There are so many shows, so many channels, artistes and platforms. If an artiste's image is shaped up because of the work they have done, so be it.'
On Recognition and Artistic Identity
Irani acknowledged that typecasting has both critics and supporters within the industry, but firmly planted herself in the pro-recognition camp. 'At least you are being recognised as an actor for your work, and for your forte. When people think of comedy, they think of me. I see it as a good thing,' she said.
She was careful, however, to note that embracing a screen identity does not mean resisting growth. 'As an actor, it's important to explore, I'm in no way against it. But, if your work has fetched you value in society or industry, one should respect it, we should embrace what the audience thinks of us,' she added.
About 'Chumbak'
The streaming show 'Chumbak' has reportedly generated strong word-of-mouth since its release, with Irani's performance cited among its highlights. The cast was in Mumbai for a promotional round that brought together the ensemble for media interactions ahead of wider viewership push. The show marks another step in Irani's continued presence across the evolving OTT landscape, even as her theatrical legacy remains firmly associated with early-2000s Bollywood.
Point of View
Where actors routinely perform indifference to their most iconic roles. Her admission that she is 'still reaping the benefits of Sweetu' after more than two decades is a refreshingly honest read on how a single character can define — and sustain — a career in an industry that otherwise moves fast. The more interesting question her interview raises is whether OTT, with its appetite for ensemble casts and character-driven scripts, will finally let her build a second, distinct audience identity — or whether Sweetu will follow her onto every new platform.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Delnaaz Irani say she is not choosy with her roles?
Irani clarified during the 'Chumbak' promotions that she is not selective — rather, her post-'Kal Ho Naa Ho' work has been overshadowed by the enduring popularity of the Sweetu character, making it appear as if she takes fewer roles than she actually does.
What is 'Chumbak' and who is in it?
'Chumbak' is a recently released streaming show that has received positive early reviews. Its cast includes Delnaaz Irani, Arjun Bijlani, Helly Shah, Anant Joshi, and Amyra Dastur, who were in Mumbai together for promotional activities on 1 November 2026.
What did Delnaaz Irani say about typecasting?
Irani said she views typecasting positively, calling it the industry's recognition of an artiste's expertise. She said, 'When people think of comedy, they think of me. I see it as a good thing,' while also noting that artistic exploration remains important to her.
Which role is Delnaaz Irani most famous for?
She is best known for playing Sweetu in the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Kal Ho Naa Ho', a character widely regarded as one of the most beloved in Hindi cinema. Irani herself acknowledged she continues to benefit professionally from that association.
What did Delnaaz Irani say about the 1990s era of Bollywood?
She recalled that in the 90s, entire families would gather to watch films together — citing 'Yes Boss' as an example — creating a collective cultural memory that made certain characters and faces permanently iconic in the public imagination.
