Actress Delnaaz Irani may have entered Sony SAB’s Gumm Yaadein as a cameo, but her character, Chandni Khanna, has clearly left a lasting impact on viewers. Playing a flamboyant former superstar struggling with fading relevance, Delnaaz believes the reason audiences are connecting so deeply with Chandni is that her emotions are universally human.
“I think people are relating to Chandni because, somewhere, everyone goes through that feeling as they age,” Delnaaz says thoughtfully. “It is not just about being an actor or a celebrity. In every profession and in every phase of life, there comes a point where people start feeling less noticed than before.”
The actress explains that Chandni’s vulnerability goes far beyond the glamour of the entertainment industry. “When you are younger, there is naturally a lot of attention around you. People call you more, appreciate you more, and include you more. But with time, priorities change, people move ahead, new faces come in, and sometimes you quietly start feeling invisible. I think that emotion is very real and very relatable.”
Speaking about her character’s emotional conflict, Delnaaz says, “Chandni still carries herself like a star. She still wants to be seen, admired, and remembered. But somewhere inside, she is scared that people may stop caring — the paparazzi, the journalists, even the fans. That insecurity is something many people understand, whether they admit it openly or not.”
She adds that what makes Chandni special is that she does not give up on herself despite those fears. “I did not want her to become a sad or tragic character. She has humour, drama, confidence, and warmth. There are light-hearted moments also. Even in real life, people may feel insecure about ageing, but they still try to look good, feel confident, and hold onto their identity. That is what makes Chandni human.”
Delnaaz also feels audiences are responding to the emotional honesty of the role. “Ageing is something everyone experiences, but very few people talk openly about the emotional side of it — the fear of becoming less important or less visible. I think Chandni represents that silently.”
Interestingly, the actress reveals she did not base the character on any specific yesteryear star. “I didn’t keep any actress in mind while playing her. I just focused on giving her that 90s glamour and emotional truth.”
The response, she says, has been overwhelming. “I am getting so many lovely messages from viewers. Fans are making reels and edits of Chandni and sending them to me on Instagram. It feels amazing when a character connects with people emotionally.”
