Actor Delnaaz Irani says the first half of 2026 has been rewarding both professionally and personally. In an exclusive conversation, she opened up about balancing multiple projects, maintaining peace amid life’s pressures, and her views on the changing entertainment landscape.a
Looking back at the first six months of the year, Delnaaz expressed gratitude for the opportunities that came her way. “Honestly, the first half of 2026 has been incredibly fulfilling and beautifully hectic! Career-wise, I feel immense gratitude because I am getting to balance completely different worlds. On one hand, I had an absolute blast playing Chandni Khanna in Hui Gumm Yaadein, bringing that flamboyant, 90s superstar energy to television. On the other hand, my talk show, Swaad Aur Sitare, just rolled into Season 2.”
She added, “Launching the premiere episode with Rajan Shahi ji and Ishika was special. Plus, my first love, theatre, has been keeping me on my toes with live stage shows. After all these years in the industry, facing the camera or stepping onto a stage still gives me the exact same excitement. I feel very blessed that the audience continues to shower me with so much love.
Speaking about the growing stress and uncertainty in modern life, Delnaaz emphasized the importance of focusing on what one can control. “The world outside can get incredibly overwhelming, and our industry thrives on high pressure. But over the years, I’ve learned that while you cannot control the outer world, you have absolute control over yourself,” she said.
For the actor, family remains the biggest source of strength. “For me, the ultimate stress-buster is my family and my home. When I disconnect from work, I truly disconnect. I’ve always believed that life isn’t just about the rat race, career milestones, or constantly overthinking the future. Your mental well-being, your health, and having a peaceful, loving inner circle are what keep you grounded.”
She further shared, “I deal with stress by choosing peace over chaos every single day, keeping a smile on my face, and relying on the rock-solid support of my loved ones.”
Discussing discipline in an increasingly demanding world, Delnaaz acknowledged the challenge of balancing competing priorities. “It’s a massive juggling act, isn’t it? Between shooting schedules, managing a chat show, theatre updates, and personal life, priorities shift by the hour,” she said.
According to her, the key lies in accepting limitations and focusing on what truly matters. “My take on this is simple: you have to stop trying to be a superhero every day. When everything demands your attention, you have to consciously pause and make time for what truly matters. Life is unpredictable, and we often lose ourselves in super-busy schedules, forgetting to connect with people or take care of our own health.”
She added, “I maintain discipline by anchoring myself to my core values: family, well-being, and professional commitment. If you are mentally sorted, you naturally figure out what needs your energy right now and what can wait.”
Sharing her perspective on the evolving entertainment industry, Delnaaz described the current phase as a time of significant transformation. “We are living in an era of massive transition, and honestly, the unpredictability is both scary and exciting! There was a time when a specific formula worked, but today, there is absolutely no guarantee. Audiences are exposed to global content, and their tastes change rapidly,” she observed.
However, she believes this shift is ultimately beneficial for the industry. “But I see this as a beautiful wake-up call for our industry. It forces makers to look beyond safe formulas and star power, and focus heavily on real, relatable, and deep content. As an actor, I think this shift is wonderful because it opens doors for layered, meatier characters.”
Concluding on an optimistic note, she said, “The hit or flop pressure will always remain, but the industry is heading toward a space where good talent and authentic storytelling will ultimately survive.”
By
