Kal Ho Naa Ho EXCLUSIVE: Delnaaz Irani Remembers Waiting Weeks for Call After Auditioning for Her Role with Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta
In an exclusive chat with Pinkvilla, Delnaaz Irani recalled her experience waiting nearly a month to hear back from Dharma Productions after auditioning for her role as Sweetu in Kal Ho Naa Ho. She also shared memories of working with Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Saif Ali Khan.
As Kal Ho Naa Ho, featuring Shah Rukh, Preity, and Saif, gets ready to re-release on November 15, fans are thrilled to watch the beloved film in theaters again. Talking about the re-release, Delnaaz shared, “It’s a special moment. I actually wished for this!” She explained that while watching another movie recently, she thought about how amazing it would be if Kal Ho Naa Ho re-released. The very next day, she saw the announcement online, which felt surreal. “I wished for it, and it actually happened,” she added.
Her First Reaction to the Role of Sweetu
When asked how she felt after landing the role of Sweetu, Delnaaz said she had “no second thoughts” about accepting it. Sweetu, she explained, was a fun, confident character who loved herself, her food, and her style. “Sweetu was such a lovable character,” she added, describing how well-written the role was and her excitement when Dharma Productions called her in.
Waiting Weeks for a Call
Delnaaz shared that she went for the audition after being invited by Dharma Productions, where Puneet Malhotra explained her role and guided her through the tryout. However, she heard nothing from the production house for 20-25 days, making her think she might not get the role. At the time, she was busy with her successful show Yes Boss, so she tried not to worry. Then, out of the blue, Dharma Productions called her back for a final audition with Kal Ho Naa Ho’s director, Nikhil Advani. Though she felt nervous, Nikhil loved her performance, and she officially landed the role.
After being cast, Delnaaz gave her all to the movie. She remembers how audiences loved Sweetu’s character and even her costumes. She felt honored when senior actors complimented her role, saying she was among the top 20 supporting actors who made a real impact.
Working with Shah Rukh, Preity, and Saif
Reflecting on her experience with the lead stars, Delnaaz said, “Whenever I meet Preity, she’s always so warm. I had a great time working with all three—everyone was supportive and kind.” Talking about Shah Rukh Khan, she admitted that she was starstruck every time he was around. “I’d get so nervous; I’d just watch him and admire him,” she shared. She described Saif Ali Khan as fun-loving, always joking around and creating a relaxed vibe on set.
She also recalled a sweet moment from her time on Bigg Boss 6. Preity Zinta appeared as a guest and told Salman Khan, “I want Delnaaz to win. She’s the ideal Bigg Boss contestant,” which made Delnaaz feel incredibly touched.
Kal Ho Naa Ho, produced by Karan Johar, originally released on November 28, 2003. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Saif Ali Khan, the film also featured Jaya Bachchan, Delnaaz Irani, and Reema Lagoo in key roles.
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