March 21, 2025: Indian-American actress Poorna Jagannathan recently opened up about her long-standing friendship with Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor, calling him “generous” and reflecting on the deep bond they forged while working together on Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013). Poorna, who played Riana Sarai, the tour conductor who assists Ranbir’s character Bunny, still cherishes the connection that started on set and continued well after the film’s release.
In a recent interview, Poorna shared an emotional memory of how Ranbir supported her career by investing in her play Nirbhaya, which she produced after her work on Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. “Ranbir was the first investor. He was the first one who gave me money to get this play kicked off,” Poorna revealed. The play, which explored the harrowing impact of sexual violence, went on to tour globally for three years. This gesture by Ranbir made a lasting impression on her, and she described Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani as an iconic film that greatly impacted her life due to the bond she developed with both Ranbir and director Ayan Mukerji.
Apart from her reflections on the film, Poorna is currently receiving praise for her role in the new comedy series Deli Boys. The show follows two Pakistani-American brothers who unexpectedly inherit their father’s illegal empire. Poorna shared that the script of Deli Boys was funny on paper, but the energy on set was even more hilarious. “We had a really hard time making it because we were laughing in between takes,” she laughed, adding that the entire team had a blast during filming.
Deli Boys, produced by 20th Television and streaming on JioHotstar, is also significant to Poorna for its representation of South Asian actors. “I’m super, super proud to have been part of Deli Boys…it is what I’ve always dreamed of to be an actor and to be able to show different aspects of ourselves,” Poorna shared. She emphasized the importance of telling the immigrant experience and showcasing the strong family bonds, culture, and language that define the South Asian community.
With Deli Boys now streaming, Poorna’s commitment to bringing diverse South Asian stories to a wider audience continues to shine, making her work not only entertaining but also deeply meaningful.