Sushmita Sen, a celebrated figure in Bollywood, displayed remarkable determination when she decided to re-enter the acting world. In a conversation with Mid Day, the former Miss Universe shared that she personally reached out to industry leaders, including executives from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hotstar, to express her desire to work again. She reminded them of her past career, acknowledged her eight-year absence from the screen, and openly stated her readiness to return.

"I called up the heads of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hotstar. And, I said, ‘My name is Sushmita Sen. I am an actor; I used to be one anyway. And I want to come back and work. I have not worked for 8 years, and it has been a long time..." she said.

Stepping Away from the Limelight

Sen’s prolonged break from acting began after her appearance in the 2015 Bengali film Nirbaak. As reported by The Indian Express, she chose to dedicate this time to her daughters, Renee and Alisah. Beyond her family commitments, she also invested energy into managing her jewellery venture, Renee Jewellers, which had multiple branches in the Middle East. During this period, she participated in brand promotions and endorsements. Sen admitted that with her reduced visibility, meaningful scripts became scarce, prompting her to focus more on her entrepreneurial projects.

A Triumphant OTT Comeback

Her return to acting was marked by two notable streaming projects—Aarya and Taali—both receiving critical acclaim. In Taali, Sen portrayed trans activist Shreegauri Sawant, a performance that was widely praised. However, the casting drew criticism from some quarters, with detractors questioning the choice of a cisgender actress for the role.

Navigating the Controversy

Addressing the concerns, Sen explained that she initially hesitated to accept the part. Her apprehensions were eased only after learning that Gauri Sawant herself supported her casting. She revealed to The Indian Express that during her extended hiatus, she had been introspecting, aiming to identify work that resonated deeply with her. When the opportunity to play Sawant emerged, she considered it a gift from the universe and embraced it wholeheartedly.

Taali: A Story of Courage and Change

Released in 2023 on JioCinema, Taali: Bajaungi Nahi, Bajwaungi is a Hindi-language biographical drama directed by Ravi Jadhav. The series chronicles the life and struggles of Gauri Sawant, a prominent transgender activist. Through this project, Sen not only made a powerful artistic statement but also reinforced her position as an actor willing to take on roles that demand sensitivity, courage, and commitment.