I am going back to Bollywood with a story that truly matters: Priyanka Upendra

P riyanka Upendra is all set to return to Hindi cinema after 12 years. The actor, who lived in Mumbai and worked there in the early 2000s, tells us she’s excited about returning to familiar territory with September 21. Directed by 22-year-old Karen Kshitij Suvarna, the film is said to explore the often-overlooked emotional journey of caregivers. Karen’s earlier film Hide & Seek was screened at the Cannes Film Festival, two years ago. Excerpts:
‘THE FILM’S SCRIPT TOUCHED ME ON A PERSONAL LEVEL’
I feel mainstream cinema which highlights characters suffering from a particular illness or disease, solely focus on their struggles and overlook the caregiver’s journey. In this film, I play Kamala, a devoted caregiver to a 60-year-old man struggling with Alzheimer’s. This script gives the space and respect that caregivers deserve because their journey is equally hard.
‘I’M AT A STAGE IN LIFE WHERE BIG BUDGETS, SONG AND DANCE ROUTINES DON’T MATTER’
I have been part of big commercial films, lived the peak life of glamour and seen big box office numbers. But as you evolve, be it personally or professionally, you tend to seek more solid things. My focus now lies in telling meaningful stories that resonate on a deeper emotional level. As an artiste, now is the time to satiate my inner cravings as a performer. And those are the kind of stories I choose to be a part of now