- Meenakshi Seshadri has returned to Mumbai after 30 years in the US to resume acting in Bollywood
- She shared a video expressing willingness to take strong roles in films and OTT projects
- The actress emphasised she seeks meaningful roles, not stardom, and is managing her career independently
Almost a decade ago, Neena Gupta, then 62, posted a picture on Instagram asking for work. She wrote, "I live in Mumbai and working. I am a good actor looking for good parts to play." Result was: Badhaai Ho and Neena Gupta's smashing comeback.
In 2026, actor Meenakshi Seshadri made an appeal on Instagram seeking good wishes from her fans for her second innings in Bollywood. The actor, 62 today, is looking for her own Badhaai Ho moment.
On Monday morning, the actor -- who was one of the most successful stars in the late 1980s and 1990s -- announced that she had relocated to her 'karmabhoomi' Mumbai after 30 years in the US.
"A warm namaste to my growing family of Instagram followers. Today I want to sincerely thank each one of you for your love, encouragement and constant support.
"After 30 long years, I have relocated to my karmabhoomi, Mumbai, India and have stepped once again into the entertainment industry with hope, passion and positivity," she said in the Instagram video.
Before she quit Bollywood at the peak of her career, Meenakshi Seshadri made her debut with Painter Babu in 1983. But the actor shot to stardom with Subhash Ghai's film Hero, opposite Jackie Shroff, which released later in the same year.
Then came films such as Shahenshah, Meri Jung, Damini, and Ghayal. In 1995, she retired from the movies and moved to the US for a quieter family life with her husband, investment banker Harish Mysore. The couple share two children.
In her video, the actor, also a trained Bharatanatyam dancer, said, "I'm really looking forward to meaningful opportunities, whether it's a lead role, supporting character or even a short show. And it doesn't matter as long as it's an impactful performance. It could be films or OTT shows."
"I want to explore roles that challenge me as an artist and help me discover new dimensions of my craft. Many offers did come my way, but some weren't exciting enough and some simply didn't materialise. But I'm managing this journey on my own, without any agency. And your support means everything to me during this phase. And though I am primarily based in India, I do spend some vacation time with my family in the USA. And occasionally travelling elsewhere in between," she added.
Addressing her fans, the actor also said, she is "not here to prove any point". "I'm just here with the love, encouragement of my family. I'm simply doing what truly makes me happy."
"I request you to continue supporting me, sharing your feedback and spreading the word. Because your faith and your blessings inspire me every single day. Thank you."
In the caption of the post, Meenakshi Seshadri wrote, "Dear friends, this is a message to you all from Boston USA. I am here to celebrate my son's graduation from Harvard University. And spend a fun summer with my family.
"I want to share that after my relocation to India I have been working towards more opportunities in the entertainment industry. While there have been offers, they were either not exciting enough or just didn't work out. I'm seeking the good wishes and blessings of all you wonderful fans who knows kisiki dua se mujhe mera accha mauka mile #bollywood #comeback #fans #wishes."
Meenakshi Seshadri has been active on Instagram, sharing her videos of dancing to the songs of her films and even performing classical dances such as Bharatanatyam and Odissi.
Neena Gupta's Badhaai Ho released a year after she posted that video. Hopefully Meenakshi Seshadri gets her own soon.
