Bollywood actor Preity Zinta is set to return to the big screen after several years away, with filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi’s upcoming Partition drama Batwara 1947.

In an interview with an Indian media outlet, Zinta said she had never felt disconnected from acting but chose to step away to focus on her family, marriage and motherhood.

“I never felt like I had stepped away from acting,” she said, describing that period as a fulfilling chapter of her life.

She said she had no pressure to return and was waiting for the right story and role.

Zinta said Batwara 1947 appealed to her because she had long wanted to work with Santoshi and had always been interested in historical films.

Although set against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition, she said the film was ultimately a story about a family struggling through difficult circumstances while holding on to hope.

To prepare for the role, Zinta said she read several books about Partition and watched interviews with people who had lived through the period.

She also held detailed discussions about the era with Santoshi and other people familiar with its history.

The actor said the film also gave her a deeper understanding of the hardships faced by women in 1947, when their lives largely revolved around home and family.

She said the resilience of people who survived Partition should inspire younger generations to appreciate the freedoms and opportunities available today.

Zinta also reflected on changes in the Indian film industry during her absence, saying technology and film promotion had evolved significantly, particularly with the rise of social media.

However, she said the commitment and sincerity required from actors remained unchanged.

She also welcomed what she described as a growing trend of Indian filmmakers telling stories rooted in the country’s culture, history, armed forces and local heroes.

Batwara 1947 also reunites Zinta with actor Sunny Deol, with whom she has previously worked in Farz, The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, Heroes and Bhaiaji Superhit.

Zinta said their reunion was comfortable because they already shared a strong rapport, praising Deol’s sincerity and dedication to his work.

The actor also spoke warmly about the Deol family, saying she admired their close bond and respect for elders.

Best known for films including Dil Se, Soldier, Kya Kehna, Dil Chahta Hai, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Veer-Zaara and Salaam Namaste, Zinta’s return marks a new chapter in her acting career.