Once a popular name on Indian television, Sweta Keswani left the industry in 2012, after getting married to US-based lawyer Ken Andino. She then prioritised her family life and over the years, worked in the West in shows like The Blacklist, New Amsterdam and Roar.

More than a decade later, the actor says she is “ready to work in India again”. “My daughter is almost 12, so I am ready to take up start-to-finish projects, where I can complete my work and go back. OTT projects will be suitable for me,” says Sweta, who has been part of successful shows including Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand and Baa Bahoo Aur Baby.

However, the 44-year-old is finding it tough to navigate the industry: “I don’t know who does casting and how to reach them. I’m trying to meet friends and figure it out, but it will take time, and it’s fine because I’m not in a rush. I’m going to be acting till I die.”

Ask her about the kind of work she wants to do, and Sweta says, “I want to do women-oriented projects, where I can make a difference or incite some social change.” The actor is glad that meaty roles are being written for women in their 40s in the Hindi industry. “In our 40s, when we start getting written off, is when we find our groove. We don’t care anymore about log kya kahenge and feel liberated. We feel like rockstars,” she says.

Reflecting on her stint in the West, Sweta says that it’s challenging to succeed there as an actor of colour, but one shouldn’t complain about it: “Do you see white people in lead roles over here? So, what makes us think that people out there will relate to us in a lead role? They are serving their native audience there first. Also, when it comes to people of colour, African Americans come first. Then come Native Americans, Latin Americans and then Indians. So, it’s wrong to complain.”

The actor is also trying to create work for herself. She says, “I am learning acting, screenwriting and direction. I am empowering myself to produce work for myself. How long can one wait?”