India, Sept. 15 -- Shanthi Priya, once a household name in Tamil and Telugu cinema of the late '80s and '90s and later seen in Bollywood with films such as Saugandh (1991), has returned to the silver screen after three decades. The actor, who carved a niche for herself as one of the leading ladies of South cinema, makes her comeback with the Tamil film Bad Girl, a project she says mirrors her fearless spirit and belief in stories that defy society's labels. In an exclusive conversation with us, she speaks about stepping back into the world of films, playing Sundari, and why the experience felt like starting afresh. "I felt like I was reborn," she shares, adding, "It was amazing, and that too on the silver screen. I've done TV, OTT and dance dramas, but coming back to the place where my journey began feels like returning to my mum's house. I am thrilled and excited". The film has, however, drawn criticism from certain groups, with allegations that it portrays a Brahmin girl in a negative light. Shanthi dismisses the controversy as "unnecessary backlash" and stresses that art should not be confined by caste or religion. "This is not about any caste or religion. It happens everywhere," she says, adding, "The director chose to tell a story from her own lived experience. If she wanted to show another background, like a Bihari girl, she would have had to do extensive research. These films don't come with large research teams....