Chennai, June 14 (IANS): Actor Richa Pallod, who is returning to southern cinema after a long gap in forthcoming Tamil-Telugu thriller "Yagavarayinum Na Kakka", believes it's possible to do meaningful cinema despite being a mother.

Last seen in 2006 Tamil film "Something Something... Unakkum Enakkum", she has also worked in films such as "Nuvve Kavali" and "Shahjahan".

"I want to break the stereotype that when an actress becomes a mother, she can only do certain type of roles. I think it's possible to bag substantial roles in meaningful cinema despite being a mother. My role in 'Yagavarayinum...' is the best example," Richa told IANS.

"If someone like Jennifer Lopez, who is the mother of two children, can still play strong, independent roles, why can't Indian heroines who are mothers be treated the same way," she asked.

Although she remains tight-lipped about the role she essays in the movie, she says it's an integral part of the story.

"I'm not at the liberty of divulging details about my role. It's not the length of the role but its purpose in the story that convinced me to take it up. I'm playing an important part of the true story on which the film is based," she said.

Directed by debutant Sathya Prabhas Pinisetty, the film stars Aadi Pinisetty, Nikki Galrani and Mithun Chakraborty in the lead.

It was Sathya's faith in Richa that gave her the confidence to accept the offer.

"Sathya called me one day and said that he has been a fan of my work and has a role which he believes only I can play. Although I was sceptical, his faith in me gave me the confidence. You get convinced when somebody is a lot more confident on the other end," she said.

Richa doesn't like to see this opportunity as a comeback to acting.

"I don't know whether I want to raise the expectations by calling this a comeback film because it's the character but not the length of the role that mattered to me. I'm happy that I've been offered good strong character where I'm not dancing around trees but performing," she said.

Richa is enjoying being a mother of a six-year-old baby.

"I've been lucky that I haven't put on weight. I think it's the genes. I also make a conscious effort to eat healthy home food and support being a vegetarian," she added.

The film, which is titled "Malupu" in Telugu, is slated for release on June 26.