At the end of June 2012, Sonali Bendre was rumoured to quit judging India's Got Talent 4. She was said to be likely replaced by Ritesh Deshmukh. However, later, it turned out she opted out of the show in order to give her dates for her comeback vehicle Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Dobaara!; for some period, the channel hasn't spoken to Bendre. Later, at the beginning of July, Sonali Bendre announced that she would be making her comeback by portraying a character connected to the one played by Akshay Kumar in the movie. Her part was described by the Director Milan Luthria: "Sonali's character is called Mumtaz. The name spells enigma and is very crucial to the plot of the film. The character doesn't fit into the usual mould of a mother or a sister or bhabhi but has an identity of its own. That is what makes it special. And that's why Sonali agreed to be a part of the film." She took a sabbatical from movies after 2004, then after giving birth to her son she started doing television. She refused to star in many movies, saying she wanted to focus on her family, especially her son. But after she was offered Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai Dobaara!, she said yes because of her friendship with Ekta and Shobha Kapoor and the fact she worked with both Luthria (Chori Chori) and Kumar (in Tarazu, Sapoot, Angaaray, Keemat) before.