In 2021, National Award-winning actress continued to redefine the "romantic" archetype in Bengali and Hindi cinema, shifting toward mature, nuanced portrayals of companionship rather than conventional young-love tropes . Following her recovery from COVID-19 in Singapore that year, Sengupta returned to the screen with projects that emphasized the emotional complexities of modern relationships. Cinematic Romantic Storylines in 2021

: She has credited her husband’s understanding as the foundation of her career longevity, noting that while intimate scenes can sometimes cause domestic friction, their mutual trust and constant communication help them "sail through".

The year 2021 saw Sengupta leaning into "edgy" and "mature" romantic narratives that explored the psyche of contemporary women:

In real life, Sengupta has maintained a stable marriage with since December 13, 1999. During 2021, she frequently discussed the balance required to maintain a personal relationship while handling the "emotional battle" of portraying intimate romantic storylines on screen.

: Early in January 2021, Sengupta began filming Salt alongside Chandan Roy Sanyal. She described the film as a contemporary exploration of a couple's journey, playing Maya, a free-spirited author married to an architect. The storyline was noted for its "edgy" and "exceptional" depiction of marital dynamics.

By 2021, Rituparna Sengupta's approach to romantic storylines had evolved from the commercial "heroine" roles of the 90s to deep, character-driven studies of how love and intimacy function in middle age.

: In April 2021, Sengupta announced her role in the Hindi film Ittar opposite Deepak Tijori. She characterized this project as a "sweet yet mature love story" focusing on a middle-aged couple from vastly different backgrounds finding comfort in each other.