At a media interaction to talk about her upcoming film, D/o Parvathamma, Sumalatha thanked the film industry for the support she has been receiving on the political front. “Since I am also doing a film, it’s my duty as an actor to be part of the promotions without political matters coming in the way,” she said.

In the film, Sumalatha plays Hariprriiya's mother. “D/o Parvathamma is Hariprriya’s movie,” said the veteran actor, adding that having worked in five languages and in around 200 films, this is the first time she is part of a thriller genre. “The mother-daughter relationship is special, and the play-off between Haripriyya and me in this film is natural,” said Sumalatha, adding that the film is a heroine-centric subject. “Such subjects are not common and require audience encouragement,” she pointed out.