Interview: Genelia Deshmukh on returning to Telugu cinema after 13 years with ‘Junior’ and the nice and cozy reception to ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’

13 years after she was seen within the Telugu movie Naa Ishtam co-starring Rana Daggubati, Genelia Deshmukh returns to acquainted territory with the Telugu-Kannada bilingual movie Junior, releasing on July 18. Director Radhakrishna Reddy’s movie starring Kireeti Reddy and Sree Leela was supplied to Genelia a lot earlier than she was signed for Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par. “It felt like homecoming, to return to Hyderabad and shoot. It’s right here that I fell in love with appearing and cinema,” says Genelia, settling down for this interview at Annapurna Studios.

She phrases Hyderabad as residence away from residence. “I really feel snug with individuals right here. I’ve had nice friendships — be it Ram, Ram Charan, Allu Arjun, or administrators Raghavendra Rao and Vinayak sir who’ve hosted me at residence for lunch. When individuals open their properties to you, the friendship stays longer.” 

Anybody who has interacted together with her within the early 2000s would recall the wide-eyed enthusiasm and heat with which she interacted with those that crossed her path. She debuted in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi cinema in 2003 with Satyam, Boys, and Tujhe Meri Kasam respectively. Tujhe Meri Kasam, the Hindi remake of the Telugu hit Nuvve Kaavali, was extensively filmed in Hyderabad. On this set, she met Riteish Deshmukh, whom she went on so far and ultimately married.

Edited excerpts from the dialog:

You had been very younger whenever you debuted in cinema. Did you grasp the enormity of the change it ushered into your life?

Cinema selected me, moderately than the opposite approach round. I had achieved an advert movie, was noticed outdoors my faculty and chosen for a movie. I got here in like a curious child in a sweet retailer. I’ve at all times had this nervous vitality that made me be taught. I didn’t know the movie language, had no concept what ‘reduce’, ‘take’ or ‘retake’ meant.

Did the appreciation of the craft occur step by step?

Sure. Initially I didn’t perceive why I needed to get up at 4am and do my make-up and hair. I didn’t have a make-up artist or a conceit van. As I grew, a staff grew with me. I’ve modified garments in buses or behind a darkish fabric. Whereas taking pictures overseas, I’ve even knocked on individuals’s doorways and requested if I can use the restroom of their homes. All this was robust however I’ve no complaints. As a newcomer it was good to undergo that drill. As I started working extra, and the viewers and the movie trade accepted me, I too fell in love with cinema.

You’d additionally hearken to story narrations in the popular language of the author/director. How did their narration resonate with you, contemplating you weren’t acquainted with Telugu or Tamil initially?

I’m not a language individual however I might listen and hear to grasp the feelings. Just a few individuals would clarify in English to make me really feel snug. I’d inform them that they’ll narrate of their most well-liked language and I’ll get the vibe. I additionally took the trouble to be taught my strains in Telugu and Tamil. As an example, I learnt two pages of dialogues for a scene in Bommarillu. I most well-liked it that approach. I might by no means take the shortcut of claiming 1,2,3,4,5… for the lip actions.

You labored in Shankar’s Boys and concurrently did Satyam in Telugu, a comparatively smaller movie that additionally did nicely. Did you make the choices or did you’ve somebody who might be a sounding board?

I took the choices, largely. If I used to be misplaced, I might flip to Riteish. Individuals didn’t know again then that we had been courting. He had a significantly better understanding of cinema. I might primarily credit score the administrators and producers for casting me in such totally different characters and the audiences for accepting me. I’ve labored with stars and newcomers and handled my work with respect. Even right this moment, I don’t like to make use of the phrase ‘followers’. I desire nicely wishers or audiences. We’re all lovers of cinema. Successful movie is often remembered for a 12 months or two. Seventeen years after Bommarillu, individuals nonetheless bear in mind me as Hasini. Or Aditi from Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. I thank my stars for these alternatives.

Genelia, Kireeti Reddy and Sree Leela in ‘Junior’
| Picture Credit score:
Particular Association

You had been additionally receptive to totally different sorts of movies…

I’ve at all times chosen high quality over amount. After Bommarillu turned a  blockbuster, individuals anticipated me to signal some 500 movies and make some huge cash. I selected Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na as a result of I favored my character, Aditi. I began from scratch in Hindi. Once more, I didn’t have make-up artists or a van and ultimately I grew and constructed all the pieces. On the threat of sounding pompous, I can say that I’ve a cult movie in each language. I used to be extra mature as an actor whereas working in Jaane tu, due to the expertise from Telugu and Tamil cinema, than once I did Tujhe Meri Kasam. 

There was additionally the chance of being typecast in chirpy characters after Bommarillu. Later you took up Urumi in Malayalam and Katha, Mr Medhavi in Telugu which had been starkly totally different.

I even received a Nandi award for Katha, which I didn’t count on. I attempted to reinvent myself and loved the journey of being a part of totally different movies.

What made you’re taking up Junior in any case these years?

I’ve a bucket record of characters that I wish to painting and this character of a boss girl is one in all them. It’s a drama between a father and son (V Ravichandran and Kireeti), and I play a powerful character. I can’t reveal extra. When Radhakrishna narrated the story, I used to be stunned that he selected me. On the time, I used to be at residence, not on the lookout for work or auditioning. I’ve by no means achieved a twin language movie and liked the method of filming each in Telugu and Kannada. I’ve a full-fledged, nicely etched-out character. It’s so robust for feminine actors to get such characters. 

Aamir Khan, Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh attend the screening of ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’
| Picture Credit score:
SUJIT JAISWAL/AFP

After working 15-16 hours a day for a number of years, you took a sabbatical for a decade. Did you’ve withdrawal signs though you loved a brand new part of life with marriage and motherhood?

I liked and nonetheless love appearing, however the fame… not a lot. There are occasions when I’ve labored 20 hours at a stretch. At this time I can work for 10 hours. I stepped again from appearing however I turned an entrepreneur and a producer, made errors and learnt. That have helped me painting my character in Junior with out making it seem caricaturish. Even in Sitaare Zameen Par, I might perceive the feelings of my character — of a spouse who desires to have a toddler, the marital tussles and egos… Life experiences can enrich the portrayal of such characters.

Was it empowering to see the reception on your work in Sitaare…?

I used to be touched when individuals stated they missed watching me on the massive display. That was my take away, greater than the appreciation. As for feeling empowered, I don’t search exterior validation. I believe it is very important keep calm and safe. Insecurity can replicate on the on-screen efficiency.

You’ve signed a movie with Emraan Hashmi. What else is within the pipeline?

The movie with Emraan is an motion entertainer. I will even be filming in Hyderabad for Ram Gopal Varma’s horror comedy with Manoj Bajpayee. Talks are on for a couple of extra movies.

Revealed – July 17, 2025 03:38 pm IST