Genelia Deshmukh celebrated her birthday on August 5. The year has been special for her as she returned to Hindi films in a big way with the Aamir Khan-starrer Sitaare Zameen Par. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, she spoke about her upcoming projects and a lot more.
EXCLUSIVE: Genelia Deshmukh CONFIRMS signing Ram Gopal Varma-Manoj Bajpayee’s horror film; opens up on Riteish Deshmukh’s ambitious Raja Shivaji: “It’s an honour and privilege to make a film on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; we are putting EVERYTHING we ever knew into it”
Speaking about Sitaare Zameen Par, Genelia said, “It’s very special to be a part of a film that talks about inclusion. To date, I wonder why and how it all came together. Since I was coming back to films after so long, I was always a bit skeptical about how it would be received and whether or not I mattered. But I guess often we keep waiting for validation from a certain filmmaker, production house or person. But sometimes your validation is what people give you, which you don’t really see. Hence, for me, this kind of appreciation is a big deal. It’s my validation and my sense of achievement. Hence, it’s been a special year thanks to Sitaare Zameen Par. I am also producing Raja Shivaji.”
Raja Shivaji also stars Genelia Deshmukh as an actor. It is directed by Riteish Deshmukh and he features in the lead role. The other actors in the film are Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi and Amole Gupte.
Speaking of this film, Genelia stated, “It is a film which is extremely close to mine and Riteish’s hearts. We are putting everything we ever knew into it. That’s how much it means to us. It’s an honour to have the privilege to make a film on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.”
Genelia Deshmukh further said, “I am also doing a film with Ram Gopal Varma, which is also exciting as I have never done a horror film before. Often, you have the desire to dabble in ten genres, but you also need to be offered films in those genres! Then, I am also a part of Gunmaaster G9 with Emraan Hashmi. Again, it’s a space that I have never explored before. As an actor, you feel you have evolved. You do a bit of what you have done before, but you also want to be challenged. Hence, I am grateful that I am offered these parts.”
At this point, Genelia also clarified, “I had signed all these before Sitaare Zameen Par’s release. It’s not like I signed them right now. I was quiet about it. I am not someone who talks about it. This is the first time I am openly admitting to working on these films.”
Sitaare Zameen Par was in the news again last week when Aamir Khan announced that it would be available on YouTube for Rs. 100. When asked her views about it, she replied, “Aamir Khan Productions (AKP) have thought through it. Their intent was very clear – they wanted this film to be reached in the right manner. They have made decisions which they feel are right. So, I am sure that when the motive is honest, there’s always a silver lining eventually.”
This was her second film with AKP. There’s tremendous demand for the re-release of her first AKP film, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008). Any possibility of it happening in the near future? Genelia Deshmukh answered, “The actors don’t know too much. It’s always the production house that takes calls on re-releases. I would love it if it re-releases, but I have no idea what’s in store. There’s no doubt that it’s a very special film.”
Last year, Tujhe Meri Kasam (2003), which was Genelia as well as Riteish Deshmukh’s debut film, did get a re-release in cinemas. The actress opened up on how it continues to be back in cinemas in certain centres of Maharashtra, “That’s unbelievable. I don’t know how that happens that Tujhe Meri Kasam goes house-full every time it is played in those places. It’s quite special to know that a film, made way back in 2003, still has that impact.”
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