Actor Genelia Deshmukh says her decade-long break from showbiz helped her breathe life into the character of Shravani from her latest film release "Ved", which marks the directorial debut of her husband-actor Riteish Deshmukh.
While she appeared in cameos through the years in Hindi films such as "Jai Ho" and "Force 2", Marathi movie "Ved" is her full-fledged role since the 2012 Telugu title "Naa Ishtam".
The 35-year-old actor said the unplanned hiatus added layers to Shravani, an Indian Railways employee who is in love with her childhood crush and now her alcoholic husband Satya (Riteish). Satya, on the other hand, is pining for his former girlfriend Nisha (Jiya Shankar).
"The 10-year break gave me a chance to do other things in life, be a homemaker, to have children with my husband. Today, I feel nothing was designed or planned. But when I look at it, it's also a homemaker's character, and I think it helped...
"As an actor, I take things from life, be it mine or someone else's. If I wasn't a homemaker or wife, I would never have been able to play Shravani's character," Genelia told PTI in an interview here.
Had it not been for Riteish, with whom she made her acting debut in 2003's "Tujhe Meri Kasam", she said she would have taken more time to resume work in films. "Ved" is her maiden Marathi feature film on which she also serves as producer.
During these 10 years, filmmakers approached her with offers but she thought it wasn't the right time to get back on set, said the actor, whose film credits include "Masti", "Bommarillu", "Urumi", and "Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na".
"There were quite a few films, which I thought wasn't the right time for me. Honestly, I'd have taken a lot more time if it wasn't for Riteish. He said that 'Now it's time to get back to doing what you're good at and what you like doing'."
Genelia, who shares sons Riaan (nine) and Rahyl (six) with Riteish, said her husband had her back both at home and work.
"I love being a mum. I always think 'What if my children are getting neglected?' But, he always steps in and says, 'If you're working, I'll be the person who sees the house, I'll be the homemaker'. That kind of understanding and support gives me the chance to do a film," she added.
For someone who has featured in movies across Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam languages, the Mumbai-born actor said she is proud to add Marathi to her filmography.
"I love what I've done. I think I've had the good fortune to have worked in six industries and have had very prominent and positive films in each industry. Like I say, count your blessings. I'm extremely happy if someone offers me a film.
"And if I'm their actor in that film, they work with me like there's no one else who can do that role, and that's why I keep going from one industry to the other because it stimulates me," she said.
Mounted on a reported budget of Rs 15 crore, "Ved" has earned over Rs 30 crore since its December 30 release.
(PTI)
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.