Genelia Deshmukh

Genelia Deshmukh, born as Genelia D’Souza on August 5, 1987, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, is a prominent Indian actress and model known for her work in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and a few Kannada and Malayalam films. She rose to fame with her natural charm, expressive acting, and bubbly personality that resonated especially with youth audiences in the mid-2000s.

She completed her schooling at Apostolic Carmel High School in Bandra and later pursued a degree in Management Studies at St. Andrew’s College, Mumbai. Despite having no initial intentions of entering the film industry, she was discovered through a Parker Pen commercial opposite Amitabh Bachchan, which marked the beginning of her journey into acting.

Genelia made her film debut at the age of 15 in Tujhe Meri Kasam (2003) opposite Riteish Deshmukh, who would later become her husband. Though the film was modestly successful, she gained massive recognition in South Indian cinema, especially with Telugu films like Boys (2003), Satyam (2003), and the blockbuster Bommarillu (2006), which remains one of her most acclaimed performances.

Her return to Hindi cinema with the hit Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (2008) cemented her as a talented actress with a girl-next-door image. Over the years, she has balanced both Bollywood and South Indian films, often praised for her comedic timing and strong screen presence.

Genelia married Riteish Deshmukh in 2012 after a long-term relationship. The couple is admired for their strong bond and has two sons. After marriage, Genelia took a hiatus from acting to focus on family life and later returned to the screen with select projects, including endorsements, digital appearances, and films like Ved (2022) — a Marathi-language movie directed by Riteish Deshmukh, where she also played a lead role and co-produced.

Apart from acting, she is known for her philanthropic work and business ventures. Genelia is seen as a youth icon and continues to have a loyal fan following across different regional industries.