Riteish Deshmukh

Riteish Deshmukh, born on December 17, 1978, in Latur, Maharashtra, India, is a versatile actor, producer, architect, and entrepreneur known for his work predominantly in Hindi and Marathi cinema. He is the son of the late Vilasrao Deshmukh, a prominent Indian politician who served twice as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and Vaishali Deshmukh. Growing up in a political family, Riteish initially pursued architecture and graduated from Kamla Raheja College of Architecture in Mumbai. He even interned at an overseas architectural firm before gravitating towards his passion for acting. His Bollywood debut came with the romantic drama Tujhe Meri Kasam (2003) alongside Genelia D’Souza, which, although moderate in box office performance, marked the beginning of his acting career.

Riteish soon carved a niche in the comedy genre with films like Masti (2004), Kyaa Kool Hai Hum (2005), and Dhamaal (2007), establishing himself as a reliable comic actor. His impeccable comic timing made him a favorite among audiences and filmmakers. However, he proved his versatility with serious and negative roles, notably as a menacing villain in Ek Villain (2014), which was critically acclaimed and showcased his range beyond comedy. In addition to Hindi cinema, Riteish has made significant contributions to Marathi cinema with successful productions like Balak-Palak (2013) and his acting debut in Marathi with Lai Bhaari (2014), which became a massive hit and reinvigorated interest in Marathi mainstream cinema.

Outside acting, Riteish co-owns the production house Mumbai Film Company and has been actively involved in various philanthropic activities, including initiatives in education and rural development. Known for his grounded personality, he is also admired for his humorous off-screen persona and camaraderie with industry colleagues. Riteish married his longtime girlfriend and co-star Genelia D’Souza in 2012, and the couple has two sons, Riaan and Rahyl. Over his career spanning two decades, Riteish Deshmukh has won several awards, including IIFA and Zee Cine Awards, and continues to entertain audiences with his diverse performances in mainstream and regional films.