Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’Souza talk to TOI about their romance, ahead of the February 4 wedding
Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’Souza are all set to tie the knot on February 4 after dating for almost a decade. In a candid chat, Ritz and Genie talk about their love story. Here’s a flashback into the prem kahani that has never been told.
There is something about Christmas that makes every little girl’s heart race. Dresses with frills, beautiful ballerinas, and gifts all around. But one Bandra girl had her own style statement at one time. Actor Genelia D’souza, beloved for her nonchalant style, was all grunge. “I had this
embarrassing red sweater with a huge patch of a colourful Christmas tree on it,” she smiles.
“Now that I think back, it looked pretty ridiculous, but it was my favourite and I wore it for three Christmas dinners back to back. Later of course, I started dolling up.”
Complete Family Time
Christmas has always been Genelia’s Most Favourite festival.
“You can feel the spirit of Christmas in the air,” she says.
“The city is completely lit up and the year is coming to an end. It’s almost poetic. For me it’s complete family time the tree, presents and extravagant lunch.”
When she was a kid, Genelia and her brother would prep for the big day a week before it. They’d choose their stockings, tree, get decorations together, and search frantically for gifts.
“Once the star was up, we knew Christmas was here,” she recalls. “Instantly, we’d start looking for our presents. But my mom would find new places to hide them every year!”
Ask what her favourite memory is and she almost shouts The treeee! She used to hate it, she remembers, when she couldn’t reach the top of the tree to place the star, but her brother could.
“Apart from that, everything about the tree made me happy,” says Genelia.
“Shopping for the decorations was such a task, but I loved doing it. We’d go all over the city looking for ornaments, and the tree always looked gorgeous.”
Of course no Christmas is complete without Santa Claus, but Genelia was quick to realise that the fat bearded man with a sack full of goodies was not Santa but her parents.
“I think every kid believed in Santa, I think somewhere I still do,” she says.
“But from the Santa in the books we read when we were little, we soon realised that our parents were Santa and we were okay with that too. My letters to Santa obviously worked because somehow whatever I wanted was always under the tree. I always thank my parents for that.”
We Stick To Tradition
Christmas for the family means being together and Genelia makes it a point to be home for Christmas.
“There is always such a sense of warmth, joy and celebration,” she says.
“Christmas lunch is the best and it’s always home cooked. Even now, we make sure we stick to traditional food. But what a feast it is!”
So does she ever step into the kitchen herself?
“I stay out of the kitchen because there probably wouldn’t be a Christmas dinner if I went in,” she laughs.
“But I do help my mother bake cakes and kalkals.”
This year too, by the time you read this, Genelia will be with her family.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else in the world but home,” she says. “Christmas has remained the same for me because I have consciously made an effort to keep it that way. So I could be shooting anywhere in the world, but I will make sure I make it back home in time for the celebrations. I am very traditional in these matters.”
Her sense of tradition extended to Christmas Eve as well. Only once did Genelia ever attend a Christmas Eve Ball, when she was in her first year of college.
“It felt like a mixture of a fairy tale and a prom. So exciting! But I preferred to be with my family.”
Her home will be decorated with mistletoe, stars, wreaths, stockings and fairy lights.
“We go all out for Christmas. We take special care while decorating and setting up our crib which is the ultimate symbol of Christmas in every Catholic home.”
It’s evident that talking about Christmas makes Genelia very happy. Her eyes light up, she gets animated, and a barrage of stories from her childhood comes rushing out.
“I can’t help it,” she says. “I just love Christmas!”
What you love to eat?
Roast chicken with stuffing and palm sauce and of course-Christmas pudding
Something you want for Christmas?
This year, like every other year I just want a fantastic Christmas dinner with my family
Something you’d like to give this year?
I spend a lot of time planning my presents. It’s all very thought out and researched so I’m not going to give out my ideas here
A Song you love listening to?
I am very traditional, so we usually bring out the old CDs with different covers and versions of carols
Where you celebrate Christmas?
At home. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else
Your Fave Christmas movie?
Home Alone
This Friday sees the release of the romantic-action film Force, starring Genelia D’Souza and John Abraham. A remake of the Tamil hit, Kaakha Kaakha, the film tells the story of a renegade cop, Yashvardhan (John) whose whole life is dedicated to pursuing a ruthless, underworld gangster. However, along the way he meets Maya (Genelia), a free spirited lady whose love pushes him to make a choice between the life he already knows and the life he could have with her. Does he choose Force or Love? We will have to wait to find out on the 30th. Though some may think that it is a bit of an odd pair, one of the things that has really stood out is the amazing and sweet chemistry between John and Genelia. We got the chance to have a quick chat with the actress. She told us that tenderness is very much a part of the relationship between Maya and Yashvardhan and is part of what she thinks makes their chemistry so interesting. What else did she let us in on about Force? Read on to find out!
What attracted you to the role in Force?
I had seen the Tamil version of it when it released. When I saw Jyothika, the girl in the Tamil version, I thought she was a very lucky girl to have got the role. I always knew that this was a very special role, but never knew it would be remade in Hindi. The fact that I get to break out of being a college girl and being a lady to some extent–that is something that definitely excited me and it was something I definitely wanted to do.
Tell us about your character.
Maya is someone who is a lady, who does things that make her happy and she would never do anything that does not make her happy. She is a social activist, so her whole life is about people and things that she loves and things she loves being part of. At the end of the day it is not a burden…it’s something that she enjoys. Being a social activist, one of the traits that she carries is a lot of truthfulness. She has got this thing of being very clear speaking. She enjoys talking a lot and though it may come across as blabbing, everything she says has a meaning and has sense. She loves her life. She is open. There is nothing about Maya that you would call a closed book.
Did you enjoy playing her?
I LOVED playing Maya!
Tell us about working with and romancing John.
Well, what can one say? I mean he’s the hottest bod in Bollywood right now and more than that, he is a great co-star and he is a lovely person. He is a lot of fun to be with. We had a great time. John and me got along so well: the chemistry, the comfort level was all there. The best part of John is that he is not just this guy with big muscles; he can strike up an amazingly interesting conversation. He is a very, very interesting person and so that makes it very interesting at the end of the day.
For the characters in the film there is a chemistry that happens from day one. They don’t know each other, but the day they meet there is an instant chemistry. I think with John and me, the fact that off screen we get along so well that just helps on screen.
It is a very, very different chemistry, you know, you can’t categorize it really. It is not cute, it is steamy, it is sexy and it is a great blend of both. One would think that John would only look good with a really tall girl and a really sexy girl and stuff like that, and here I was, this little petite thing. One would think, would she look good with someone like John who is strong and has those good looks? But we make a very, very interesting chemistry. There is a lot of care in the pair; he is supposed to be the protector at the end of the day of the girl. There is this very beautiful chemistry and there is the care that comes across through both of us, which is a very difficult thing to get generally, but with the physicalities we both have, and with the kind of people we are, it turns into a great blend.
What about working with the Director?
I think Nikhishant is a lovely, lovely director for an actor to be directed under. He has just got this real thing about him: gives you real instances. He won’t curb you as an artist, yet he gets what he wants. He will define you as a character. The first time I met Nishikant he told me, for me everything about Maya is beautiful: the way she talks, the way she walks, the way she looks, be it the color she wears, be it the bangles, everything is beautiful in Maya. That was a very important trait for him that people have to fall in love with Maya the day they see her. It is not about looking beautiful, it is about having a heart. It was very important for me to think like Maya; to be open, to be clear, to be someone who enjoys life no matter how stressful it gets.
What would you say the main differences are for the Hindi version of this film?
When it comes to my love story, it is mainly intact, but there are changes to suit the Hindi audience. There is a whole realism approach that is in the Hindi version as well, which is not just commercial. Nikishant’s style of storytelling is very real, but it is a great blend of being commercial as well as real.
Talk to us about the music.
What I like about the music is that it is heartfelt and it is soulful which I think is important for today’s music, which has a lot to do with noise and less to do with things being soulful. For me, Force would take some time to get into everyone but once it does I think it won’t leave, because the songs are very, very beautiful and they touch the heart.
What do you think audiences are going to love about the film?
I think the fact that it is as commercial as it gets and as real as it gets is a specialty of the film. I compare it to a whole meal. You can have your veg, you can have rice, you can have your chicken and you can have everything all in it.
What do you love about being an actor?
I love my work. What excites me is the fact that I get to go on screen and play every character. I feel as individuals in this whole world we forget ourselves, but when you are an actor, you have to be true to that character that you play. That for me, is the most beautiful thing in the world– that you shut out everything and you just act what that character wants you to play. So, for me, I think it is sometimes is better than just being yourself, because you get to be so real and so true to your character and that makes all the difference in balancing you…as well.
Force, directed by Nishikant Kamath and producerd by Vipul Amrutlal Shah hits strong in theaters on Friday.
(Interviewed by Stacey Yount @ BollySpice)
Buddies she has aplenty. Boyfriend none. Genelia D’Souza asserts her single status in a breezy chat with Filmfare
One actress you’d like to exchange your wardrobe with…
I can only think of Preity Zinta. She’s extremely well turned out.
One actor you’d like to work with if it were your last film.
I guess it would be the Khans – Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman.
Would you take on the role of a lesbian?
I’m an actor and I don’t think there’s anything wrong in playing a lesbian. But it has to be done with dignity, which doesn’t exist here.
And who would you like to be cast with – Sonam Kapoor, Katrina Kaif or Deepika Padukone?
I think PC (Priyanka Chopra). She’s a lot of fun.
Who’s your favourite Hollywood star?
I haven’t yet grown away from the Tom Cruise era. I like an actor if I like the film. I won’t put up pictures of actors. I’d rather put up pictures of David Beckham.
What if you found Tom Cruise in your bed one fine morning?
(Winks) Well, I can’t share the details here. I hope I don’t pinch him to find out if he is for real.
If you were on the same flight as Rakhi Sawant.
She’s entertaining to the hilt. She is someone who stands up for the person she is. So it would be fun.
One thing you can’t survive without…
My mobile phone! I go bonkers the day it’s missing. My phone is my best friend, it connects me with life.
What’s worse, a pimple or a paunch in a party dress?
(Laughs) A paunch in a party dress! As compared to pimples, freckles are cute.
What would you wear to the Oscars?
A fairytale gown. It should be well-fitted, where a bit of my legs would also be seen.
Who would you like to go on an impromptu road trip with?
(Thinks) Since John Abraham is a crazy biker I’d love to ride with him. But he has taken off his back seat. He says he rides too fast and can’t put anyone’s life in danger. It would have been exciting to get onto that bike.
One cosmetic enhancement you’re okay with?
I’m not okay with cosmetic enhancements. I don’t understand why people in India don’t find beauty in aging. The moment you attack your face, you’ve just lost it. Like in Hollywood, age is accepted. They are beautiful in their 40s.
Is sex overrated?
Highly! It’s almost treated like a bad word and I don’t understand why.
Your first date…
I don’t remember my first date but I remember when I was in school there were these boys waiting for me with flowers and cards on Valentine’s Day. They looked so cute with their ties and innocence. I was very shy then. But I was quite popular in college. I was voted the ‘Rose Queen’. It was fun.
Your first kiss…
(Smiles) Special!
Who would you like to date from this industry?
I don’t understand why such a big deal is made out if an actor and an actress are dating. When you’re young and single, it’s okay to have fun
Whom would you like to date in a broader sense?
The weirdest thing is I’m not attracted to good looking men. Rather I love having conversations with my man. So a guy who’s got the gift of the gab will be more interesting.
Have you ever been on a blind date?
Never! I don’t think I’ll ever go on one because I’m such a control freak that I need to know who, where and when.
Who are your 4 am friends?
I have a fantastic family with whom I can share everything. My mom is someone I can go and bug anytime. She is not the typical sortWould you marry an actor?
Yes, why not?
Your favourite co-star?
I’ve had a lovely time with all. I can’t choose one. All of them have been really nice to me.
What’s the truth about your link-up with Riteish Deshmukh?
They’re just rumours. See, he’s my first co-star and a first co-star is always special. Your first co-star is always more of a friend. Riteish and I have maintained it right since our first film.
Genelia is in cloud nine. Yes, with the great critical acclaim and phone calls that is coming in from all corners in praise of her convincing portrayal of a serious role of ‘Ararkkal Ayesha,’ Genelia currently at the sets of ‘Velayudham is very happy to have done the movie’ I consider very lucky to have been considered for the role in Urumi’.
A very demanding role for which i had to train even in the martial art of ‘Kalaripayattu’, this one remains very close to me. I was also very comfortable with the team of Santhosh, Sankar Ramakrishnan, Anjali Shukla and my co-artists who helped me with my dialogues, though they were not normal Malayalam. I like to experiment in all languages and is proud to be part of ‘Urumi’ as it happens to be my first Malayalam movie’ says Genelia.
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