It’s An Honour To Still Be Remembered As Hasini: Genelia

Genelia Deshmukh is all set to make her comeback in South cinema with the bilingual film, ‘Junior’. In an exclusive chat with Deccan Chronicle, she opens up about how touched she is that fans still remember her as Hasini from Bommarillu, and reveals what keeps her bond with husband Riteish Deshmukh so strong over the years.

Excerpts

Why did you pick ‘Junior’ for your South comeback?

It was a very strong role and I like doing stronger roles because there will be something for me to do. Even the way I have played my career has been pretty much in that zone. I feel that if I am in the film even for 5 minutes, it should matter. ‘Junior’ was something that I have never done before. And it was really interesting as a story for me. So I definitely wanted to be part of the film.

Among your many Telugu movies, which movie is close to your heart?

I have had a great run in Telugu and done a lot of films like ‘Katha’, ‘Mr. Medhavi’, ‘Sasirekha Parinayam’, But I think my role in 'Bommarillu' was beautiful and very much remembered. So undoubtedly that should be the one!

Telugu audiences still remember you as Hasini. Would you be open to a sequel?

It’s an honor, actually… to just have that feeling, to be remembered after so many years. It’s truly special and it’s not easy to get. Of course, I would jump if it ever has to happen. It would mean a lot and it would be nice to see that kind of love story. I hope something like this really excites the makers.

Do you still follow Telugu movies because you also did a remake of ‘Majili’ with Riteish?

For the last 10 years, not just Telugu, I have not seen too many films because of the various other things that I also do. But I do try and watch a film whenever I can. 'Majili' was one film that me and my husband both absolutely loved. I have watched it.

Any plans of working with your husband again?

I would definitely love to do a film with Ritesh, but the intent is not just to do a film. The intent is to do a film that we both contribute to. So I think we are both actors and if a film comes about, we would obviously love to work with each other. We get along, we have great chemistry but it’s not a forced decision.

Your instagram video gives major couple goals. What according to you has strengthened your relationship over the years?

I don’t know about couple goals. But I think something that we do for ourselves is that we grow every day together. We fall in love every day together. Of course, there are days where we find each other annoying but at the end of the day we can’t do without each other and I think that’s most important—that every day you find something to love about the other person and it needn’t be something that was when you were 15. It could be at your current age. Maybe what you are today is definitely not what you were 10 years before. But I think that’s the beauty. I think change is inevitable, but contentment is also something that makes a big difference and I think Riteish and me are content. We know each other. We understand that there are times that we don’t necessarily agree with each other but it’s never a problem. It’s a respect to one’s viewpoint. We accept it as each other’s viewpoint and we choose to be together, we choose to be madly in love with each other and we choose to want this more than anything else.

What was your experience like in ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’?

It was fabulous. It’s a film with a heart. It's a film about inclusion. I am very glad that I could be part of such a heartfelt film and while it is cinema, it’s also a message. It’s nice to be part of this kind of cinema.

Tell us about your upcoming projects

After ‘Junior’, I am doing a Ram Gopal Varma film, a horror comedy. I am also doing an action thriller love story with Emraan Hashmi and I am doing a Marathi film which is my own production which Riteish is directing. I am playing a small role in that film. These are the three films that mean the world to me. ‘Raja Shivaji’ is also our little baby because it’s our production and Ritesh's directing after ‘Ved’. So, it’s really something that means the world to us.