Genelia D’Souza, a prominent Indian actress and model, has captivated audiences with her work in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu films. This comprehensive biography explores her life, career, and personal achievements.
Wiki/Biography
Genelia Deshmukh (married name) was born on Wednesday, August 5, 1987 (age 35 years as of 2022), in Mumbai. Her zodiac sign is Leo. She grew up in the Bandra suburbs of Mumbai. Her education includes schooling at Apostolic Carmel High School in Bandra and a Bachelor’s degree in Management Studies, also from Apostolic Carmel High School, showcasing her dedication to academics alongside her acting career.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 5’6”
- Eye Colour: Black
- Hair Colour: Black
Family, Caste & Husband
Genelia hails from a Marathi-speaking Mangalorean Catholic family. Her father, Neil D’Souza, held a senior position at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). Her mother, Jeanette D’Souza, was a former managing director of a multinational pharmaceutical corporation. She has a brother, Nigel D’Souza, who works with the Bombay Stock Exchange. She married Riteish Deshmukh on February 3, 2012.
Career
Genelia began her career as a model at 15, gaining significant recognition through a Parker Pen advertisement featuring Amitabh Bachchan. Her Bollywood debut was in “Tujhe Meri Kasam” (2003). That same year, she debuted in Tamil cinema with “Boys” and in Telugu cinema with “Satyam”.
2006 proved pivotal in her South Indian career with Telugu hits “Happy,” “Raam,” and the blockbuster “Bommarillu,” along with the Tamil film “Chennai Kadha.” After a five-year break, she returned to Bollywood in 2008 with “Mere Baap Pehle Aap,” followed by the highly successful “Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na,” solidifying her position in the industry.
Beyond leading roles, she’s made cameo appearances in films like “Jai Ho” and “Lai Bhaari” (2014). Her television debut was on “Tere Mere Beech Mein,” a celebrity chat show.
Controversies
Genelia faced controversy for attending the 2010 IIFA Awards in Colombo amidst the aftermath of the Sri Lankan conflict. This led to criticism from several Tamil groups and Tollywood associations. Another controversy arose in 2011 from a photograph taken during the filming of “Force,” leading to false marriage rumors with co-star John Abraham.
Awards
Her achievements include:
- Filmfare Award for “Bommarillu” (2006)
- Nandi Special Jury Award for “Bommarillu” (2006)
- Nandi Special Jury Award for “Katha” (2009)
Favourite Things
Genelia’s preferences include:
| Category | Preference |
|---|---|
| Food | Roast Chicken with Stuffing and Palm Sauce, Christmas Pudding |
| Actor(s) | Amitabh Bachchan, Om Puri, Shah Rukh Khan |
| Actress(es) | Sandra Bullock, Aishwarya Rai |
| Films | Devdas, Dark Knight (2008), Titanic (1997) |
| Colour(s) | Black, White, Red |
Facts
Genelia enjoys movies, music, and travel. Her name is a portmanteau of her parents’ names, meaning “rare” or “unique.” Known for her bubbly personality, she’s also deeply religious, regularly attending church services.
Her mother supported her acting career by leaving her job in 2004. She was a state-level athlete and national-level footballer in college, completing her degree while filming “Tujhe Meri Kasam.” She gained further popularity through a “Fair & Lovely” advertisement during the 2003 Cricket World Cup. She’s been linked to philanthropic work, including with the Banyan organization.
Genelia holds a Limca World Record for delivering four super-hit films in four different languages in one year: Ready (Telugu), Satya in Love (Kannada), Santosh Subramaniam (Tamil), and Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (Hindi). She’s also been a brand ambassador for various products.
