Genelia D’Souza is all set to return to the big screen with Sitaare Zameen Par, where she stars opposite Aamir Khan in a role she calls one of the most meaningful of her career. As the film gears up for its June 20 release, Genelia opened up about the challenges of finding substantial roles post-marriage, her thoughts on industry bias, and why she still had no hesitation auditioning—three times—for a character she truly believed in.Speaking to Filmymantra Media, the actress recalled how people reacted with excitement when they learned she was part of Sitaare Zameen Par, calling her lucky to be working with Aamir Khan. She credited Aamir for recognising her potential and shared that, while he did ask her to audition, she had no hesitation. Genelia added that other filmmakers could also take that approach and consider her for substantial roles.She went on to say that industry norms often influence casting decisions, suggesting that her marital status may lead some to assume she doesn’t need such roles. Genelia emphasized that while filmmaking has evolved, the mindset around casting still needs to catch up. She believes it’s crucial to cast actors who genuinely fit the character’s age and life stage, as younger performers may miss the subtle nuances. She expressed hope that opportunities become more inclusive and reflective of real-life diversity.Interestingly, Genelia’s association with Aamir Khan Productions goes back to 2008, when she starred opposite Imran Khan in his debut film Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na, a cult romantic comedy directed by Abbas Tyrewala. Reflecting on the casting in a recent interview with SCREEN, Aamir Khan joked, “That was a long time ago. And ab Imran bhi kaafi meri age ka ho gaya hai (Now even Imran is almost my age),” adding a touch of humour to the reunion.Aamir acknowledged that the age difference between him and Genelia did cross his mind, but explained that in Sitaare Zameen Par, both characters are portrayed as being in their early 40s. He pointed out that despite being 60, advancements in VFX help bridge that gap on screen. Aamir also revealed that casting Genelia was the idea of director RS Prasanna.In an exclusive interview with SCREEN, director RS Prasanna shared that casting Genelia D’Souza was an easy choice, especially given her immense popularity in the South, where he hails from. He praised her vibrant energy and acting talent, adding that she’s beloved across regional industries. “She’s done it all—Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and now even Marathi,” Prasanna noted, calling it a joy to work with her.Meanwhile, Genelia D’Souza began her acting career with the Bollywood film Tujhe Meri Kasam in 2003. That same year, she made her Tamil debut with Boys, followed by her first Telugu film Satyam in 2004. She ventured into Kannada cinema with Satya My Love in 2008 and made her Malayalam debut with Urumi in 2011. In 2022, she made her full-fledged entry into Marathi cinema with Ved, directed by her husband Riteish Deshmukh.
