Genelia Deshmukh, who is best known to an entire generation as the fiery and free-spirited ‘Aditi’ from Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na, has made a heartfelt comeback to the silver screen with Sitaare Zameen Par. Reuniting with Aamir Khan, she plays his on-screen wife in the emotional drama, her first major role after a long acting hiatus.While the actress continues to be adored for her infectious energy and effortless performances, Genelia recently opened up about facing harsh beauty judgments early in her career.“You’re not the conventional pretty girl”In a recent interview with Nayandeep Rakshit, Genelia shared that when she first entered Bollywood, she was often told she didn’t fit the industry’s typical standards of beauty.“When I was growing up, actually very close to Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na also, there were a couple of people who told me, ‘You’re not the conventional pretty, pretty girl.’ I said, ‘What does that mean?’” she recalled. According to Genelia, during the early 2000s, fair skin, coloured hair, and light eyes were considered the benchmarks of beauty. “Everyone went through putting contact lenses,” she added, highlighting how many aspiring actors conformed to these norms.Amitabh Bachchan in her first ad, Aamir Khan in her breakout roleDespite working with Amitabh Bachchan in her very first advertisement, directed by Mansoor Khan, Genelia revealed that few in the industry saw her as a potential leading lady. It was Aamir Khan who recognised her talent and cast her as the perfect Aditi.“My first ad was with Mr Bachchan also. I went with my own clothes, and Mansoor Khan had directed that ad. So, they never saw ‘that’ as someone who could act. And back then also, Mr Aamir Khan saw his Aditi in me,” she shared.
“I’m very particular about my dignity”When asked if the remarks about her looks impacted her self-confidence, Genelia was clear and composed in her response. She stressed that she never let those comments define her worth.“No, it didn’t. As a person, I am very particular about my dignity. You cannot take that away from me… very often, when it’s a power struggle, you can’t say some things. But that doesn’t mean I’ll take what you say,” she said. “If I can, I will stand up and say it. If not, I don’t have a problem walking away and saying, ‘You feel what you want about me, but I’m not going to feel what you want about myself.’”
