It’s set to be one of the biggest weddings of the year, and bride-to-be actress Genelia D’Souza is excited and happy. The reasons are not only personal but professional as well. February will not only see her tie the knot with co-actor and long-time beau Ritesh Deshmukh, but their first film as a couple, Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya, is also releasing in the same month.
“We have been friends for a long time now. Love happened gradually. It was not realised in a day or two. We think our friendship went a little ahead and now we have decided to get married. Ritesh was there by my side when I was single and now our relationship will complete a full circle,” says Genelia.
“I like the way Ritesh is. He is a simple man at heart and a really spontaneous actor. Whenever he compered any award functions, I always thought that the gags were in the script, but now that I know him, I have realised that the gags are impromptu improvisations.”
However, the actress refuses to credit their real life romance for the onscreen chemistry. “No, it is never like that. In fact, the chemistry I feel comes with the lines written for the actors. And the scenes come out well owing to the team effort.”
But she makes no bones about her preference of being paired with Ritesh in films. Talking about her role in the film, Genelia says, “I play an NRI. I am an outspoken, simple, fun loving girl. The film is woman-oriented. And I did not want any selfish hero opposite me who would be hurt just because I have all the better lines. Ritesh is very different. He accepts the character only after being thoroughly satisfied with it. He is a secure and confident actor.”
The other thing that Genelia loves about her soon-to-be husband is his attitude towards women at large. “Ritesh’s respect for women is something which attracted me towards him. We both like to talk and that’s one of the reasons that there has been no major difference between us. Our communication is clear. This could be because of the many films we have done so far,” says the actress who would be working in films post her wedding too.
In fact, the actress insists that this is the way they plan to grow in life. “Ours has been a mutual growth. We understand each other well. That’s the reason our friendship has materialised into a good relationship. This hasn’t happened overnight. We have also considered the importance of family and have tried to maintain our relationship with dignity. Our families agreed to our relation long back but we were waiting for the right moment to make it official.”
Prod her about the pricky Ritesh-Jacqueline (Fernandez) affair and the actress laughs. “You should confirm this piece of news with Ritesh. He will be able to answer you better whether he was seeing her or not. As far as I am concerned, I am confident about our relationship. We did not want to make a commitment and flash the news of us being a couple because we wanted it this way.”
“I think Kajol Devgn managed her career and her personal life very well. I will also be prioritising my professional as well as personal life accordingly,” she adds. Besides running helter-skelter with her wedding arrangement, Genelia is also working in Naa Ishtam opposite Rana Daggubati.

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About her impending marriage on February 3 the excited bride in waiting says, “It feels great. Whether I will be taking the pheras in a nav-vari sari or get married in the Christian style is still a secret. It can be both.”