‘I’M IN NO HURRY TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT’

Genelia, the girl-next-door, is all set to make waves in Bollywood

She’s barely stepped out of her teens, and stepped right into Bollywood! Sans godfather, sans the conventional pretty face, but with a freshness and charm that’s unmissable. Juhi brought it to the screen in the 80s and Kajol and Preity Zinta in the 90s. Genelia is the new kid, nay the lady, on the Bolly block. Having impressed with Mere Baap Pehle Aap, the actress who found success down South is now making waves in Bollywood. With a slew of hits in Tamil and Telugu films, just when Genelia looked set for a long innings down South, destiny transported her to the brink of Bombay dreams… Genelia looks ready for the limelight. Armed with the most expressive pair of dark eyes and a smile that could light up a room, Genelia has been the quintessential girl-next door, a tag that seems only too apt for her. But we wonder if she entertains any thoughts of branching out of that mould on the big stage of Bollywood. “Honestly, I am not in any hurry to do anything different just for the sake of it. Each character has different shades to it and as long as the role excites me in some way, I will take it up,” she replies. It sure helps to keep things short and simple, doesn’t it? Genelia has a lot to look forward to. She is presently shooting for It’s My Life opposite Harman Baweja. The film is being directed by Aneez Bazmi. Besides she’s also signed up for another multi-starrer titled Life Partner with Govinda and Fardeen in the lead. They say destiny is more a matter of choice than chance, but it seems to be a bit of both with Genelia. Born in England, she moved to Mumbai dreaming of becoming an actress and it has been one hell of a roller coaster ride so far. After a successful modelling stint, she made her debut in director Sankar’s flick Boys then she did Tujhe Meri Kasam, which didn’t create an impression at the BO. Moreover, with the South baiting her with many lucrative offers, the move down South was inevitable. “I think I am God’s favourite child. In an industry where women would be lucky to get a couple of films, I have been incredibly lucky to get the opportunity to work in some great ones. There have been many ups and downs, but it’s been one awesome experience so far,” says an excited Genelia. While down South, most find her freshness akin to Preity Zinta, Aamir Khan went on record saying she reminded him of Juhi Chawla! With so much happening, it’s most important to have your wits about you and Genelia certainly looks up for it. “It just feels great to have people scream your name in a crowd. I am an actor while I’m on the sets. But, I have a life beside films and it keeps me grounded,” she concludes.