Lights, camera, commotion. What began as a routine film shoot in Haridwar turned into a public uproar when locals mistook a movie set for a real bar. On Wednesday (June 10), a crowd disrupted the shoot of a scene for Emraan Hashmi-starrer Gunmaaster G9 after spotting a sign board that read ‘Bar and Café’ in the holy city.

Aparshakti Khurana was filming at Bhatia Bhawan in Shravan Nath Nagar when locals gathered at the location and objected to the apparent opening of a bar. The protest gained momentum after videos from the set circulated online, as meat, eggs, and alcohol are prohibited in Haridwar.

“We go to shoot scenes with necessary props, at places without any intention of hurting anybody’s feelings. We always respect the system and follow all the rules. After speaking to the local people, we sorted it out,” said producer Deepak Mukut, who was taken aback by the accusations. He shared that, as a Hindu, he would never consider opening a bar in Haridwar.

“We are also Hindus and we respect the sentiments of everybody. Then we explained to them that it’s a film shoot,” he added. To calm tensions, the makers removed the word ‘Bar’ from the signboard and kept it only as ‘Café’.

Although the production had secured the necessary permissions, locals were reportedly unaware that a film shoot was underway. After wrapping up in Haridwar, the team heads to Mussoorie, Rishikesh, and Delhi.

“A little bit of patchwork is left in Mumbai. The film will be completed in the first week of July with only a couple of songs remaining. [Paired opposite Hashmi], Genelia [Deshmukh] will join after the 20th of June,” explained the producer of the spy thriller.

Riteish Deshmukh is a relieved man, physically, mentally and emotionally. His latest labour of love, Raja Shivaji, has worked at the box office, especially in Maharashtra. His craft as a director, apart from acting, too has found praise. Speaking on The Right Angle show, he spills the beans on everything, from the obsession with numbers to politics and the paparazzi:

About the figures floating around regarding Raja Shivaji’s budget, only the producers know the real budget. The last thing we need to do as filmmakers is discuss a film’s budget because it doesn’t affect anything. Budget se kya lena dena hai? If someone asks me the budget, I ask them, ‘How much are you paying for a ticket to watch it?’ They say ‘Rs. 100’ or ‘Rs. 250-300’, and I reply that’s the budget, it should just be worth your time. One should stop talking about it. Let it be magical, you just go and experience the film. When I would go to watch Amitabh Bachchan ji’s films like Sholay in my childhood, I would never think, ‘Iska budget kya hai?’ I just wanted the big-screen entertainment. We would never know how much it collected. Unfortunately, that’s the game today. People wonder how much actors charge for films… it’s our mistake, we feed these numbers. Those who feel this is right, it’s okay. We have made seven Marathi films under our production house, and we have never revealed our films’ budgets. It isn’t anyone’s business.

You have so much work at hand that you don’t really get the time to be nervous. I can be nervous about a film where someone else is doing all this work. But when you are the one making it and ensuring that the film reaches people on time, so much time goes into it… you can’t even think about what people will say about it.

Genelia (Deshmukh, wife-actor) and I are a team, of course, but most of the heavy lifting was done by Genelia. This is a production-heavy film. The heavy lifting was not on my shoulders, so it became easier. As for the subject, you can make a film on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from any angle, you just have to decide the narrative. We understand the connection he has with people. The biggest pressure, hence, is how do you write the right things when making a film on him? I would ask all such questions to myself. The prep as an actor for such a role was as long as the prep for being a director on it.

What does it really take to build a life and a career together? On the Bombay Times Lounge, the lovable couple, Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh, strip it down to the basics: trust, humour, and knowing when to step back. As they gear up for their next, Raja Shivaji, the two talk about partnership, individuality, and everything in between. Watch the full episode, which is now live, on the Bombay Times YouTube channel.

Riteish: When we first met, we saw each other as friends. And that friendship bloomed into a love story. The good thing about our relationship is that we always think of growing together, with each other. It’s been an incredible journey so far.

Genelia: From the beginning, even before we got married, we didn’t give our relationship any tags. We never sat down and discussed… We will do this now, or after marriage, or this is where we are headed. We just enjoyed every day. For the longest time, Riteish would tease me with other people, and I would tease him with others.

Genelia: I give Riteish a lot of credit for that because he’s someone who respects you as an individual. I might have a thousand opinions, he doesn’t have to accept them, but he will listen to them without imposing his views. We work together as co-actors and producers, but we have clearly different profiles — he looks into the creative aspects, and I am responsible for the logistics.

Riteish: When you are working with your partner, the most important thing is your relationship with your partner. You have to figure out what your partner is good at, what you are good at, because you cannot be a control freak. Knowing each other as friends or husband-wife is a different thing, but when it’s about working together, it’s a different ballgame. So, we have found a balance and that’s really important for all couples who want to work together.

Riteish: Ten years into my career, my father (Vilasrao Deshmukh) asked me, “You’re doing so much in Hindi films, what about Marathi films?” Until then, I hadn’t thought about it. That was the trigger. We started our journey with our banner Mumbai Film Company about 13 years ago, and we have produced 7 films, all Marathi films and we take immense pride in that.

Riteish: There is a certain beauty in our regional cinema. I truly believe that while we are moving really fast towards the West, somewhere, we need to hold on to our roots, culture and language. We need to find our folklore and go back to the stories of our grandparents, to understand our value system which is embedded in our culture. And that culture is translated to us through language. The best way to help any language is through arts, be it poetry, cinema, theatre or literature.

Genelia: Yes, I did films in other languages, long before it (pan-India movies) was a thing. And what I took away from it was that you get to tell so many more stories and understand so much about different regions and cultures. It’s beautiful for an actor because eventually, acting is about experiences. If you’re getting to do different kinds of roles in different languages of your country, then why not do it?

Riteish: In Hindi films, I get to choose from the films that have been offered to me. And in Marathi films, from the inception stage, I get to choose what kind of films I want to make. So, yes, the choices I make as an actor in Hindi films are far different from the choices I make as a producer or an actor in the films that we produce in the Marathi film industry.

Genelia: Yes! He just kept saying that this is something you love, right? You’ve got to do it. He didn’t even listen to me. He told me, “You have to do this.”

Riteish: I believed that she was perfect for the role in Ved. More than anything else, I told her… I think what you love the most is being in front of the camera. Parenthood, motherhood, it has a certain time and you are doing those roles. You are Genelia — the wife, the mother, the daughter. Now you need to go out there to meet the Genelia that you were — that is very important. The Genelia that you are is the person on the set, in front of the camera and you need to meet her.

Genelia: Yeah, totally! My younger son (Rahyl) is Riteish Deshmukh. We always say that no one can beat Riteish at his sense of humour and wit, but if one person can, it’s chhotu. I will share a funny story here - Riteish was in charge of the kids at home one day. Our younger one did something naughty. So, Riteish told him, “Go, stand in the corner and put your hands down.” He’s looked at Riteish defiantly for five seconds, and quickly put his hands up.

Riteish: That’s Genelia genes!

Riteish: I think our industry has a lot of goodness that is not often spoken about. Everyone will have different experiences, but so many people have been good to me that I feel I should be good and pay it forward — that’s a philosophy I’ve always lived by. It doesn’t take much to smile and greet people. When I’m on a set, I make it a point to greet every department — it really doesn’t take much. It’s important to show gratitude to everyone, because while their contribution may seem small in the bigger picture, they are out there giving their 100%.

Location partner: Luuma House

There’s a certain ease and an unmistakable warmth when Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh come together — and it’s exactly what played out on the latest episode of the Bombay Times Lounge. On the show, the actor couple brought their signature mix of humour, affection and high energy, keeping things light and real as they spoke about everything — from marriage and parenting to their evolving careers. While they also opened up about their most ambitious project yet, Raja Shivaji, the conversation was as much about their journey together as individuals as it was about them as a team. Here’s a glimpse from the chat — watch out for the promo today, with the full episode dropping soon.

“There is this whole misconception that couples can’t work together. For us, I don’t think there is anyone he trusts more than me & vice versa,” Genelia elaborated.

“She is a toughie! I’d rather have her as a tough producer than a tough wife. That’s a good thing!” Riteish joked.

Genelia and Riteish are gearing up for their next release, and the actress opened up about how they handle pre-release nerves. She said, “We both have our levels of nervousness, but I think Riteish deals with it better than me. The great thing about us is, if he is rock bottom nervous, I suddenly become this strong person, and vice versa. I have never seen him break down. Sometimes, when he’s very stressed, he just goes to sleep!”

“I would absolutely love to do a sequel to Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na. Honestly, I believe that we don’t make love stories around people in their 30s - 40s. Why? Love also happens at that age. There’s something magical about mature love stories too," Genelia said.

Genelia spoke about a special ritual she and Riteish share with their sons. She said, “Every week we pick one iconic Hindi film and watch it with our kids. That is our special time together. We recently watched Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. So, while Riteish started this custom and he says that we are doing it for the kids, once the movie is on, he’s the one who is most engrossed.”

The couple shared their simple yet heartfelt advice on choosing a partner. “When people ask us what kind of a partner they should look for, we tell them…be with a person who can make you laugh. That’s what we do with our kids, too. We laugh a lot and enjoy being with each other. Life is too stressful and we all need some lightness.”

Riteish reflected on how their reels have become a popular way to connect with audiences online. “A lot of people ask me, ‘Release kab hai?’ I say, ‘May mein picture release.’ They say, ‘Nahi reels ki.’ So now they don’t even look at me for movies (laughs). I just feel our reels are a great way to engage with people who are on social media. After a point, how many photoshoot pictures can you put? This love that we get from people who consume our reels is really heartwarming," he said.

When asked about his definition of success, Riteish said, “I always thought my first film would be my last film. But it’s been 23 years, and on this journey, I met the love of my life, I got to produce and direct films. It is all thanks to the people who have tolerated me for so long, and in my perspective, that in itself is nothing short of humongous success."

Location partner: Luuma House

Actor Arjun Kapoor’s Instagram post made fans and trolls alike sit up and take notice on Tuesday. The 40-year-old wrote an emotional birthday message for his late mother, Mona Kapoor. But the lines that caught social media users’ eyes are: “Life’s been kinda cruel to me lately... We will ride it out together. I’ll see u again soon.”

A 2017 video of Arjun’s ‘blank stare’ at a press conference resurfaced. What started as harmless fun around a funny video soon turned nasty. Arjun’s Instagram posts and Reels were flooded by comments that blurred the line between criticism and bullying, often rage baiting responses and farming engagement. Messages included: ‘God blast you’, ‘You are the reason I believe in failure’, ‘Aap bahut peeche jaaoge’, ‘Arjun the superzero’, and ‘Always give up’, among others. But now, the commenters have changed their tune.

Arjun’s new post saw an outpouring of love. Actor Genelia Deshmukh commented, “All will be good, Arjun. You have your own special angel always looking after you.” Others shared strings of heart emojis.

Bhumi Pednekar, Arjun’s co-star in his last screen outing Mere Husband Ki Biwi (2025), says trolling is synonymous with bullying: “What’s frightening is how easily we’ve begun to accept trolling as normal behaviour. The internet forgets that there is a human being they are referring to and not a bot.”

His father Boney Kapoor says, “All the trolling will make Arjun stronger in his resolve. Nothing of this sort will deter him. He’s a brave and sensible boy.”

We reached out to Arjun about his post, but received no response till the time of going to press.

The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra was the first to question the behaviour of trolls, urging commenters to show more empathy, compassion and respect towards the actor. The Reel clocked 2 million views, nearly 94k likes and over 5k comments, including reactions from celebrities Varun Dhawan, Rakul Preet Singh, Vaani Kapoor and Neil Nitin Mukesh, to name a few

If Akshay Kumar brought adrenaline rush and daredevilry to the small screen as the host of Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi, he is bringing games of a different kind this time. The superstar began hosting the Indian edition of Wheel Of Fortune, which premièred on January 27 on Sony Entertainment Television and SonyLIV. What made him give his nod to a show about word puzzles and prizes? Perhaps its legacy, considering the original American show has been on air since 1975? Nope, the actor pegs it down to its novelty.

“I’ve always believed in saying yes to something that feels new,” shares Kumar. “The format instantly intrigued me. What I enjoy about the game is that it keeps you guessing till the very end. At any moment, fortunes can change — you can move from a small amount to a jackpot, or lose it all if you’re not fully present,” he elaborates.

Each game has three contestants and four rounds, where contestants have to complete the puzzles and spin the wheel to win money. According to Kumar, the show reflects the qualities one needs in life. 

“The wheel doesn’t just test your luck; it tests your awareness, thinking, and presence of mind. The idea that one wrong moment can wipe out everything you have won so far makes it real. It reflects life — fortune comes to everyone, but only those who stay alert can hold on to it. The show already has a strong global appeal, and bringing its Indian edition feels exciting.”

The host opened the show with actors Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh. Interestingly, during the episode, it was revealed that Kumar refers to Riteish — his frequent co-star — as Pinky Kapoor.

Ask him the backstory, and he laughingly says, “Riteish and I go back a long way, years of working together. When we were talking about how big the prize money can get, Riteish joked, ‘If you give me that kind of money, I’ll even change my name’. That’s when I started calling him Pinky Kapoor, and it just stuck.”

Think Genelia Deshmukh, and you immediately think of her bubbly roles. But producer Deepak Mukut says that will change with Gunmaaster G9, led by Emraan Hashmi and Genelia. The action entertainer, which went on floors in Mumbai in August, will see the leading lady in a fierce avatar as she stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Hashmi and takes on baddies.

“Genelia is the surprise element of the movie,” starts Mukut, before divulging how the actor’s husband Riteish Deshmukh played a role in her signing the movie. “Riteish, who is an actor and director himself, told her she must do the film. Ghar ki bahu khana pakati hai, but if gangsters come home, what will she do? Here, she is not your sweet, docile homemaker. When her family is harmed, she can become Durga too. So, we’ll get to see her doing plenty of action.”

A 22-year career so far has given Genelia the opportunity to not only star in some memorable movies like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008) and the recent Sitaare Zameen Par, but also straddle Bollywood with regional offerings. Now, with Aditya Datt’s directorial venture, the actor is happy to break away from her girl-next-door image.

“In Gunmaaster G9, I have a lot of scope to perform as it is a layered role, unlike what I have done earlier. I am happy to get genres that I’d never be approached for before,” she says. 

While Datt took the actioner on floors in August with a five-day schedule, the unit is currently on a break. The team will regroup in October for an extensive schedule. Mukut elaborates,

“After Diwali, we will do a start-to-finish shoot in Haridwar and Mussourie. By November, we should complete the shoot and be ready for an early 2026 release. Aditya and Emraan made a great combination in Aashiq Banaya Aapne [2005]. You’ll see the Emraan we used to like earlier — doing romance, action, and hit songs.”

After over a decade of consciously stepping back from the spotlight following the 2012 release of Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya to focus on family life, Genelia Deshmukh is embracing a new chapter — one shaped by motherhood, maturity, and a rekindled love for cinema. In a conversation with BT, the actress, who was recently seen in Sitaare Zameen Par, opens up about evolving with time, the role of South cinema in shaping her career, and why mature roles need more screen time.

Genelia, who has been married to Riteish Deshmukh for 13 years, says marriage evolves with time.

She shares, “A lot changes post marriage. People forget that you’re going to change at 30, 40 and 50. You’re not going to be 20 all your life, and I think that’s the issue in most relationships. You expect the person to stay the way they were at 16. Riteish and I know we aren’t in our 20s, but we continue to do things that we always enjoyed doing together. We liked going out for dinners a lot, but with children around, it gets tough. So, once a week, we go to a coffee shop, hold hands and talk. That’s our idea of romance.”

Today, pan-India films are seeing actors from Bollywood being cast alongside South actors. Genelia, who made her film debut in 2003 with Tujhe Meri Kasam, did South films from the early days of her career.

About the current pan-India trend, she says, “I don’t know why it took so long. I did it very early in my career, and I did it with pride. I just wanted to do good films; it was never about pitching one above the other. Earlier, the perception was that Bollywood dropouts make it big in the South. I’ve done some of my best work there. I thought my first film would be my last, and then I would take up a 9-5 job. But then I got a lot of work in the South and started falling in love with acting because of South cinema.”

Talking about her break from movies, she says, “During the last 10 years, I did special appearances whenever my friends asked me to. I also did Trial Period, which was an OTT project and Mister Mummy. I am happy that a film like Sitaare Zameen Par came my way.”

Genelia admits that this phase of her career feels different from her early years in the industry. “I’m a different person now, but I still have that madness in me. I’ll always want to keep the child in me alive. At the start of your career, you have to make sure you do things that really work. Now, I want to do a horror film. I want to do action. It all depends on what filmmakers are writing and what you are being offered,” she says.

The actress is hopeful the industry keeps pace with changing narratives and embraces more mature female characters.

She says, “I wish we would write more stories about women who are in their 30s, 40s or 50s. There are so many dynamics to that, which is interesting. Love stories aren’t just for the young. Why isn’t there a love story of a 30-year-old girl or a single mother? Love doesn’t happen only when you are in college. I don’t think I could play a good mom on screen if I weren’t a mom in real life. I think you bring nuances to the screen when you actually live it. Which is why I say that actors should be cast as per the demand of the role and not because of their Instagram following or because they are number one, two or three.”

One of the best things we heard this summer was Ram Gopal Varma’s announcement in April that he was reuniting with Manoj Bajpayee for a horror action comedy titled Police Station Mein Bhoot. Three months since, it’s time for the filmmaker-actor duo to head to the sets. mid-day has learnt that Varma will call action on the film from July 26 in Hyderabad, where they will shoot for a month.

When it comes to the duo, expectations are sky high, especially since they gave us the iconic Satya (1998) that catapulted Bajpayee aka Bhiku Mhatre to overnight fame. Several promising films followed — from the underrated Kaun (1999) to the cop drama, Shool (1999). This time, they are attempting a new genre together as they tell the story of Bajpayee’s cop, who kills a notorious gangster and is possessed by him in turn.

A source reveals, “Manoj will begin shooting Police Station Mein Bhoot at a bungalow in Ameerpet in Hyderabad. The bungalow will be converted into a police station. Ramu has written a wild story that sees how Manoj’s character transforms from an honest cop to a maniacal one after he is possessed by the gangster’s spirit and the police station becomes haunted.”

Police Station Mein Bhoot, which also stars Genelia Deshmukh as Bajpayee’s wife and Rajpal Yadav, will be shot over four schedules.

The source adds, “After the Hyderabad leg, the remaining schedules will be conducted in parts of South India. Ramu wishes to wrap it up by the year-end.”

On July 9, as soon as Gunmaaster G9 was announced, social media went into overdrive, cheering the reunion of Emraan Hashmi and Himesh Reshammiya, who composed many of the actor’s chartbusters in the early 2000s. But the Aditya Datt-directed action thriller has hit a roadblock right at the start. While the Hashmi and Genelia Deshmukh-starrer was to roll in a village near Rishikesh in Uttarakhand by mid-July, the makers have called off the schedule in light of the heavy rains that battered North India last week.  

The call was taken to ensure the safety of the cast and crew, says Datt. “The situation in North India, especially Uttarakhand and even Delhi, has been quite serious. While our team was eager to push forward, for me, the safety of my crew comes first. We’re dealing with real [locations], not sets, and the risk factor becomes too high in such weather.”

The team has reworked the shoot dates. Now, Gunmaaster G9 will roll only in September. “We’d rather wait and shoot with full intensity once the skies clear,” states Datt.

The decision may have resulted in a six-week delay for the project, but producer Deepak Mukut is unfazed. He says, “We’ve all seen how the rains have wreaked havoc, [resulting in] road closures, flooding, and landslides. It’s not the right time to shoot. We made this decision unanimously.”

Genelia Deshmukh’s latest film Sitaare Zameen Par (SZP) hasn’t just won at the box-office, but also warmed the audience’s hearts.

This success is all the more special for the actor, since the film marked her first full-fledged role in a Hindi theatrical in 13 years. “I didn’t do much work in the last 10 years, except maybe for friends, here and there and two-three films on OTT. I thought people would forget me and that I didn’t matter,” shares Genelia as she meets with us in the Capital.

However, the 37-year-old says, “It’s an Aamir Khan film, of course it had a lot more eyeballs. But, it’s refreshing to hear people say that they want to see more of me — that has been the best compliment. As an actor, if someone wants to see you a lot more, it’s a very special place that not everyone gets.”

Ask about how she decided to make her silver screen comeback and she reveals that it was Aamir who wanted to cast her. “He met Riteish (Deshmukh, husband-actor) somewhere, and asked ‘Is Genelia working nowadays?’ Then Aamir asked me to meet R S Prasanna (director).”

SZP revolves around a group of specially abled adults, who are mentored by an arrogant basketball coach (Aamir). Genelia plays his headstrong wife, a role that she tells us she auditioned for. “I know most actors might feel, ‘Why audition after 20 years in the industry?’ But I think it’s a great way of getting a film,” she says.

The actor, who is set to star opposite Emraan Hashmi in Gunnmaaster G9 reflects on the success of SZP and muses, “I think if you make a good film, it eventually finds its audience.”

She adds, “I’m happy that the film did what it did. I really wanted it to be a blockbuster for the sitaares, and I am glad it picked up. It’s the first time I have been part of a film that talks about inclusion.”

From Kareena Kapoor Khan-Saif Ali Khan and Alia Bhatt-Ranbir Kapoor to Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh, several celebrity couples have asked the paparazzi to avoid photographing their children to protect their privacy and safety lately. However, actor-couple Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh don’t shy away from getting their sons Riaan (10) and Rahyl (8) clicked. Their children are often seen greeting the paparazzi with folded hands, appearing at ease in the public eye.

“Our kids play sports and they are out there daily. Sometimes, when we watch their matches, some paps click us, so one has to learn to deal with it. You have to talk to the kids and ensure they don’t feel entitled. The only thing I tell my sons is, ‘Getting clicked is an honour. When the paps ask for pictures, you thank them for clicking and move on’,” says the 46-year-old, who was last seen in Raid 2 and Housefull 5.

Riteish adds that there is “no set norm” for how celebrity parents should approach their children’s exposure to the media. “Just because one person does something doesn’t mean others have to do the same. I think parents know what’s best for their children. If people feel they don’t want their kids to be in the media, it should be respected,” he ends.

Three years after Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), Aamir Khan is gearing up to return to the big screen with Sitaare Zameen Par by May-end. We can expect another heartfelt story as the R S Prasanna-directed film, a spiritual successor to the superstar’s much loved Taare Zameen Par (2007), revolves around a group of men with intellectual disabilities who discover their self-worth through sports. While details about the film—which is a remake of the Spanish offering, Campeones (2018)—have been kept under wraps, mid-day has learnt that a special song featuring Khan and Genelia Deshmukh was shot last week in Marol.

Over a five-day schedule, Prasanna and choreographer Vijay Ganguly gave shape to the number. A source from the set reveals, “It’s a feel-good track. It’s unclear whether it will be part of the narrative. Most likely, it will be a special number attached to the credits, playing out like a montage that ties together the movie’s central themes.”

Post-production of Sitaare Zameen Par, which also stars Darsheel Safary, is nearly complete. We’ve heard that Khan is considering kicking off the promotional campaign by early May. The source adds, “The film’s subject is very close to Aamir. He is keen to build early awareness around the movie, and position it thoughtfully.”

Mumbai’s iconic Bandra Fort holds many special memories for Imran Khan, who filmed several scenes of his debut film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008) at the location. The actor took a stroll down memory lane as he joined us for an exclusive shoot at the famous landmark, which was revamped and reopened. Walking along the fort area, with its garden that now has exotic trees, an amphitheatre area and more, the Bandra boy couldn’t help getting nostalgic and recalling memories associated with place.

Imran recalled, “My memories go way back before Jaane Tu. When I was 15-16, I used to hang around here with my friends, and at that time this area was desolate. There was just a juice centre here where we would have sandwiches and vada pav, but there were barely any crowds. There would be some questionable folks hiding in the bushes, and we were told not to visit this area. So, there was a sense of adventure each time we came here. When Abbas (Tyrewala) wanted to shoot the film here, it hit home for a lot of us, as even Genelia (Deshmukh) is a Bandra girl. It was our backyard, which is why it felt so organic for our characters to hang around here.”

Imran also recalled that the Bandra Fort was converted into a mela for a song sequence in Milan Luthria’s Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara.

Speaking about how he has seen the area he has lived in all his life change, the actor says, “It’s a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the place is cleaned up, and there are promenades and street lighting, which make it look great. Now it looks like a park-complex, however, that feeling of mystery and romance doesn’t exist. There was a charm to the old relic. But during my teenage years, Carter Road was a backroad that no one used. You could sit there any time of the day as it was always deserted. I miss that feeling of quiet, today Bandra is the central hub of the city.”

Imran says his one regret is that he can’t take his daughter Imara to the places he enjoyed as a child. He says at one point he had to have a talk with Imara and explain the situation to her. “She would wonder why people are following our car, so I gradually explained to her that I acted in some movies, so people recognize me. When you have these conversations with a child, you realize how bizarre the situation is. Once you become an actor, part of the contract is that you can no longer wander into public spaces like anyone else. That is an experience I regret not being able to give to my child. If she wants to go to a public park, we have to plan it in a certain way because sometimes people don’t have a sense of consideration around a little child, their excitement of seeing a famous person overrides everything.”

In a world where parenting has taken on a new meaning and is throwing new challenges at us, the key is finding the right balance between gentle guidance and setting healthy boundaries. Most importantly, the focus today is on cultivating a child’s skills, beyond textbooks and classrooms. On Children’s Day, the actress and mom to two boys, Genelia Deshmukh, shares her views on parenting and how her husband Riteish Deshmukh and she embrace old-school values with new-age concepts to raise their sons, Riaan (10) and Rahyl (8).

Genelia says that motherhood has been a transformative experience that has pushed her to become the best version of herself. “Parenthood is the most wonderful thing that’s ever happened to me. The responsibility of raising children is like no other job. I have become the best version of myself because of my kids, Riaan and Rahyl. They have made me more compassionate and opened my eyes to things I was once blinded to,” she says.

Children’s Day has always been a special celebration in Genelia’s family, even when she was growing up. “My parents celebrated it beautifully. They would wake us up, make us feel special, and give us whatever we wanted that day,” she recalls, adding, “We try to emphasize to our kids that they’re the best thing that’s happened to us. While we have 365 days to tell them that, this particular day is extremely special and significant for us.”

To equip and prepare her children to thrive in a world of intense competition from an early age, Genelia’s approach is to focus on their internal growth and hone various skills (beyond academics) rather than external comparisons.

She shares, “My advice to them is that they don’t need to look at someone else, because their priority should be their own well-being, their strength to grow, and the ability to do better. I remember not liking comparisons when I was younger, and I genuinely believe every child has a unique personality that’s special. We don’t need to be anyone else. That’s how I approach competition. Every morning, we begin with a prayer of gratitude and a simple message to them - Be the best version of yourself.”

The actress does not endorse a screen-focused lifestyle for children. She believes different activities, especially physical activity, is a very important part of a child’s mental and physical growth.

She says, “For my boys, physical activity is a way of life, and they never miss practice. Our holidays are also planned around their schedules, and even major events are willingly missed if there’s a tournament or game. They are extremely diligent about it. Playing sports instils a lot of life lessons, and it’s one of the most valuable things they’ve embraced. It teaches discipline, how to handle stress, and that losing is a part of life, with opportunities to grow better each time.”

She adds, “Riteish and I have learnt to enjoy what our sons love. You won’t remember the toys your parents gave you, but you will remember the moments spent together. One memorable tradition is Riteish’s unique whistle before our sons play soccer and during the game. They wait for it every time before stepping onto the field; it’s our way of cheering them on.”

Recognizing the significance of both traditional and contemporary approaches to parenting, Genelia prefers a route that incorporates the best of both. “Yes, our parents were stricter, but they were amazing at what they did, and we turned out fine,” she reflects, acknowledging that today’s children require a more balanced, hybrid approach.

She adds, “Kids today like reasoning, they have opinions and are encouraged to express them. You can’t compare parenting styles from different eras; we are in a different time now. We try to merge old-school values with new-age parenting, which I feel makes a significant difference in raising our children.”

While debut films are special for most actors in their professional journey, for Riteish and Genlia Deshmukh, the movie marked the beginning of their life together as a couple. The two first met when they signed the film and fell in love during the making of Tujhe Meri Kasam. It hit the screens in January 2003, and nearly a decade later, in 2012, the duo tied the knot.

Now, 21 years later, the film is being re-released. Talking about it, Riteish said, “It’s been 21 years since the film released, and it has, of course, been a part of our discussions at home. The movie is obviously very close to our hearts. Just like we celebrate our marriage and dating anniversary, we also celebrate Tujhe Meri Kasam anniversary.”

Riteish is glad that the audience will get to watch it on the big screen, as it’s not available on any OTT platform. “The film is not available on any OTT platforms, but over the years, it would be re-released during festivals like Diwali in Maharashtra. On social media, people often ask us where they can watch the film, and I am glad that it is re-releasing in theatres. Whenever I go to different parts of Maharashtra to promote my other films, people still sing songs from that film.”

Ask Riteish how many times he has watched his debut film, and he replies, “I haven’t seen the film in 21 years. I can’t watch it… I will cringe if I see it (laughs). For Genelia and me, the film was special because it changed our lives. We started our journey together with it. We were not prepared to be actors. Our lives changed because of that one film.”

After the success of his directorial debut, Ved (2022), actor Riteish Deshmukh will helm his second film, Raja Shivaji. Thrilled to announce it on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, he says, “Today, as we celebrate Shiv Jayanti, this is the perfect time to announce Raja Shivaji that’s based on the life of Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.”

The film will be produced by his production house, Mumbai Film Company (MFC), in collaboration with Jio Studios. It will be released in Marathi and Hindi. “When you want to make a film on a larger-than-life personality, it warrants a certain scale. We are proud to collaborate with Jyoti Deshpande (CEO, Viacom 18) and Jio Studios, who have the legacy of backing ambitious films,” he says.

The 45-year-old wanted to work on a film on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for the longest time: “His stories have been heard by everyone in and outside Maharashtra and teach us to stand against injustice.”

The “overwhelming love of audiences for Ved” pushed Riteish to make films he believed in. Crediting his wife, actor Genelia Deshmukh as the driving force, the Housefull (2010) and Lai Bhaari (2014) actor says, “In the last 10 years, our quest has been to make new and fresh content in MFC. For Raja Shivaji, I don’t think I can trust anyone else. Genelia is fantastic with planning and is the most important part of the film as the producer, and, I feel, as a director, I am in safe hands.”

Riteish is looking forward to reuniting with music director duo Ajay-Atul. He says, “When it comes to the sound of Maharashtra and making local [music] sound global, there’s no other than them.”

He is equally excited to have cinematographer Santosh Sivan on board, “When we talk about Raja Shivaji, we want it to be a beautiful looking film and for that there’s no one better than Santosh Sivan sir to weave cinematographic magic on celluloid. It is a huge honour and I am thankful to Genelia for getting him on board.”

Sometimes, we all require a nudge before we follow our heart. Genelia Deshmukh remembers being fairly certain that she wanted to be a part of Trial Period when she finished reading the script. But that nudge to follow her instinct and make her digital debut with the film came from actor-husband Riteish Deshmukh. “Riteish played a big role in my signing the project,” shares the actor.

“We often discuss our scripts, and are each other’s bouncing boards. After I read Trial Period, the next person I gave the script to was Riteish. He has a better sense of scripts than I do.  Now that he is a director, I see a totally different side to him. We both saw Trial Period as a sweet family film.”

Aleya Sen’s directorial venture has Genelia playing a single mother who gives in to her son’s demand and brings him a father, essayed by Manav Kaul, on a 30-day trial period. One of the reasons the Jio Cinema offering is special to her is that her sons, Riaan and Rahyl, loved it.

“My boys hardly see any of our films. But since Trial Period was an OTT release, it was a nice experience watching it at home with my family,” she smiles.

Last year, Genelia returned to the movies after a decade-long break with the Marathi blockbuster, Ved. Now, the actor is looking forward to doing more projects. To her, the medium is secondary; what matters is the story.

“Having played bubbly, girl-next-door roles, now I am keen to do something darker and stronger, like Gone Girl [2014]. When I was on a break, one of the series I loved was Delhi Crime. It made me want to come back to acting because it had an amazing character [leading it], and Shefali Shah carried it on her shoulders.”

Is another collaboration with Riteish on the cards, after Ved? The two are quite popular on Instagram, thanks to their quirky reels. Genelia reveals that they have been offered quite a few projects, owing to their reels.

“Many [filmmakers and creators] have been offering us rom-coms, situational comedies and the chance to host our own shows. If something has to shape up, we’d be happy to be part of it.”