26 reasons to love Genelia

he official bubbly girl of Bollywood, Genelia D'Souza has come a long way since her debut in 2003. She has been juggling between Bollywood and southern films and is one of the most sought after actresses down south.

On her 26th birthday, here is a look at her Bollywood journey.

  • Genelia D'Souza has come a long way since her debut in 2003. She has been juggling Bollywood and southern films and is one of the most sought after actresses down South.<br><br> On her 26th birthday, here is a look at her Bollywood journey.
    Genelia D'Souza has come a long way since her debut in 2003. She has been juggling Bollywood and southern films and is one of the most sought after actresses down South.

    On her 26th birthday, here is a look at her Bollywood journey.
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  • Genelia D'Souza was born on August 5, 1987 in Mumbai to Jeanette D'Souza and Neil D'Souza. She studied in Apostolic Carmel High School and graduated in Management Studies from St Andrew's College. Genelia is a national level football player and a state level athlete and sprinter.
    Genelia D'Souza was born on August 5, 1987 in Mumbai to Jeanette D'Souza and Neil D'Souza. She studied in Apostolic Carmel High School and graduated in Management Studies from St Andrew's College. Genelia is a national level football player and a state level athlete and sprinter.
  • Genelia got her first modelling break at the age of 15 when she appeared with Amitabh Bachchan in a Parker Pen commercial. She also featured in a Fair and Lovely ad alongside former cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth.
    Genelia got her first modelling break at the age of 15 when she appeared with Amitabh Bachchan in a Parker Pen commercial. She also featured in a Fair and Lovely ad alongside former cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth.
  • Genelia's debut film was Vijaya Bhaskar's <i>Tujhe Meri Kasam</i> (2003) opposite Riteish Deshmukh, whom she went on to marry in 2012. The movie didn't do too well at the box office and Genelia moved down South where she delivered some critically acclaimed performances.
    Genelia's debut film was Vijaya Bhaskar's Tujhe Meri Kasam (2003) opposite Riteish Deshmukh, whom she went on to marry in 2012. The movie didn't do too well at the box office and Genelia moved down South where she delivered some critically acclaimed performances.
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  • Down South, Genelia made her debut with the 2003 Tamil hit film <i>Boys</i> and there was no looking back for the actress.
    Down South, Genelia made her debut with the 2003 Tamil hit film Boys and there was no looking back for the actress.
  • In 2004, Genelia was seen in a cameo in the movie <i>Masti</i> but that year she was more noted for her southern films <i>Samba</i> and <i>Sye</i>.
    In 2004, Genelia was seen in a cameo in the movie Masti but that year she was more noted for her southern films Samba and Sye.
  • Genelia's performance in southern films like <i>Bomarillu</i>, for which she won the Telugu Filmfare Award for Best Actress in 2006, and Tamil film <i>Santosh Subramaniam</i> (2008) were singled out for praise.
    Genelia's performance in southern films like Bomarillu, for which she won the Telugu Filmfare Award for Best Actress in 2006, and Tamil film Santosh Subramaniam (2008) were singled out for praise.
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  • box office.<br><br> It was the film <i>Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na</i> opposite Imran Khan that turned out to be the hit she was looking for and made Genelia a bona-fide Bollywood star.
    box office.

    It was the film Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na opposite Imran Khan that turned out to be the hit she was looking for and made Genelia a bona-fide Bollywood star.
  • Genelia's next two Bollywood films <i>Life Partner</i> (2009) and <i>Chance Pe Dance</i>(2010) turned out to be box office duds, although she was admired for her role in Telugu film <i>Katha</i> (2009), which fetched her a Nandi Special Jury Award.
    Genelia's next two Bollywood films Life Partner (2009) and Chance Pe Dance(2010) turned out to be box office duds, although she was admired for her role in Telugu film Katha (2009), which fetched her a Nandi Special Jury Award.
  • In 2011, Genelia featured in the Malayalam film <i>Urumi</i> for which she underwent rigorous training in sword fighting and martial arts.
    In 2011, Genelia featured in the Malayalam film Urumi for which she underwent rigorous training in sword fighting and martial arts.
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  • In Bollywood, Genelia featured opposite John Abraham in the film <i>Force</i> which recieved mixed reviews.
    In Bollywood, Genelia featured opposite John Abraham in the film Force which recieved mixed reviews.
  • Genelia married her longtime boyfriend and Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh on February 3, 2012, eight years after they started dating. Their's was Bollywood's first big wedding of 2012. They had a Marathi ceremony followed by a less-publicised church wedding.
    Genelia married her longtime boyfriend and Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh on February 3, 2012, eight years after they started dating. Their's was Bollywood's first big wedding of 2012. They had a Marathi ceremony followed by a less-publicised church wedding.
  • Genelia was last seen in the film <i>Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya</i> with her husband Ritiesh Deshmukh.
    Genelia was last seen in the film Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya with her husband Ritiesh Deshmukh.
  • Apart from films, Genelia has been the brand ambassador for multiple brands including Fanta, Perk, Virgin Mobile India and Garnier.
    Apart from films, Genelia has been the brand ambassador for multiple brands including Fanta, Perk, Virgin Mobile India and Garnier.
  • The actress also holds the Limca world record for delivering four hits in four different languages in one year.<br><br> Here's wishing the actress a very happy birthday.
    The actress also holds the Limca world record for delivering four hits in four different languages in one year.

    Here's wishing the actress a very happy birthday.