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‘I am a mad girl’
With films like It’s
My Life, Hook Ya Crook and Urumi in the
pipeline, Genelia D’Souza has her hands full. In a chat
with Sreya Basu, the actor says she
won’t change her mad self for anything
An avid sport lover, Genelia D’Souza has played all games from basketball to hockey |
How will you
define yourself?
I am a person
who loves to chill out more than anything else. I spent my
entire college life at Caf`E9 Coffee Day at Carter Road (Mumbai).
Even today, I have not changed my lifestyle; I still walk my way
from home to the caf`E9, though now, at times, it’s a bit
difficult because of my hectic schedules.
And also,
because people recognise you?
Yes. But unlike
other stars, I thoroughly enjoy it. I get super-excited when
someone calls me by my name. I too scream back: ‘Aiyeee’.
I know, at times, this creates confusion. So I try not to do my
mad things all the time.
Tell us about
your childhood days
I grew up in
Bandra. I am a complete sports girl: I have played everything
— from basketball to hockey`85the Joggers Park has so much
been a part of my life because of my trainings. Not many people
know that I am a state-level athlete. People used to call me a
tomboy, though I used to say that I am a tomboy with a feminine
side, though even I don’t know what that means. (Laughs) I am
a mad girl`85fully.
How did you
enter Bollywood?
One day I got a
call from Ramoji Rao saying he is doing a Hindi film called Tujhe
Meri Kasam and wants to launch me! Now, it was bad enough
that I got into modelling because I was from a family that has
no clue about the glamour world. And films were something I
couldn’t even think of attempting: first because, I was
clueless about acting. And then, in my family, films were like
‘No, no, no, it is a bad world and we can’t get into
it`85bla bla bla.’ And these guys kept calling me for a
month-and-a-half. Then, my mom said this is an opportunity and
that I should try it out. I always have the option to quit if I
am not happy with it.
So are you
happy the way your acting career has shaped up in Bollywood as
well as in South?
I am totally
satisfied. I had a peak, I had a fall, and I have a peak again.
But I was never out of work. However, my worst phase taught me a
lot. When I am in a hit phase now, I know things can go down. I
am really lucky that I got accepted in four industries (Hindi,
Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam).
You are mostly
projected as a young, bubbly, chirpy girl. Are you happy with
your image?
Absolutely. I
am young, fun-loving. I don’t want people to know me as
someone very reserved and serious, because I am not.
What is the
best thing you got yourself after becoming a star?
My Bandra apartment. I love
bright colours and decked it up accordingly. You will find a red
living area, an orange-and-white study-cum-gym, a blue-and-pink
bedroom. My home reflects my vibrancy. — TWF
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