'This role felt like me': Genelia D'Souza on her upcoming film 'Sitaare Zameen Par'

By the time Genelia D’Souza appears on screen in Sitaare Zameen Par, you already feel her presence. As Sunita—a quietly persuasive, emotionally grounded character whose presence is largely felt in the second half—she becomes the kind of voice who doesn’t need to shout to be heard. And in many ways, that mirrors who she is now.

“I think Sunita reflects the version of me I’ve grown into,” Genelia says in a Zoom conversation, thoughtful and composed. “She’s someone I’ve seen evolve through all my own phases—from early stardom, to marriage, motherhood, and now, producing. It felt like a natural extension of where I am in life.”

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But this wasn’t just a character choice. For Genelia, it was a statement of intent: a desire to embody roles that speak to her current self—woman, mother, creator—without letting go of the childlike spark that made her Aditi from Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na such an icon.

“You’ll know what I am taking about when you watch the film,” she says.

At its heart, Sitaare Zameen Par is a story about inclusion. But it never announces itself that way. The film, led by Aamir Khan and directed by R.S. Prasanna, follows ten neurodivergent adults and the reluctant coach who comes to understand them—and himself.

“It’s not trying hard to give a message,” Genelia says. “But you leave the theatre with something lasting. That’s powerful storytelling.”

It’s also personal. Genelia’s parenting philosophy has long reflected this ethos.

“I always ask my kids—did you speak to the child sitting alone at lunch?” she says. “That’s a conversation I have every other day. You can’t call yourself a good person if you’re not inclusive. That’s just how I see it.”

Which is why being part of a film that normalises neurodivergence on screen felt like the perfect fit.

Working with the real ‘sitaares’

Nine out of the ten neurodivergent actors in the film are debutants—a fact that surprises most, including Genelia.

“If you ask me, I’d say this wasn’t their first film. That’s how good they were,” she says. “We all went through the same process—auditions, workshops, rehearsals. But what they brought was something you can’t teach: authenticity.”

There’s no overthinking, she explains. No posturing. Just raw, candid emotions that elevate every frame.

“You sit with them and it just feels warm. The whole film feels warm. It’s the kind of story you’d want to take your parents to, without a second thought.”

When asked about working with Aamir Khan, Genelia lights up—not as a fan, but as a fellow actor who found a true collaborator.

“He never left us,” she says. “Even when he wasn’t on camera, he was right there. Helping, guiding, being part of the team.”

She recalls his famous no-phone rule on set. “We all started interacting more—sharing stories, thoughts. It made the experience so much richer.”

Phases, films, and what comes next

This role marks a turning point—not just in Genelia’s career, but in the kind of stories she wants to tell.

“As a producer, I now have the power to greenlight projects. Some I won’t act in, but they still need to feel like me. I want to see characters who are my age, who reflect the complexities of a mother, or a wife. I’d love to do an adult love story too.”

She hopes the industry starts writing more roles “for women like us”—not as side characters, but as fully realised protagonists.

So what does success mean to someone who has navigated multiple careers, industries, and identities?

“It’s temporary,” Genelia says, without hesitation. “What matters is showing up—for your kids, your set, your people.”

She has, on more than one occasion, said no to appointments because of her children’s school events.

“There are times I’ve not given a date because of a football match. And yes, people are shocked. But that match means everything to my child—and to me.”

It’s this quiet conviction that defines her today: take each role seriously, carry each responsibility with grace, and remember that highs and lows are part of the game. “Sports taught me that,” she adds. “You don’t quit. You find a way.”

And when it comes to tears…

Between her and husband Riteish Deshmukh, who is more likely to cry during a film like Sitaare Zameen Par?

“Me!” she says, laughing. “But off late? Riteish. He’s the kindest guy I know. Never looks for a fight. Just moves on with love.”

It’s fitting that the conversation circles back to warmth, family, and connection—because that’s what Sitaare Zameen Par ultimately celebrates.

And in Genelia’s case, it’s not just a film role. It’s a reflection of the person—and parent—she’s become, without letting go of the childlike spark which was evident in her character Aditi.

Husain Rizvi

husain@khaleejtimes.com

Husain Rizvi is a Senior Features Writer who covers entertainment and lifestyle stories and has a profound interest in tech (games) and sports. When he’s not working, you can find him at the gym, or finishing a boss fight in a video game.