Genelia D'Souza Critiques Bollywood's Bias Against Married Actresses

Genelia D'Souza's Return to Cinema

Genelia D’Souza is set to make a highly awaited comeback in the film industry with Aamir Khan's upcoming project, 'Sitaare Zameen Par', where she portrays his on-screen spouse. The announcement of her role has generated excitement among fans and industry professionals. However, she expressed her discontent regarding the bias in Bollywood towards married actresses. Genelia disclosed that she auditioned for Aamir's film on three separate occasions.

In an open conversation with a media outlet, Genelia shared that while many congratulated her for collaborating with Aamir, only a few recognized that her casting was based on her talent rather than luck. She remarked, 'When people learned I was part of Sitaare Zameen Par, they exclaimed, ‘Oh my god! So lucky! You’re in an Aamir Khan film!’ I responded that it was Aamir sir’s vision that recognized my potential. He made me audition, but others could also offer me roles.'

She further criticized the industry's tendency to overlook married women, stating, 'People often follow societal norms. They might assume that since I’m married, I don’t fit this character. Filmmaking has evolved, and our mindset should too. It’s crucial to cast actors who match the character's age. When we cast someone significantly younger, they may not grasp the nuances of the role. It’s vital to make the right casting choices, and I hope opportunities are available for everyone.'

Recently, Aamir Khan addressed the age difference between him and Genelia in the film. He mentioned to a news source, 'With the advancements in VFX, we can portray various ages on screen seamlessly. In the past, I relied on prosthetics to play younger or older characters. Now, age is no longer a limitation for actors.'

'Sitaare Zameen Par' is the Hindi remake of the Spanish film 'Campeones' and serves as a spiritual sequel to the acclaimed 'Taare Zameen Par'. Both Genelia and Aamir portray characters in their early 40s, and the film is scheduled for a theatrical release on June 20.