EXCLUSIVE: Genelia Deshmukh Reveals Acts of Kindness by Amitabh Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty That She’ll Never Forget
In an exclusive chat with Instant Bollywood, Sitaare Zameen Par actress Genelia Deshmukh opened up about two heartwarming moments from her early days in the industry that left a lasting impression on her. The two people at the center of these memories? None other than Bollywood legends Amitabh Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty.
EXCLUSIVE: Genelia Deshmukh Reveals An Act of Kindness by Amitabh Bachchan She’ll Never Forget
Genelia, who had her first big break in an ad opposite Amitabh Bachchan, recalled how her very first experience in the entertainment world was made unforgettable thanks to the megastar’s humility and support.
“I was opposite a very great man, and he was unbelievable,” she said, speaking about Mr. Bachchan. “My first experience with the industry was with someone who was so welcoming. Someone who stood there while I was saying my dialogues throughout. Today, you have dupes. You’re sometimes not even acting with the actor you’re supposed to be with.”
That moment clearly meant more to her than just sharing screen space with a superstar. Genelia went on to share a special memory from that shoot, one that stayed with her all these years.
“I remember Mr. Bachchan saying this to the director back then. The director said, ‘Let’s cut her line.’ But Bachchan Sir said, ‘Why? She’s doing a good job!’ I don’t even think he knows he said that, but it had such a big impact on me. That you didn’t want to cut me out, even though you were such a superstar and you could have.”
She added that what truly struck her was the way he treated her as a co-actor, not just a newcomer. “You were giving me my due as a co-actor, and that, for me, was a super-duper star doing that. I started at that level where I saw magnanimity. I saw humbleness. I saw the punctuality of such a great man.”
(Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: “I Was Told To Fix My Gummy Teeth, Change My Name” – Genelia Deshmukh)
EXCLUSIVE: Genelia Deshmukh Reveals An Act of Kindness by Shilpa Shetty
And it wasn’t just Mr. Bachchan whose kindness stayed with her. Genelia also recalled a thoughtful gesture from Shilpa Shetty during a time when she was still working in the South film industry. The actress spoke about a day when she was getting ready on set and was feeling unsure about her look.
“I’m sure Shilpa Shetty doesn’t remember. I was in the South. We were getting ready. Shilpa was a star. She had her entire entourage with her. I had one person with me, and my hair was really bad. She noticed it. I didn’t ask her, but she realized and she said, ‘Why don’t you use my hairdresser?’ I used her hairdresser, and I don’t even know whether she knows it or remembers it. But those acts of kindness stayed with me. There are good people in every industry, I feel.”
In an industry that can often seem intimidating and cutthroat to outsiders, Genelia’s story is a lovely reminder that kindness and support still exist in the most unexpected places.
