Genelia D'Souza (born August 5, 1987) is an Indian actress, model, and host. She has appeared in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam language films. After gaining wide attention in a Parker Pen commercial with Amitabh Bachchan, D'Souza began her acting career with Tujhe Meri Kasam in 2003. She was recognized for her role in Boys the same year, and later established herself in Telugu cinema by acting in several Telugu films during 2003–2005.
D'Souza received her first Filmfare Award in 2006 for her performance in the Telugu romantic film, Bommarillu, which earned her critical acclaim. In 2008, she gave critically acclaimed performances in Santosh Subramaniam, a Tamil remake of Bommarillu, and the Bollywood movie Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na. Having acted in several commercially successful movies in Telugu and Tamil, D'Souza has established herself as one of the leading actresses of the South Indian film industry.[1][2] In addition to movie acting, D'Souza has hosted the television show Big Switch, and is the brand ambassador of Fanta, Virgin Mobile India, Fastrack, LG Mobiles, Garnier Light, Margo, and Perk in India.[3]
She gained wide attention from the Parker Pen commercial with Amitabh Bachchan,[17] who said "she was good, and her expressions were spontaneous".[18] She further did a Fair and Lovely 2003 Cricket World Cup advertisement with cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth.[16]
Favourite actor – Sharukh Khan
Favourite actres – Kajol
Favourite movies – Boys ( Tamil ), Bommarillu ( Telugu )
Favourite Director – Shankar
Favourite dress – Jeans & T-Shirts, Salwars
Favourite Singer – Lucky Ali
Favourite colour – Red & White
Favourite games – A State Level Athlete , A Sprinter, and A National Level Football Player.
Hobbies - Watching Movies & Songs
2003 – Tujhe Meri Kasam
2003 – Boys
2003 – Satyam
2004 – Masti
2004 – Samba
2004 – Sye
2005 – Naa Alludu
2005 – Sachein
2005 – Subhash Chandra Bose
2006 – Happy
2006 – Raam
2006 – Bommarillu
2006 – Chennai Kadhal
2007 – Dhee
2008 – Mr. Medhavi
2008 – Satya In Love
2008 – Santosh Subramaniam
2008 – Mere Baap Pehle Aap
2008 – Ready
2008 – Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
2008 – King
2009 – Sasirekha Parinayam
2009 – Life Partner
2009 – Katha
2010 – Chance Pe Dance
2010 – Uthama Puthiran
2010 – Orange
2011 – Hook Ya Crook
2011 – Urumi
2011 – It’s My Life
2011 – Velayudham
2011 – Force
Awards & Nomination
2003 – Tujhe Meri Kasam – Nominated, Star Screen Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Female
2006 – Bommarillu – Winner, Nandi Special Jury Award
2006 – Bommarillu – Winner, Telugu Filmfare Award for Best Actress
2006 – Bommarillu – Winner, Santosham Award for Best Actress
2008 – Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na – Nominated, Star Screen Award for Best Actress
2008 – Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na – Nominated, Stardust Superstar of Tomorrow – Female
2009 – Katha – Winner, Nandi Special Jury Award
D'Souza received her first Filmfare Award in 2006 for her performance in the Telugu romantic film, Bommarillu, which earned her critical acclaim. In 2008, she gave critically acclaimed performances in Santosh Subramaniam, a Tamil remake of Bommarillu, and the Bollywood movie Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na. Having acted in several commercially successful movies in Telugu and Tamil, D'Souza has established herself as one of the leading actresses of the South Indian film industry.[1][2] In addition to movie acting, D'Souza has hosted the television show Big Switch, and is the brand ambassador of Fanta, Virgin Mobile India, Fastrack, LG Mobiles, Garnier Light, Margo, and Perk in India.[3]
Early life and educational background
Born in Mumbai[4] into a Mangalorean Catholic family,[5][6] D'Souza was raised a Roman Catholic in the Bandra suburb of Mumbai.[7] Her mother Jeanette D'Souza was formerly a managing director with a Pharma Multinational corporation (MNC), who left her job in 2004 to help Genelia with her career. Her father Neil D'Souza, is a senior official with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).[8] She also has a younger brother, Nigel D'Souza,[9][10] who works with the Bombay Stock Exchange.[11] According to D'Souza, her name "Genelia", means "rare" or "unique", and is a portmanteau of Jeanette and Neil, her mother and father's name. She is also often informally referred to as Geenu, her nickname.[12] D'Souza studied at the Apostolic Carmel High School in Bandra and later joined St. Andrew's College in Bandra to pursue her Bachelor's Degree of Management Studies.[13] She completed her degree while shooting for her first film, Tujhe Meri Kasam in 2003 and initially thought that an MNC job would suit her.[14] She liked sports and studies in college,[14] and was a state level athlete, sprinter, and a national level football player.[15] D'Souza did her first modeling assignment at the age of 15,[7] the result of being spotted as the bridesmaid at a wedding.[14] She was selected for the Parker Pen commercial with Amitabh Bachchan, just two days before her exams, and had to shoot the next day. Initially she refused, because of her exam the next day, but the director persuaded D'Souza to shoot for the commercial.[14][16]
She gained wide attention from the Parker Pen commercial with Amitabh Bachchan,[17] who said "she was good, and her expressions were spontaneous".[18] She further did a Fair and Lovely 2003 Cricket World Cup advertisement with cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth.[16]
Celebs Favorite
Filmography
Awards & Nomination
