Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na's 'Rats and Meow': Imran Khan and Genelia D'Souza

Genelia D'Souza

While she seems like a refreshing new face in the movie industry, the young 20 yr old actress has done well over a dozen movies in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and even Hindi in what's known as Kollywood, Tollywood and Bollywood.

Genelia's parents originally from Goa moved to England where she was born on 5th August, 1987. After her family relocated to Mumbai, Genelia studied at Apostolic Carmel High School in Bandra, Mumbai. She joined the St. Andrews College, Bandra to pursue her Bachelor's Degree. The dusky angel first hit the limelight with a Parker Pen commercial starring along side the great Amitabh Bachchan and further did a Fair and Lovely ad appearing along side the dashing Indian batsman of the eighties, Krishnamachary Srikkanth.

In the year 2003, the sprightly, bubbly Genelia made her acting debut in Bollywood with ‘Tujhe Meri Kasam’ opposite Ritesh Deshmukh. And down South she worked simultaneously in two films – ‘Boys’ in Tamil and ‘Satyam’ in Telugu. The big budget Tamil movie 'Boys' directed by Shankar was a box-office hit and launched her career. Her debut film in Kannada 'Satya In Love' grossed 4 crores in its opening week thus setting a new record in the Kannada film industry. The film has gone on to become a huge blockbuster. Recently, she won the Filmfare Award as a Best Actress for her performance in the block buster Telugu movie 'Bommarillu' for the year 2006.

After she tasted success in Bollywood with 'Masti' again opposite Ritesh Deshmukh, Genelia did something no one expected....She moved away from Bollywood and began doing films in Tamil and Telugu, becoming one of the most sought-after heroines down South.

Genelia looked well ensconced in her niche in south, but destiny had other plans for her. Abbas Tyrewala decided to cast her in his directorial debut 'Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na' opposite Imran Khan despite initially wanting to introduce a new face in the film. Abbas found Genelia “most suited for the role because of her unique exuberance”. The same goes for Priyadarshan who cajoled Genelia to end her self-chosen sabbatical from Bollywood and act in his comedy film Mere Baap Pehle Aap opposite Akshaye Khanna .

And now that Genelia is reviving her Bollywood career, offers have already begun pouring in for the gal. To start with, she has signed a multi-starrer comedy with Govinda and Fardeen Khan . She will also be Harman Baweja ’s leading lady in a film to be directed by Anees Bazmee . The movie, titled It's My Life is the Hindi remake of her Telugu hit ‘Bommarillu’.

From Bollywood to South to Bollywood. Genelia has come a full circle.

Rumour Mills: Recently industry sources have reported that Genelia is rejecting new offers as her marriage is on cards. Genelia fell in love with a Tamil hero, Bharat. Love between the couple blossomed during the shooting of the Tamil film ‘Chennai Kadal’.

Imran Khan

Imran is the son of Nuzhat Khan and Anil Pal is no stranger in the film industry. Even though parents Anil and Nuzhat married and divorced when Imran was just one and half years old, He grew up with the surname Khan as his mother brought him up. Before joining the film industry however, he lived with his father to finish high school in California and then got trained in film making at New York. His paternal grandmother is British while grandfather is a Bengali. He is also the nephew of superstar Aamir Khan, renowned director Mansoor Khan and the grandson of Nasir Hussain who was a legendary director and producer.

Imran has made appearances as a child artist in his uncle Aamir's super hit films Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (1992). Both times he played the role of a young Aamir Khan.

Imran says he never thought he will become an actor.

"I never thought of becoming an actor. I had gone to New York Film Academy in Los Angeles and trained as a director. I had always wanted to become a director. Only because Abbas wanted me to act in the film that I decided to act," he said. Imran actually started his film career behind the camera, when he worked on a television show while in Los Angeles. "Unfortunately our pilot episodes were not picked up by anyone," he rues.

With His Debut in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Imran is being appreciated in all fronts from critics to the audience. He, now the cream of town, is being tagged as the "Next Big Superstar."

In the works Imran is gearing up for his other Movies scheduled for 2008-2009: 'Kidnap', 'Luck' and 'Delhi Belly'

Videos

Genelia D'Souza: The Real Aditi (An Interview on her character Aditi, her likeness to that character in Real life, her career and more...)


Imran Khan Speaks About 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na'


Genelia D'Souza in an old Fair & Lovely Ad...bet you've seen this before but didn't recognise her in this one!

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