Mostly remembered as Aditi from Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na, Genelia D’Souza has been part of several regional films as well.
It would not be wrong to say that Genelia D’Souza is known for her infectious energy, and girl-next-door charm. She has carved a niche for herself in Indian cinema, especially in the South film industry. And her career spans much beyond Bollywood with her starring in several Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam films with some unforgettable roles.
While most of us remember her as Aditi from Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na, she has been part of regional cinema much before that. So, on the occasion of her birthday, let’s take a look at some of her iconic film roles in regional cinema.
Role: Hasini
Being one of her most iconic performances, Bommarillu made Genelia a household name and she was loved across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. She portrayed the free-spirited and unpredictable Hasini, and got critical acclaim and massive fan love. Be it her chemistry with co-star Siddharth or her comic timing, the film emerged to be a cult hit. Genelia even bagged the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu.
Role: Hasini (Tamil remake of Bommarillu)
Genelia reprised her role of Hasini in the film's Tamil version alongside Jayam Ravi. It also emerged to be another massive success, and her performance was praised for retaining freshness. She got all the love from Tamil fans who embraced her as one of their own.
Role: Ankitha
Satyam certainly marked a turning point in Genelia’s career. Her role as a college girl in a coming-of-age romance helped her establish foothold in Telugu cinema despite not being commercially massive.
Role: Harini
Directed by Shankar, the film was youthful, and Genelia’s performance as Harini—an independent, confident teenager—was far ahead of its time. Her act is often considered to be a standout among early 2000s Tamil heroines.
Role: Arakkal Ayesha
In the historical epic helmed by Santosh Sivan, Genelia was seen as a fierce warrior woman. Since it was a shift from her usual romantic roles, she showed her range beyond bubbly characters. In fact, her physical transformation impressed Malayalam audiences.
Nonetheless, much before the term “pan-India” became a box-office phenomenon, Genelia effortlessly moved between industries and genres. She managed to shine in both Telugu and Tamil romantic dramas, as well as in Malayalam cinema.
Even today, Genelia’s legacy in regional cinema is rewatched across platforms. Happy Birthday, Genelia D’Souza.
