Genelia Deshmukh recalls being asked to change name by filmmakers early on: ‘They said it’s difficult..’

Genelia Deshmukh made her acting career in Bollywood with the 2003 film Tujhe Meri Kasam. She will be next seen in the film, Trial Period.

Actor Genelia Deshmukh spoke about the changes suggested to her regarding her name. (Photo: Instagram/geneliad)

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Actor Genelia Deshmukh recently revealed that some film producers and directors suggested she change her name during the initial days of her career. But she refused to take the suggestion and never agreed with them when they said Genelia is a difficult name to pronounce.

The actor, in an interview with Siddharth Kanan, shared, “When I first came into films, people told me to change my name. I don’t know what they were thinking but they said people will find it difficult (to pronounce) Genelia. But I said that’s my name. Today everyone calls it, so I am glad I didn’t take the suggestion.”

When asked if she got any name suggestions, she revealed she was asked to change her name to “Jeena”.

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Also Read | Genelia Deshmukh says she loves being ‘the girl next door’: ‘Last 10 years I have been a homemaker’

Genelia started her acting career back in 2003 with the film, Tujhe Meri Kasam. She shared the screen with actor Riteish Deshmukh in the movie, with whom she eventually fell in love. But, the couple, who is now married for over 10 years, kept their relationship under wraps before getting engaged.

During the promotion of Genelia’s 2008 film Jaane Tu Jaane Na, when the rumour of their relationship was at its peak, the couple refused to accept it. They did it not because they didn’t want any gossip around themselves, but they were not sure where their relationship is headed.

Genelia said, “I feel that we didn’t know where our relationship was going. I just said that until you are sure about something, you don’t need to unnecessarily go and make that whole banter…we just didn’t want to complicate things because we didn’t know where we were going.”

Genelia will be next seen in a film titled, Trial Period. It also stars Manav Kaul. It revolves around a son’s innocent wish of renting a father temporarily. Genelia plays the role of Anna, the young child’s mother.

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