Genelia D'Souza on returning to screen after a decade: 'Riteish said it's time'

Actor Genelia Deshmukh says her dece-long break from showbiz helped her brea life into character of Shravani from her latest film release "Ved", which marks directorial debut of her husband-actor Riteish Deshmukh.

While she appeared in cameos through years in Hindi films such as "Jai Ho" and "Force 2", Marathi movie "Ved" is her full-fledged role since 2012 Telugu title "Naa Ishtam".

35-year-old actor said unplanned hiatus ded layers to Shravani, an Indian Railways employee who is in love with her childhood crush and w her alcoholic husband Satya (Riteish). Satya, on or hand, is pining for his former girlfriend Nisha (Jiya Shankar).

" 10-year break gave me a chance to do or things in life, be a homemaker, to have children with my husband. Today, I feel thing was designed or planned. But when I look at it, it's also a homemaker's character, and I think it helped...

"As an actor, I take things from life, be it mine or someone else's. If I wasn't a homemaker or wife, I would never have been able to play Shravani's character," Genelia told PTI in an interview.

H it t been for Riteish, with whom she me her acting debut in 2003's "Tujhe Meri Kasam", she said she would have taken more time to resume work in films. "Ved" is her maiden Marathi feature film on which she also serves as producer.

During se 10 years, filmmakers approached her with offers but she thought it wasn't right time to get back on set, said actor, whose film credits include "Masti", "Bommarillu", "Urumi", and "Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na".

"re were quite a few films, which I thought wasn't right time for me. Honestly, I'd have taken a lot more time if it wasn't for Riteish. He said that 'w it's time to get back to doing what you're good at and what you like doing'."

Genelia, who shares sons Riaan (nine) and Rahyl (six) with Riteish, said her husband h her back both at home and work.

"I love being a mum. I always think 'What if my children are getting neglected?' But, he always steps in and says, 'If you're working, I'll be person who sees house, I'll be homemaker'. That kind of understanding and support gives me chance to do a film," she ded.

For someone who has featured in movies across Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kanna and Malayalam langus, Mumbai-born actor said she is proud to d Marathi to her filmography.

"I love what I've done. I think I've h good fortune to have worked in six industries and have h very prominent and positive films in each industry. Like I say, count your blessings. I'm extremely happy if someone offers me a film.

"And if I'm ir actor in that film, y work with me like re's one else who can do that role, and that's why I keep going from one industry to or because it stimulates me," she said.

Mounted on a reported budget of Rs 15 crore, "Ved" has earned over Rs 30 crore since its December 30 release.