
Genelia Deshmukh On success, Motherhood & Entrepreneurship: We Shouldn’t Let Others Define Our Path
At a recent women empowerment event, genelia Deshmukh opened up about her career journey, handling success and failure, balancing motherhood with stardom, and launching a sustainable business.
At a recent women empowerment event, genelia Deshmukh opened up about her career journey, handling success and failure, balancing motherhood with stardom, and launching a sustainable business.
On success & Failure
Genelia emphasized that success and failure are just parts of life, urging people not to dwell on them. "We often over-celebrate success and stress too much about failure. What truly matters is the intent and impact of our daily lives," she shared. Having worked in six languages, she recalled how people doubted her return to films after a decade-long break from motherhood. "Many told me it wouldn’t work, but my comeback film became a cult hit. We shouldn't let others define our journey," she said.
Genelia’s Career & Film Journey
Genelia Deshmukh made a name for herself with her charming screen presence and versatile performances across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and malayalam cinema. She gained nationwide fame with Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (2008), but before that, she was already a sought-after actress in the South, starring in successful films like bommarillu (2006), Santosh Subramaniam (2008), and Boys (2003). After her marriage to actor Riteish Deshmukh, she took a break from acting to focus on her family but made a powerful comeback with Ved (2022), proving her ability to reconnect with audiences even after a decade-long hiatus.
Motherhood & Reinventing Herself as an Entrepreneur
During her ten-year break, genelia focused on self-growth and raising her children. She revealed that her transition to a plant-based lifestyle was challenging, which led to the creation of Imagine Meats, a sustainable alternative for flexitarians. "We noticed a lack of high-protein vegetarian options, which inspired us to create Imagine Meats for those who seek a balance between sustainability and nutrition," she explained.
Empowered Voices & Takeaways
The discussion, featuring Masaba Gupta, Meghna Ghai Puri, ananya Birla, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, and other influential women, explored the delicate balance between ambition, personal well-being, and breaking societal norms. Genelia’s journey highlights the power of resilience, self-care, and following one’s passion despite societal expectations.