KA – Official Teaser (HDR) | Kiran Abbavaram | Sujith & Sandeep | Sam CS

During a promotional interview for her upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par, actress Genelia D’Souza firmly shut down a question that seemed to downplay her contributions in South Indian cinema. When asked if she felt she never received strong roles in the South, Genelia gave a fitting and heartfelt response that highlighted her deep respect for the Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam film industries.

“I’ve always had solid roles in the South,” Genelia asserted. “In fact, some of the best characters in my career came from there. It was my learning ground, and I’ll always be grateful for the kind of work I got.” She fondly recalled her iconic roles — Haasanthi from Bommarillu (Telugu), Harini from Santosh Subramaniam (Tamil), and Ayesha from Urumi (Malayalam) — noting how those characters are still remembered by audiences.

Genelia also took a moment to reflect on a common issue in the film industry — the constant search for external validation. “I feel the problem lies in seeking validation. Actors should take up work in different languages for the love of the craft. If you enjoy the process, your work and career will speak for itself.”

She added that she’s had the privilege of working with top filmmakers like Shankar and SS Rajamouli, as well as first-time directors, and she cherished every experience. Her words were not only a celebration of her journey but also a reminder of the depth and opportunity that South Indian cinema offers to those who embrace it.