Genelia Deshmukh has always exuded warmth on screen, but motherhood has quietly reshaped her perspective behind it too. After the success of Ved in 2023—a Marathi film she produced and starred in under her husband Riteish Deshmukh’s direction—Genelia has confirmed that a sequel is inevitable. But what’s equally compelling is why she wants to make it.
“Ved 2 is definitely on the cards,” Genelia tells Mirror. “It might take a year or two, but people keep asking about it, and it has to happen.” This simple statement reflects a deeper philosophy: she wants her projects to align with her life’s seasons, not just the demands of the box office.
As a mother to Riaan and Rahyl, Genelia now chooses stories she wants her children to grow up watching. She recently took them, along with 30 other kids, to watch Sitaare Zameen Par. “It’s a film about inclusion and empathy—it teaches important life lessons,” she shares, adding that she misses films that speak to children without talking down to them. “Everyone has their own version of normal. I was proud to be part of it.”
This consciousness shapes her view of cinema’s purpose. For Genelia, films are not merely products but opportunities for conversation, family bonding, and shared reflection. “A good film always finds its audience,” she says. “People don’t avoid theatres; sometimes the content just isn’t engaging enough. Theatres are special because they turn a film into a family outing.”
That is why Ved 2, whenever it arrives, will be made with intention rather than haste. The first Ved became more than a box office hit; it turned into a household favourite, resonating with viewers who saw their own struggles and quiet triumphs reflected on screen. Its impact was felt in the Deshmukh home too, where their sons enjoyed it alongside classics like Dhamaal.
As she and Riteish continue with individual projects, Genelia’s clarity remains evident: family, storytelling, and purpose will guide the timing and spirit of her work. In a world chasing quick franchises, Ved 2 promises to arrive not just as a sequel, but as another chapter crafted with the sincerity and warmth audiences associate with Genelia.
By Sulagna Kar
