All things ‘love’: Ritesh finds his romantic bone

B-town’s favourite comic actor talks about all things ‘love’.

KARACHI:

When on-screen chemistry spills over into real life, audiences are absolutely riveted. The same was the case when Bollywood sweethearts Genelia D’Souza and Ritesh Deshmukh got together — their wedding turned out to be one of the most talked about events which was attended by Bollywood royalty. The Express Tribune got in touch with Ritesh to talk about working with wife Genelia on his latest film Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya.

As an actor, you are mostly recognised for your comedic roles, how does it feel to work in a romantic film?

While I have done a lot of comedy roles in the past, I love experimenting with different types of roles. Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya is a love story with a humorous element to it. I find acting in the genre of rom-coms more fun if there is great chemistry between my co-star and I. Having Genelia working with me on this film helped in translating our off-screen chemistry on to the big screen.

How does it feel to be working with Genelia on this film? How was it different from other films you have worked on?

It is a really good feeling. The kind of comfort level that I share with her, I don’t think I can have with anyone else. It’s always fun working with someone you have known for so long.

Who has better acting chops, you or Genelia?

I think Genelia is a better actor than me. She is quick to adapt to her role which is needed when it comes to any good film.

As a couple, do you feel you share better on-screen or off-screen chemistry?

We got married after being with each other for eight long years which shows how strong our chemistry is in real life. It automatically makes our chemistry on-screen look really special.

Your wedding took place very close to the launch of Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya — was this planned?

No, it was completely coincidental. Nobody wants to plan their wedding before their film release date. Somehow, it just worked out that way. It wasn’t a sudden or an early decision for either one of us.

Both of you have a large fan following in Pakistan. Is there any message you would like to give your fans across the border?

It’s a nice feeling to know that we have fans in Pakistan — it makes us feel special. I want to thank our fans for loving us so much and we promise to never disappoint them.

Pakistani musicians have made quite an impact in Bollywood, do you have any favourites?

Yes, they really have and I think they deserve all the respect they get. I love Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan — they sing so well that I run short of words to praise them.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2012.