When Riteish Deshmukh opened up about falling in love with Genelia; revealed what he loved most about her

Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh are often hailed as one of Bollywood’s most beloved couples — a true embodiment of old-school romance. Even after more than two decades together and years of marriage, the couple continues to inspire fans with their unwavering bond, heartfelt gestures, and constant support for one another. Whether it’s sharing candid moments on social media or simply being each other’s pillar through life’s highs and lows, their relationship is admired across generations.



Where It All Began

The love story of Riteish and Genelia began in 2002 at Hyderabad airport, during a casual meeting for the test shoot of their debut film Tujhe Meri Kasam. What started as an initial meeting soon blossomed into a close friendship on set. As they spent more time together, that friendship gradually evolved into love — laying the foundation for one of Bollywood’s most enduring and heartwarming romances.



Their love story

In a 2014 interview with The Tribune, Riteish spoke warmly about his wife, Genelia and shared that they acted together in his first film and became best friends during that time. Riteish said, "Genelia and I are one entity. Falling in love with your friend and becoming your life is the best thing that can happen to a person. I love her energy and her smile."



Taking the plunge

After dating each other for ten years, they finally tied the knot on February 3, 2012. The couple later welcomed their first child, son, Riaan, on November 25, 2014. Their family felt complete when their second son, Rahyl, was born on June 1, 2016.



Professionally, the duo also starred in 'Masti', 'Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya', 'Ved'. Riteish has acted in films like 'Kyaa Kool Hai Hum', 'Grand Masti', 'Housefull series' , and so on. He was last seen in director Raj Kumar Gupta's 'Raid 2' alongside Ajay Devgan.



Meanwhile, Genelia is set to make a strong comeback with 'Sitaare Zameen Par', where she stars alongside Aamir Khan. She’ll also be seen in 'Raja Shivaji' in 2026 with Riteish Deshmukh and is set to return to South cinema with the film 'Junior'.