Genelia D'Souza all praises for Allu Arjun, Jr. NTR, and Ram Charan; says "I'm really proud of my boys"

Genelia reminisced about her co-stars Jr. NTR, Ram Charan, and Allu Arjun as she reflected on her early days in Tollywood.

After a more than ten-year break, Genelia D'Souza is finally returning to Telugu cinema. The actress, who was last seen in the 2012 movie Naa Ishtam, will now co-star with debutant Kireeti Reddy and the gifted Sreeleela in the upcoming romantic drama Junior.

The actress talked candidly about her return and her journey, particularly her connections to Telugu cinema's biggest stars, during a press conference in Hyderabad.

Genelia reminisced about her co-stars Jr. NTR, Ram Charan, and Allu Arjun as she reflected on her early days in Tollywood. She said she was impressed by their progress since their infancy. "I thought, 'Wow!' when I watched RRR! I collaborated with these same boys on Orange and other movies. We all began our careers around the same time, so I've known them as friends," she said.

Genelia further added, "I'm really proud of my boys." "NTR was always gifted — he could look at three pages of dialogue and nail the scene in a single take," Genelia said when discussing their special traits.

"Allu Arjun was vivacious, and Ram Charan had a natural flair. Being a part of their lives as we were all growing up makes me proud to see them now as fathers and superstars," she said.

For those who don't know, Genelia starred with Ram Charan in Orange (2010), Jr. NTR in Samba (2004) and Naa Alludu (2005), and Allu Arjun in Happy (2006). "I owe my career to the South."

Although Genelia's Bollywood career may have begun with Tujhe Meri Kasam (2003), she attributes her career development to the South Indian film industry. "The South is responsible for my career. I did Satyam and Boys after Tujhe Meri Kasam. I was told not to do Satyam and to limit myself to glitzy roles like those in Boys. However, I always went with my gut—I picked the piece that resonated with me, and that piece picked me out," she said.

It's interesting to note that audiences thought she was a newcomer even though she had been away from Hindi cinema for six years before making a comeback with Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008). She chuckled, "I told them— I've already done good work in the South."

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Genelia is preparing for the July 18, 2025, theatrical release of Junior, following her recent role in Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par. The Hindi-Marathi historical drama Raja Shivaji will also feature her.

For fans who have long appreciated Genelia D'Souza's colourful performances, her return is a nostalgic moment filled with gratitude and a strong bond with South cinema.