Actress Genelia Deshmukh, who is a mother of two, said that her children are the reason she has become more compassionate. Genelia and actor Riteish Deshmukh have been married since 2012, and have two boys, Riaan (10) and Rahyl (8).
In a recent interview with Times of India, Genelia said, “Parenthood is the most wonderful thing that’s ever happened to me. The responsibility of raising children is like no other job. I have become the best version of myself because of my kids, Riaan and Rahyl. They have made me more compassionate and opened my eyes to things I was once blinded to.”
She advises her kids to never compare themselves with another person, and their main priority should be their own well-being. “I remember not liking comparisons when I was younger and I genuinely believe every child has a unique personality that’s special. We don’t need to be anyone else. That’s how I approach competition. Every morning, we begin with a prayer of gratitude and a simple message to them - Be the best version of yourself.”
The Tujhe Meri Kasam actress also reminisced about her own childhood and how her parents always made Children's Day special. “My parents celebrated it beautifully. They would wake us up, make us feel special, and give us whatever we wanted that day. We try to emphasise to our kids that they’re the best thing that’s happened to us. While we have 365 days to tell them that, this particular day is extremely special and significant for us.”
Genelia said that although her parents were stricter, with old-school values, they did an “amazing job” with her and her brother Nigel. But she acknowledges that parenting styles are different now and require a more blended approach. “We try to merge old-school values with new-age parenting, which I feel makes a significant difference in raising our children.”
Genelia will be seen next in Sitaare Zameen Par, a sequel to 2007 film Taare Zameen Par. The film is slated for a Christmas release.
