Riteish, Genelia celebrate first Valentine’s Day after marriage

'Riteish has grown tremendously'
Actor a decade of courtship, actor Genelia D’Souza recently tied the knot with actor Ritiesh Deshmukh. Though they are quick to deny being romantics, they do believe in spending quality time together. Says Genelia, “The concept of Valentine’s Day is not totally unnecessary. We lead such fast-paced lived that a lot of time we tend to give each other very little time. And days like Valentine’s serve as gentle reminders to ensure that people take the time to make each other feel special.”

Currently, the two are traveling all over the country to promote their upcoming film Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya that releases on 24 February. After a fairytale wedding, the duo will be seen on screen together nine years since their debut in film Tujhe Meri Kasam. So has Riteish changed too since? “Working together after so long helps you understand the growth we’ve made as actors. When we worked with others we just interacted as friends, but seeing Riteish on the sets was a fun experience. He’s grown tremendously as an actor — as a co-star he keeps you on your toes,” says proud biwi Genelia. 

Has life changed after marriage? “Frankly, I haven’t had the time to think of it. It’s been a mad run as we’ve gotten right into promoting our film after the reception.”

So what does Genelia prefer now —Riteish the boyfriend or Riteish the husband? “Riteish is Riteish. He’s just great!” she quips. 

Ask the lissome actor her plans for V-day today, and she confesses that unlike the Valentine celebrations in the past, this time the couple is travelling for their film’s promotion. “We’ll be travelling and promoting our film Tere Naal... today. But I hope it turns out special,” says Genelia grinning. “We don’t believe in making a big hoopla about it. But it’s the small things between us that matter,” she adds.

‘Genelia is simple’
It’s actors Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia’s first Valentine post marriage today. And though the couple will be busy with the promotions of their upcoming romcom all through the day, Riteish hopes to spend some ‘us time’ with wife Gen, over a romantic dinner tonight. Talking about Valentine’s Day, the actor recalls that the first time around too they had gone on a special dinner.

As for today, Riteish says, “Well, we are both together all day today, but we are going to be so busy with the promotional activities of the film that we have not really planned anything yet, but we hope to at least have a nice dinner together.” Though Riteish says that it’s difficult to say who’s more romantic of the two, he does admit it’s very easy to make Genelia happy. “She enjoys the simple things so much, that I’m never really stuck about what to gift her. But this time we both have just been so busy, so let’s see what the day brings.”

In fact, so busy are the two that any plans of a romantic getaway too are on hold at the moment. “For now we are only thinking about the film, post that my brother Dheeraj is getting married, so everything will revolve around that. So, yes, even our vacation will happen after that I guess, we haven’t even spoken about that,” adds Riteish.

But ask him about how life’s changed after marriage and Riteish says, not much. “Well, to be honest, we’ve both been so busy with the film that the feeling of being married really hasn’t sunk in yet. But I don’t think either of us has changed at all. The only thing that’s changed is our relationship status. It doesn’t read single anymore,” smiles the actor. So, he’s okay with Genelia not quitting films post wedding? “Of course, that’s her call completely. She loves her work as much as I do. So, why would marriage change that?” quips Riteish, adding that there’s no clause of them coming as a package deal either. “If we work together again, great, if not that’s fine too.”

Their upcoming film also has a wedding sequence and the two even tied the knot as part of an act at a recent awards show. “But it’s nowhere close to the real thing,” Riteish adds quickly. “It’s hard to describe how it feels, but I’m very happy for sure.”