Sitaare Zameen Par star Genelia D’Souza: 'Aamir Khan has a no-phone rule on set — And it works'

“It’s like speed dating — we’ve got seven minutes to impress each other,” I joked as our interview began. Genelia D’Souza laughed and agreed — instantly setting the tone for a breezy yet disarmingly candid chat packed with warmth, humility, and heart.

In her long-awaited comeback, Genelia plays Sunita in Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par — a film that’s already trending for its emotional core and uplifting message. As a mother of three, I told her I plan to take my kids first day, first show. “All of them are sore losers,” I confessed, “and I want them to see that it’s okay not to win.” Genelia nodded, “Exactly. Even when you’re on the outside, you’re learning.”

She speaks from experience — both as a parent and as someone closely involved in her children’s sporting lives. “My boys are benched a lot — one match, two matches, even three in a row. They take it hard,” she admits. “But I always tell them: it’s okay. You’re still growing.”

Her role as Sunita may not dominate screen time, but it left a lasting impact on her. “It’s a significant role. A deeply human one,” Genelia says. “I was drawn to the emotional complexity of Sunita and Gulshan’s relationship. It’s rare to explore the life of a couple at that stage.”

To land the part, Genelia did something not many seasoned actors would do — she auditioned. “Some people say, ‘I’ve been in the industry for 20 years, why should I audition?’ But I think it’s a chance to prove yourself,” she says. “I auditioned several times because I really wanted this role.”

Working alongside Aamir Khan, she says, was its own learning curve. “He’s not someone who gives lectures on acting — you learn just by watching him,” she says. “I never saw him eat alone or stay away from the crew. And he has this no-phone rule on set — so everyone’s actually present. That makes a huge difference.”

No airs, no filters — just a grounded actor making a grounded comeback.