'I am still the same Genelia!'

Genelia D'Souza talks about life as a mother and the possibility of returning to Bollywood.

 

Photograph: Pradeep Bandekar

Genelia D'Souza made her first public appearance as a mother at a promotional event in Mumbai on Tuesday.

D'Souza is married to actor Riteish Deshmukh and the couple welcomed their first child, a son, Riaan on November 26.

Rajul Hegde caught up with the former actress:

So what kind of mom are you?

I can tend to micromanage. I like to do everything myself so by evening I am exhausted. But I love it!

Being a mother is very rewarding.

I realise only now how little I thanked my mother for all that she did for me.

Do you consult your mom and mom-in law for baby tips?

Of course I do.

But at the end I also trust my instinct.

My mom says that I will know what my child wants.

My mother-in-law says that no mother is a bad mother; everyone wants to do their best.

I guess that's the best advice.

How have you changed after becoming a mum?

When I married Riteish a lot of people asked me what had changed; I still get asked that even now.

But I am still the same Genelia so many of you have known.

I would like Riaan to grow up knowing that his mother has always been a bubbly girl because that is who I am.

Photograph: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com

And how is Ritesh as a father?

Ritesh is a great dad.

I am really thankful to have a husband like him who doesn't think that it's just my job (to raise a child).

He also enjoys it a lot.

He has shared all the responsibilities -- right from changing diapers to giving Riaan a bath.

He is up with me in the nights when Riaan is unable to sleep.

During my pregnancy, he was very busy so he'd promised to make up for it by ensuring he'd be there for me during the delivery and after.

Do you miss being in the limelight? Are you planning to make a come back?

I am neither missing the limelight nor do I regret anything.

Whatever has happened in my life were my decisions.

I have now stepped out for an event after a year or so.

I never plan anything.

I chose to be away from the limelight.

But now I think I am ready to make a comeback in Bollywood.

Are you okay with your son being photographed?

I think he is too young right now to be taken out in public right now but when we do, I don't think we would have any issues with him being photographed.

As a celebrity mom is there any pressure on you to look fit post-delivery?

What do you think!?! There's so much pressure from you folks (laughs)!

Pregnancy is that one time in your life when you can become as fat as you want and no one can say anything to you.

Having said that I think I had a great time being pregnant and post-pregnancy.