On June 18, 2025, actress Genelia Deshmukh, in an interview with Siddharth Kannan in Mumbai, dismissed bizarre 2012 rumours claiming she accidentally married co-star John Abraham during the filming of their 2011 action film Force. The speculation alleged a real Hindu priest conducted authentic wedding rituals on set, including mantras, garlands, mangalsutra, and seven pheras, leading to a legal marriage. Genelia called the story “baseless” and PR-driven, clarifying no such marriage occurred.
In This Article:
The Rumour’s Origin
The controversy emerged during Force’s production, directed by Nishikant Kamat and produced by Vipul Shah. A wedding scene between Genelia and John, intended for cinematic authenticity, featured a real priest, Pandit Bhagwat Guruji, who later claimed he performed a legitimate ceremony. Reports from 2011, suggested the priest continued chanting mantras despite the director’s “cut” calls, stopping only before the seventh phera. The pandit allegedly demanded compensation to stay silent, fueling speculation. Shah clarified Genelia’s Christian faith rendered Hindu rituals inapplicable, dismissing publicity stunt allegations.
Genelia’s Firm Denial
In her 2025 interview, Genelia, known for Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na, shut down the narrative. “There was no truth to it. We didn’t get married. These stories were spread by PR, and I think you should ask them why they did it,” she stated, emphasizing neither she nor John fueled the buzz
Life Beyond the Rumour
Genelia married Riteish Deshmukh in 2012, and the couple has two sons, Riaan and Rahyl. John Abraham wed Priya Runchal in 2014. Genelia took a 10-year acting hiatus post-marriage, returning with the 2022 Marathi hit Ved, directed by Riteish. She stars next in Sitaare Zameen Par with Aamir Khan, releasing June 20, 2025. Reflecting on her break, she told Zoom, “I stepped away for 10 years because I wanted to. My happiness matters most.”
Genelia’s dismissal of the Force marriage rumour exposes the pitfalls of PR-driven sensationalism. The 14-year-old story, now laid to rest, underscores her focus on authenticity and family. Catch her interview on Siddharth Kannan’s YouTube channel for the full story.
-By Manoj H