Born on August 5, 1987, Genelia D`Souza (now Deshmukh), is a complete `Mumbai chi porgi` (a Mumbaikar), a Marathi-speaking Christian from North Konkan. (All photos/mid-day archives and Genelia D`Souza`s official Instagram account)

Raised in Bandra, Genelia studied at the Apostolic Carmel High School in Bandra and later joined St. Andrew`s College in Bandra to pursue her Bachelor`s degree in Management Studies

Genelia D`Souza completed her graduation while shooting for her first film, Tujhe Meri Kasam in 2003. She shared screen space with Riteish Deshmukh, whom she married in 2012

Well, career-wise, Genelia initially thought that an MNC job would suit her, however, destiny had its own plans

Genelia D`Souza liked sports and studies in college. In fact, you would be surprised to know that she was a state-level athlete, sprinter, and a national level football player

Genelia did her first modelling assignment at the age of 15 and it wouldn`t be wrong to say that films were a by-product of modelling that happened when she was spotted as a bridesmaid at a wedding

Genelia D`Souza had gained wide attention in a Parker Pen commercial with Amitabh Bachchan before she stepped into the world of Bollywood.

Genelia D`Souza married Riteish Deshmukh in 2012. Riteish, who too made his debut with Tujhe Meri Kasam, had shared a story from the film`s set, a while ago. He said, `Genelia didn`t speak to me for the first two days during the shoot of the film because my father was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra then. The first thing Genelia asked me was `Where is your security?`. I replied `I don`t have any`

Those close to Riteish Deshmukh always knew that he would eventually get married to her. Genelia D`Souza was the first girl he invited home to meet his parents

At the time, Riteish Deshmukh`s family had reservations about him bringing in a non-Maratha bahu but they saw that their son was serious. Riteish had made it clear that his choice was Genelia, who he calls Genes lovingly

Both families met and after a nine-year-long relationship, Riteish-Genelia finally tied the knot on February 3, 2012. They have two sons. The couple`s first child, a son named Riaan, was born in 2014, while their second son, Rahyl, was born in 2016

Talking about Genelia D`Souza Deshmukh`s fitness secret, if you think the mantra to getting a sexy figure is to slog it out in a gym and follow a strict diet, think again. Genelia`s fitness formula is super impressive

In an interview with mid-day, Genelia revealed, `The idea of exercising in a close and limited area irritates me. I can`t exercise in such a condition for a long time. In my house I have only a treadmill and a yoga mat, that`s it`

`I have been an out-and-out sports person during my school and college days. I was an athlete, a state-level basketball and hockey player. I was also a part of the national football team. And so my idea of burning calories is on the playground and not inside a gym.` And Genie doesn`t even have to watch what she eats. `But I love home-cooked food and so I eat everything that is made in my house. There is no special fruit or soup diet prepared for me in the kitchen,` quipped Genelia

Well, Genelia Deshmukh even established herself in Telugu cinema by acting in several Telugu films from 2003 to 2012. In fact, she even received her first Filmfare Award in 2006 for her performance in the Telugu romantic film, Bommarillu, which earned her critical acclaim

Genelia Deshmukh`s performance in 2008`s Santosh Subramaniam, a Tamil remake of Bommarillu, was lauded by critics. In the same year, her Bollywood movie Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na had become one of the super-hit films of the year. She is still being remembered as the `Jaane Tu` girl!

`Every girl has a certain perception of how she would want her life partner to be... I honestly didn`t. I had this most amazing partner who was my bestest friend, who was the shoulder I always found when I needed to cry and who made me believe that no matter how tough life is, with us being partners we would take it on, in any form, in any way. That`s the man I eventually married and he never ever stopped being the reason for my smile,` wrote Genelia Deshmukh, through one her social media posts

Hey Genelia, here`s wishing you a very happy birthday! Stay the way you are - just full of life!