Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh Pledge to Donate Organs

Actors Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh have pledged to donate their organs, receiving gratitude from the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) for this noble act.

Riteish shared a heartfelt video on Instagram where the couple discussed their decision to donate organs, a choice they had considered for a long time. They emphasized that there can be no “greater gift to someone than ‘The Gift Of Life’.” In his post, Riteish wrote, “There is no greater gift to someone than ‘The Gift Of Life’. @geneliad & me have pledged to donate our organs. We urge you all to join this great cause and be part of ‘The Life AfterLife’.”

In the video, Riteish said, “Aaj 1st July ko hum ye kehna chahte hain aur aapko ye batana chaahte hain ki hum dono ne ek pledge liya hai… (Today, on July 1 we want to tell you about something that we have pledged), we have decided to donate our organs.” Genelia added, “Yes, we have pledged to donate our organs and for us, there’s no better gift than the gift of life.”

NOTTO expressed gratitude on their official X handle, stating, “Thanks to Riteish Deshmukh & Genelia, the Bollywood star couple for pledging to donate their organs during the ongoing organ donation month of July. Their gesture will motivate others also to connect with the noble cause. #organdonation #Bollywood #savelives”

On the work front, Riteish Deshmukh will soon be seen alongside Sonakshi Sinha and Saqib Saleem in the film ‘Kakuda’. The recently released trailer showcases a promising storyline filled with humor and horror. ‘Kakuda’ follows the story of Sunny, played by Saqib Saleem, who marries Indira, portrayed by Sonakshi Sinha. The couple moves to the village of Ratodi, where they encounter the curse of ‘Kakuda.’ Sunny’s life is threatened by a ghost, leading Indira to seek help from Victor, an eccentric ghost hunter played by Riteish Deshmukh.

Riteish expressed his excitement about the film, stating, “I’m thrilled to be a part of the quirky and eccentric world of ‘Kakuda’. Playing the role of Victor, an unconventional ghost hunter, allowed me to tap into a side of my acting abilities that I hadn’t fully explored before. Blending horror and comedy is a delicate balance, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside such talented co-stars like Sonakshi Sinha and Saqib Saleem. ‘Kakuda’ takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, leaving you both laughing and scared.”

Saqib Saleem added, “While theatrical releases have their charm, OTT platforms offer an incredible opportunity to connect with more masses. The film’s quirky and intriguing storyline about solving the mystery of a ferocious ghost and a cursed village’s haunting ritual is what initially drew me in. Of course, the chance to work with talented actors like Sonakshi Sinha & Riteish Deshmukh was another major reason I said yes. We had an absolute blast on set, and I’m confident our comedic chemistry will leave viewers in stitches. I can’t wait for everyone to experience the spine-chilling laughter that ‘Kakuda’ promises to deliver.”

Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, ‘Kakuda’ will be available on ZEE5 from July 12.