Exclusive: I want my kids to see that their mother also chose to pursue her passion: Geeta Basra

Eight years after she quit acting to pursue domestic bliss, Geeta Basra – who was last seen in the B-town flick Second Hand Husband in 2015 – will return to films in Pavan Wadeyar’s next.
The project, which is also Pavan’s entry into Bollywood and is titled Notary, stars Parambrata Chattopadhyay as the male protagonist, while Geeta plays his leading lady. “When I quit acting after marrying Bhajji (cricketer Harbhajan Singh), I was clear that I wanted to be hands-on at home, including with my kids. Now, I finally feel ready to return to work,” shares Geeta.

The actor says she was clear that the subject had to not only pique her curiosity, but also be one that she is comfortable taking up, given that she is also a wife and mother. “Notary is an interesting subject and Shabbir, its maker, is a good friend, who I’ve known for over 15 years. We’ve never had a chance to collaborate and when he brought this film to me, it felt just right to make a comeback. I’m also aware that Pavan Wadeyar has made some hit films down south,” avers Geeta.
She adds, “So, right from a girl who is in college to her heading into marriage and being her lawyer husband’s backbone, my role has varied shades. It’s not as simple as it sounds, because she truly embodies strength and is made of sterner stuff. I could relate to it very well,” states the actor.

The film will take off in September and Geeta speaks of how her husband is extremely excited for her to return to the movies. “Bhajji is now retired, so he has the time to help out with the kids. Hinaya and Jovan are equally attached to him and my mother will be here to lend support. More importantly, while I’m always there for them, I want my kids to see that their mother also chose to pursue her passion,” sums up Geeta.

Geeta was our first and only choice: Pavan Wadeyar

Pavan Wadeyar is in Bhopal on a recce, where the film will be wholly shot. “Right from the start, we were clear that we wanted Geeta Basra for the film. She plays Parambrata’s wife and is a woman who runs her own business from home. She is the one who provides financial support to her husband, who is a man who just cannot lie. The role will inspire many women,” points out Pavan.