Roshna Ali (BOMBAY TIMES; November 29, 2019)

Cricketer Harbhajan Singh and wife, actress Geeta Basra were in Hyderabad for an event recently. They took some time off their packed schedule to regale the team with a few heart-warming nuggets about cricket and films. While talking about their journey as a couple, they touched upon the topic of parenthood and the effect of social media on their lives. Excerpts:

Looks like you did not get your daughter Hinaya along...
Harbhajan: Yes, we both travel a lot on work and we don’t always take her along. Only when we go somewhere for a few days and if there’s a weekend, we take her along with us.

How has parenthood changed the two of you?
Geeta: A lot! Hinaya has changed us in the best way possible. Both of us learned to be more patient, more understanding, and responsible for another person. She is our topmost priority now.
Harbhajan: I feel exactly the same way. No matter how tired I am, I forget all the tiredness the moment I see my daughter. Hinaya has changed me a lot, in every way.

Geeta, how would you rate Bhajji as a husband and a father?
Geeta: Oh, he’s fabulous. He is very hands-on with Hinaya, just like how my dad was with me. Seeing how he’s around Hinaya, I’m often reminded of my father and how he took care of me. I’m sure Hinaya will understand what a great dad she has when she gets older.
Harbhajan: Geeta, what about me as a husband? How much would you rate me out of 10?
Geeta: My husband is fabulous. (Harbhajan throws his arms into the air, showing signs of victory) But I would only give him nine out of 10. There should always be room for improvement, right? The only problem we both face is not having enough time together. Because of our busy schedules, we are together for just a couple of days every month. His work commitments keep him busy around the clock, but we cherish that little time we spend together. But, he is a great husband...very loving and supportive. (Harbhajan starts making faces at her and both start laughing). So nine out of 10 for both, as a father and a husband.
Harbhajan: Not bad at all. That’s a good score.

And Bhajji, how much would you rate Geeta?
Harbhajan: Abhi ye mujhe nau diye hai toh inko nine-and-half dene padenge. Vapas ghar bhi toh jaana hai. (laughs!)

As an inter-faith celebrity couple, the two of you often have to deal with online trolls. For instance, people started questioning Bhajji’s faith as a Sikh after pictures of your Karwa Chauth celebrations went viral recently...
Geeta: Everyone knows that I’m a Hindu, so I have my own customs. Besides, we have been observing these rituals since many years now. The bottomline is, you can’t make everyone happy. I don’t pay too much attention to social media trolls. I don’t think he (Harbhajan) pays any attention to them either.
Harbhajan: Not at all. I don’t even look at it.
Geeta: Exactly! It’s our life and we live it the way we want to. Everybody is sure to have their own thoughts on how to live their life. We both have our faiths and respect each other’s beliefs.

The recent reopening of the Kartarpur corridor was an emotional moment for Sikhs all over India. Bhajji, you made the trip across the border and visited the Gurudwara there. How was the experience?
H: I was very touched. It was my father’s dream to go visit Nankana Saheb. He even made a passport, but he couldn’t go in the end. Jo unka sapna tha, wo mere zariye poora hua. Mujhe lagta hai ki ek bulawa hota hai, jiske bina insaan darshan ke liye nahi jaa sakta. I feel blessed that I got that calling. I went there and got the opportunity to see his resting place.
G: We are now planning to go there together next time. I have never been there.