Aamir Khan visits Geeta Phogat''s residence on wedding day

Balali (Haryana), November 20

Aamir Khan, who essays the role of Geeta Phogat's father Mahavir Singh in upcoming "Dangal", visited the wrestler's house here and wished her a happy married life.

The face of women's wrestling in India, Geeta is all set to marry fellow wrestler Pawan Kumar tonight in a ceremony in Dadri.

Aamir looked his part as the "ladkiwala" in his white kurta pajama, black bundi and red safa. He was accompanied by actress Sakshi Tanwar, director Nitesh Tiwari and Sanya Malhotra as he handed out gifts to the bride-to-be.

Aamir said he wanted to gift Geeta the wedding ensemble but was told that according to rituals it is supposed to come from her maternal uncle's side.

"Yes, I was supposed to give it to her but I was told that it comes from her mama's side. But I have just given her a small token of love from the team of 'Dangal'. Hope she likes them. But the greatest gift to them is the film itself.

"It is a very joyous occasion for us. It is her wedding day. Our heartiest congratulations to her. We pray that the couple have a happy married life," Aamir said.

Geeta, who won India's first ever gold in women's wrestling (in the 55 kg freestyle category) at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, said, "I can't believe that he came. It is my biggest gift."

The Phogat residence was crammed with around 500 guests who came to wish Geeta as well as catch a glimpse of Aamir, who was welcomed with a resounding applause.

Some even complained to the star, saying they are disappointed that the film, which is a story of Haryana, was shot in Punjab.

"We shot in Punjab because of technical and creative requirements. But when you watch the film you will see that there is no difference, "Aamir said.

Talking about the wrestling drama, Aamir said, "Mahavir's story is an inspiration to all. That's why Nitesh wrote this story. Wrestling is the oldest sport. I watch wrestling on TV and I wish I could also join them in the fights."

While Nitesh added, "I wrote the story after Geeta's win at CWG."

Aamir signed off with a dialogue from the film, "Mari choriya choro se kam hain Kay? (My daughters are no less than sons")

Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Sana Shaikh are playing Aamir's on-screen daughters in "Dangal" while Sakshi plays his wife.

The film releases on December 23.

‘Not affected by demonetisation’

Aamir said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation did not affect him at all.

"I had to face no trouble because all my money is in the bank and payments are through cheques," the 51-year-old actor said.

"We (celebrities) are scared to say anything. Whatever we say it's taken in another direction," Khan said.

Bollywood has been divided over the move but most o celebrities — including Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwrya Rai-Bachchan — have supported the move.

However, the decision has affected some movies that were released in the past two weeks. — PTI