Stepping into a woman’s shoes

Mona 

Munda Hi Chahida is a common refrain, a pressure that a woman bears through along with countless others. What happens when a man carries that burden? Expect fireworks!

Harish Verma steps into the shoes of a woman, who in want of a son, decides to ‘get pregnant’. Add to it that his wife is pregnant too; there are plenty of situations comic and sad  in the film Munda Hi Chahida. A day prior to the release, Harish Verma admits candidly that he is a bundle of nerves. That the role was written and the film conceived keeping him in mind furthers the pressure. 

The film, that he considers a significant milestone in his career, left him with an added dose of huge respect for womenfolk. “Just the act made me realise why they say ‘a woman is born again when she gives birth’.” Carrying the artificial bump around, Harish had a hard time walking, sitting, and trying to put the emotions across. He states, “I can never  imagine how women go through all that along with the added pressure of societal expectations to bear a son.”

The film that deals with such a grave topic has been dealt with sensitively in a light-hearted manner, and the fact that sex ratio is going up in Punjab is where Harish sees the ray of hope. “In my theatre days, we would ponder over the issue and present it; while it’s heartening that things are out to change with sex ratio taking an upswing, it’s still not enough.”

Reel versus real Rubina

Joining him in this journey is the pretty Rubina Bajwa, “I was last to come on board,” she confesses, looking lovely in white. Playing a mother to two kids this early in her career did not bother Rubina, for it was a cause she was invested in. “When I was born, my dad welcomed me, it was my masi and nani who were appalled, ek hor ho gayi (one more girl) — their grouse. Things are not bad in Punjab alone but so is the state in Canada.” 

Three sisters and a brother (youngest), things have changed in her family since then. “Masi is real proud now, and so was nani,” reveals the actor who insists, “being pregnant or being mum is totally okay for there are plenty of young, pretty mothers around.”

That her elder sister Neeru Bajwa is one of the producers of the film, how is the working equation between the two? “At work, we are very professional, but that aside we are sisters first.” As for living under the shadow of her famous, successful sister, “Well, due credit to my sister, she is my favourite actress too, I am on my own journey and loving every bit of it!”