Mumbai, India (BBN)-Bollywood star Salman Khan extended the persona of his onscreen character Bajrangi Bhaijaan from the Kabir Khan film in real-life on Monday when he said he would like to meet 23-year-old Geeta, who has been stranded in Pakistan for 15 years.
Geeta is believed to have mistakenly crossed into Pakistani territory as a child, reports the Hindustan Times.
She was 7-8 years old when she was found by the Pakistan Rangers 15 years ago from Lahore railway station, according to reports from Pakistan.
She has got a fresh lease of hope after the success of Bajrangi Bhaijaan, where Salman plays an Indian guy who helps a little girl reach her home in Pakistan.
When asked whether he had tried to help Geeta, Salman said he would have got involved but the government is already looking into the matter. “… Government is looking into it. And they are competent and should take this forward. If she agrees and they find her rightful parents, this should definitely be done.”
He, however, said that once Geeta is back in India and wants to meet him, “I would definitely meet her”.
Talking to reporters on the success of his cross-border drama, which earned Rs 300 crore at the box-office, Salman said he was happy that Geeta was being looked after well in Pakistan.
“I am not very clear. I am aware of some history. Like 15 years ago, she reached Pakistan in a train. Before this, her parents did not try to claim her? No FIRs were filed? I think some NGO from Pakistan is involved. We should leave it to the girl and thank the NGO of Pakistan and the foster parents, who supported her all these years and gave her a good life,” he said.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj recently said that the government will bring back Geeta.
Four families from different parts of the country have claimed Geeta to be their child.
When journalists asked him about his recent controversial tweets on Yakub Memon, Salman sidestepped the question saying “there would be a better time to talk about it”, adding he would love to speak on the issue but right now he wanted to focus on Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
BBN/SK/AD