There’s a saying that while we may not always get what we want, we’ll always receive what we need. This was particularly true in the case of Aditya Kashyap and Geet Dhillon. When Jab We Met released in 2007, there was of course much anticipation considering the whole are-they-aren’t-they conversation regarding Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor’s relationship.
However, nobody could have possibly predicted the stunning success that the film enjoyed. Having had a fairly decent opening, the film’s collections soared instantly following word-of-mouth praise and reviews which called Jab We Met a turning point in the careers of the two lead actors.
11 years later, the film is still remembered as one of the best romantic stories to have come out of Bollywood. We fondly recall the genuine and sparkling chemistry between Bebo and Shahid, the peppy songs and the feel-good vibe that it left us with but above all, we remember Geet and her antics.
Kareena’s portrayal of the bubbly, talkative Punjabi girl was all anybody could talk about for days. While she did make us LOL many times, Geet left us with certain life lessons. We catalogue them below:
Be kind, everyone is fighting a battle they don’t talk about
When Geet meets Aditya, he is terribly heartbroken and even considers suicide. His girlfriend has just married another man and he appears to be facing issues in his professional life. True to the mysterious ways of the Universe, Geet enters his life on a train he hadn’t even planned to take. And she makes an effort to understand him and to engage him in conversation. Sure, she is annoying as hell but she senses that Aditya is bothered and hurt and does everything she can to help a random stranger.
Moving on from a relationship that didn’t work out
Aditya’s heart is in pieces and yet, he carries a picture of his ex-flame inside his wallet. Geet urges him to burn it and then flush it down the toilet. Super childish, right? But the burning of the photograph is just a metaphor. One of the toughest things you can do in life is to let go of people you’re still in love with but it’s a necessity.
Main Apni Favourite Hoon
Ah, the dialogue that sparked a thousand Instagram captions. Nobody could have delivered this line with the same zest and verve that Kareena did – after all, she is a walking-talking guide on how to love yourself more. Because at the end of the day, if you don’t love yourself, how are you going to love anyone else?
That sometimes life doesn’t work your way and it’s not okay but you’ve got to deal with it
Geet did everything ‘right’ – she’s bubbly, brave, nice, kind and unafraid to flaunt her heart on her sleeve in a world that is so afraid of the word ‘relationship’ and ‘commitment’. She fought for her love, ‘attracted’ all the good things into her life (yes, we’re looking at you, Rhonda Byrne) and yet, her love story didn’t quite work out the way she wanted it to. When Aditya discovers Geet nine months later, she is a sad shadow of herself but is soldiering on and making the most of her circumstances.
And that when that douchebag comes back (like they always do), be brave enough to put yourself first
It’s something we all desire – that moment when an ex comes back into your life with apologies and tears and poems about how they miss you and love you. You’re probably still in love with them and it’s easy to forget all the people who were there for you when you were at your worst. It’s so tempting to forget the hurt and the pain and the absolute disaster you were when they pulled a number on you. But at the end of the day, no matter how much she loved Anshuman, Geet was always Geet’s favourite and she put herself first. As should you. Something better is coming your way and you better believe it.
