As the Bollywood actress Geeta Basra ties the knot with Indian cricketer-beau Harbhajan Singh today, we take you through their eight-year fairytale romance

Geeta Basra may have had an uneventful Bollywood career - she debuted with 'Dil Diya Hai' (2006) and followed it up with 'The Train' (2007), both opposite Emraan Hashmi - but she stayed in news as cricketer Harbhajan Singh's special someone. After an eight-year courtship, the couple ties the knot today at Phagwara, near Bhajji's hometown Jalandhar in Punjab.

A beauty pageant winner, Geeta hails from Portsmouth in England where her parents run a convenience store. Bhajji and Geeta's love story began in 2007 when she was introduced to him through a common associate at an event. They clicked, but had to be discrete. At that time, Geeta had big Bollywood dreams, but after her films didn't work at the box office, she decided to concentrate on her personal life.


Geeta Basra at her mehendi ceremony on Tuesday

Quiet entry
In 2008, Harbhajan took part in a dance reality show called 'Ek Haseena, Ek Khiladi'. Telly actress Mona Singh was the cricketer's dance partner and they even went on to win it. When in Mumbai for the show's promotions, the cricketer was put up at a five-star hotel in Bandra. Eyebrows were raised when Geeta was spotted arriving at the hotel to meet Bhajji. At that time, Geeta stuck to her "just good friends" claim and hung out with him along with a bunch of common friends.


Harbhajan Singh's Jalandhar house dolled up for the wedding.

In 2010, Geeta was spotted hovering around Film City Studios on the set of the dance reality show, 'Zara Nachke Dikha' for which the cricketer had been shooting the final episode as a celebrity guest. Harbhajan and his fellow teammate Irfan Pathan, who was also a guest on the show, were in one vanity van. After a while, Irfan stepped out and Geeta went in.

When SRK took note
At an IPL awards ceremony hosted by Shah Rukh Khan, the star had some fun at Harbhajan's expense when he asked: "Bhajji apka ghar kab Basra hai?" While the latter couldn't stop blushing, SRK hurled another googly at him: "Gita ki kasam kha kar kaho!"

Opening up
In 2012, the couple stepped out at the Formula 1 race at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida and post that, Geeta started accompanying her beau to IPL bashes hosted by Mukesh and Nita Ambani at Antilla. They would also be spotted dining out with Sachin Tendulkar whenever Bhajji was in town.


Harbhajan Singh and Geeta Basra during their sangeet ceremony on Tuesday. The wedding will take place at Phagwara near Bhajji's hometown, Jalandhar

Music on my mind
In 2012, Geeta was keen to get Bhajji hooked to the Romanian band, Deepside Deejays, of which she is a big fan. The group's tracks including Beautiful Days, Get Shaky and remixed versions of Don't Say It's Over and Never Be Alone are always on Geeta's playlist. She was also keen that he accompany her to one of their concerts this month.

Big step
Bhajji did a cameo in 'Second Hand Husband' starring Geeta. The film, which released in July this year, had Geeta looking for true love. When she finds the man, the camera pans towards (no prizes for guessing) Harbhajan Singh.

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Near misses
Sir Vivian Richards and Neena Gupta
They shared an unconventional relationship as he was married at that time. They had a brief relationship, following which Neena gave birth to their daughter, Masaba, who is a popular designer today.

Yuvraj Singh and Kim Sharma

The two were together for quite a long time, leading to rumours about them having secretly married. However, the couple split due to differences and went on to have other affairs.

Zaheer Khan and Isha Sharvani

They had their share of ups and downs during their eight-year relationship. Stories about them calling it quits and then patching up and getting married surfaced on several occasions. However, the couple eventually split to concentrate on their respective careers.

Sourav Ganguly and Nagma
The former Indian captain apparently met the actress in London in 1999 and love blossomed. In 2001, reports claimed that the two had tied the knot after they were spotted at a temple.