Bollywood choreographer Geeta Kapur, popularly known as Geeta Maa, may have turned 52, but she continues to challenge conventions—both on and off the dance floor. Unmarried and childless by choice, Geeta earned the maternal title from her students, a label later embraced by fans across the country.Now, she is once again in the spotlight—not for choreography, but for a candid statement on intimacy and self-awareness that sparked widespread debate. After facing backlash for her comment on masturbation, Geeta has spoken at length, questioning why a woman’s age, identity or public image is often used to police her personal feelings and choices.
‘People put me on a pedestal I never asked for’
Addressing the controversy, Geeta acknowledged that her remarks unsettled many because of the image associated with her.She told Hindi Rush, “Lekin mujhe lagta hai problem yeh hai ki log mujhe ek pedestal par rakh dete hain—jaise meri zindagi mein kuch ‘normal’ ho hi nahi sakta. Aapne mujhe ek darja de diya hai, jo maine kabhi maanga nahi. I am just a normal human being.” (The problem is that people put me on a pedestal, as if nothing normal can exist in my life. You’ve given me a status I never asked for. I am just a normal human being.)
‘Main alag kyun hoon?’
Geeta questioned why she is expected to be different from anyone else simply because of her public persona.“Agar main bolun ki subah uthti hoon, brush karti hoon, washroom jaati hoon—yeh sab kya koi aur nahi karta? Dal-chawal main bhi khaati hoon, aap bhi khaate ho. Toh difference kya hai?” (If I say I wake up, brush my teeth, use the washroom—doesn’t everyone do that? I eat dal-chawal, you eat dal-chawal. What’s the difference?)She said her point was never about shock value.“Main sirf yeh keh rahi hoon ki main koi alag insaan nahi hoon. Feelings sabke paas hoti hain. Hum bas unko alag-alag naam dete hain—koi wellness bolta hai, koi kuch aur.” (I’m only saying I’m not different. Everyone has feelings—we just give them different names.)
Geeta stands by her statement
Clarifying her earlier remark, Geeta stressed that assumptions were made where none were stated.“Jab aapne mujhse sawaal poocha, maine yeh nahi kaha ki main karti hoon. Maine sirf yeh kaha—what makes you think I don’t?” (When you asked me, I never said I do it. I only said—what makes you think I don’t?)She stood by her statement firmly.“Aur agar koi karta bhi hai toh usme burai kya hai? Agar kiya bhi, toh kya? Kya aap nahi karte? Kya koi aur nahi karta?” (And even if someone does it, what’s wrong? If I did, so what? Don’t you? Doesn’t anyone else?)Questioning societal discomfort, she said, “Phir hum itna awkward behave kyun karte hain? Sirf wahi baatein achhi hoti hain jo humein sunni hoti hain?” (Why do we behave so awkwardly? Are only the things we want to hear considered acceptable?)Driving home her larger point, Geeta said people exaggerate differences unnecessarily.“Main kisi se alag nahi hoon. Do pair mere bhi hain, do kaan mere bhi hain, do aankhen meri bhi hain. Kisi ki eyesight achhi hoti hai, kisi ki nahi—bas wahi difference hai.” (I’m not different from anyone. I have two legs, two ears, two eyes—just like everyone else. Differences are minor.)
On social media outrage and choice
Reacting to online criticism, Geeta said she refuses to be consumed by negativity.“Aaj logon ke haath mein power hai—phone hai, comments karne ka option hai. Logon ke paas bohot time hai. I don’t care,” she said. (People have power today—phones, comment sections, too much time. I don’t care.)She added, “Aapko pasand hai toh dekhiye, nahi pasand hai toh aage badhiye. Follow, unfollow—har kisi ke paas option hai.” (If you like it, watch it. If you don’t, move on. Follow or unfollow—everyone has a choice.)“Aapko apni opinion express karne ka haq hai. Mujhe us opinion ko na sunne ka haq hai.” (You have the right to express your opinion. I have the right not to listen to it.)
On relationships and companionship
Speaking about her personal life and the constant curiosity around her marital status, Geeta said the question no longer bothers her.“Birthday aa raha hai, log poochte hain—koi partner aayega kya? Yeh sawaal mujhe saalon se poocha ja raha hai,” she said. (My birthday is coming up and people keep asking if there will be a partner.)She concluded, “Mere liye companionship zyada important hai. Friendship zyada important hai. Aayega toh aayega, nahi aayega toh bhi theek hai. It doesn’t matter anymore.” (For me, companionship and friendship matter more. If someone comes, fine. If not, that’s fine too.)
