The tag ‘single and ready to mingle’ is no longer applicable to Jeet. The Tolly hearthrob is getting hitched in two weeks’ time and the lucky girl is Lucknow-based schoolteacher Mohna Ratlani. t2 caught up with Jeet on his saat phere plans...

It’s a little surprising that you’ve settled for an arranged marriage...

I wasn’t always very keen on an arranged marriage. I’ve had quite a few relationships, including one with someone from the industry, but things didn’t work out and then I left it to my parents to choose the girl because parents always want the best for us.

Aren’t you apprehensive about how it’s all going to work out?

No, I think it’s going to be quite adventurous. I know Mohna now... not completely but a little bit. We have been in touch since June 2010. It’s fun because there will be a lot more to discover about one another, unlike in a love marriage. Arranged marriages are interesting because there’s a lot to be done and shared post-marriage.

Do you worry that Mohna may have problems adjusting to your profession?

There will be so many things new to her. We’ve discussed my profession and she has seen a few of my films and she respects my profession. She is my critic too, she is prompt in telling me what she dislikes about my movies. That’s good. I believe wives can be very good critics! I am sure she would be able to understand that I am an actor. She might not like a few things but I know she will eventually accept them because this is my profession. Besides, my marriage will be based on trust and honesty. The rest I leave to destiny.... Mohna and I have a lot in common, minus my profession. Like me, she too comes from a business family... Mohna’s father is into printing... and we have the same kind of background.

Have you discussed your previous relationships with Mohna?

Yes, of course. I know that someday she will come to know about them. An actor’s life is so exposed. There are so many people to tell her about my past.

How did the alliance happen?

There’s a lady in Lucknow who is revered by the people there. She is connected to my sister’s in-laws. It’s she who suggested that I should marry Mohna. She said we were meant to be together. Not that I went blindly by what she said, but when I met Mohna I really liked her. I was bowled over by her simplicity! She fit the bill of the kind of girl I wanted as my life partner. We’ve discussed each other’s backgrounds, likes and dislikes.... I mostly met her at restaurants. Our first date was at a star hotel in Lucknow, near the swimming pool (smiles).

Will you be open to her joining films?

I don’t think she will ever wish to or has any inclination towards it. But time will tell. I can’t answer this question now.

You’ve played a groom on screen quite a few times. What are your feelings before tying the knot for real?

Oh yes, I have played the groom in about 10 films! In fact, I did an entire film on marriage — Subhodrishti. I am currently under pre-marriage pressure, the kind that everybody goes through! I have bought a T-shirt, which has pictures of a newly married couple. The wife is all smiles, while the husband next to her is sulking! (Laughs out loud.) It’s difficult to express my feelings.

Tell us about your wedding plans...

We will have a traditional Sindhi wedding on February 24 at Nicco Park’s Wet ‘’ Wild. We are working on a theme. Narendra Kumar will design my trousseau. Shantanu Goenka will design Mohna’s and my outfits for the reception at ITC Sonar on February 26. I will take a 10-day break after the wedding. We might go abroad for the honeymoon. The place hasn’t been finalised yet.

Finally, why did you call a press meet to announce your wedding?

Because I owe a lot to the media. They have supported me for all the films that I have done so far. Aar ei cinema-ta amar jibone ekbari hobe!