The Bandit Queens

Geeta’s loan group consists of sisters Priya and Priety, Saloni, and Geeta herself, as well as Farah. One day, Farah has not shown up, and it is decided that Geeta will cover Farah’s share of the payment. Since Geeta has no husband or children, she can more easily shoulder the burden than the others. Geeta’s husband, Ramesh, disappeared five years prior, and the village is rife with rumors that Geeta herself killed him.

Farah later arrives at Geeta’s house, bearing a gourd as an apology. Farah’s eye is blackened, and Geeta well knows the story. Farah’s husband has stolen the money she makes from her dress shop and has beaten her in the process. Farah’s husband, like Geeta’s husband did, frequents the bootleg liquor store in the village. Farah begs Geeta to help her kill her husband. She wants to be rid of him just as Geeta was freed from Ramesh. Geeta quickly ushers her out.

Despite the rumors that circulate throughout the village, Geeta did not kill her husband. He was abusive, but there were also aspects of him that she once loved. At this point, however, she rarely thinks of him.