Preity ok being a 'bechari', than a 'bitch'

Thursday night-Friday morning, as a heavy rain lashed Mumbai, Preity Zinta slipped out, taking a flight to London and from there to places she did not want to disclose... where she had “shoots to complete, ad films to make, business meetings to attend, and a couple of other things bunched together”.

She won’t be back till October, but said she was excited to get out, I did not blame her. Since Preity’s disastrous outing at the IPL in South Africa, where I don’t know which was her greater loss – cricket or love, the press had been on her case. “I don’t deny the fact that I’m single,” she had told me then. “I’ve not spoken about my personal life and I won’t do it now. I’d rather be the bechari than the bitch!” I did not ask about Ness Wadia, instead, I asked if men hit on her again. “Sure,” Preity had replied with her dimpled smile, “all the time, but the press hits on me as well!” Then, with some josh, “But I’m the same person, with the same values, just because I’m single it does not mean I’m breaking marriages. Don’t link me with every Tom, Dick and Harry.”

Now we spoke again as she completed last minute chores, the clock throwing silent minutes into the night, taking her closer to departure time. She had spent the last three weeks in Mumbai working on Main Aur Mrs Khanna (yes, it’s Kareena Kapoor’s film, but with Preity), there’s a little bit of dubbing left, and the film is being readied for Diwali. Her other film Har Pal, with the unfortunate rape accused Shiney Ahuja, will hopefully be released by the end of the year. She has two new films on hand, but has been reading more scripts, and is also working on a cricket show for television. “It’s called Behind The Seam and is going to be a look through my eyes at cricket in South Africa. Yes, I’ve restricted myself to the IPL, but the show’s much more than that. I’m producing it. What do you mean who’s idea is it? Mine, why! My idea of cricket was different before the IPL. I thought, you held the bat, threw the ball, got applauded if you hit a six, cursed if you got out! Besides the crazy cricket fan, that’s what everyone sees. So I’ve taken people behind the scenes, where the hard work and the heartache takes place, yes, yes, I’m in it, the camera follows me everywhere in South Africa. Except into my personal life... you won’t find it even here!”

She has been making brave statements about next year’s IPL, about how she’ll be there, because she’s not just financially involved with her team, but also emotionally attached to the business of cricket now. “That’s how I am, that’s my personality, if I’m not attached, I cannot be passionate about what I’m doing,” she had said. But there are many more runs to be scored in international cricket, records to be broken, before the IPL gets down to business again. And even if she is not into cricket then, Preity Zinta will always be an actress, so come in Bollywood! “I’m going to pull out a lot of surprises,” she promised. “This year, the films that will release will release, but now I’m excited because my career is going exactly the place I want it to go. I’ve always wanted to go in different directions and grow.

That’s why I ventured into cricket. And as an actor, I’m my own factory, I’m looking at doing films that add value to my body of work. Like The Last Lear, Heaven On Earth, Heroes... I feel so good I did them, they’re away from commercial cinema and take lesser time to make, and yet they take me to another horizon.”

But now she wants to get back to commercial cinema, she wants to be the actress that people would like to see. “Farah Khan was shooting me the other day and I had on this robe with a sexy thing underneath. I refused to take it off. Farah asked, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ And I replied, ‘Punjab Cricket Board kya sochenga?’ So, I’m looking at being the quintessential Preity Zinta again, but with an edge,” she said. I didn’t want her to lose her flight, but I had a question to ask: was she happy, finally? “As much as I can, I’m enjoying every moment of my life,” Preity replied.

“People can say what they want, the press can say what it wants, I’m not going to give five interviews to clarify... the fans judge me by the way I perform. Now I’m in my own space. I’m like a jack-in-the-box. When I’m in, I’m down. But once I’m out, I’m out!”

Hot Mallika Sherawat Videos From Murder Hot Scenes

Katrina Kaif Bikini Images

Deepika Padukone Photos And Videos

Kareena Kapoor Bikini Pics From Tashan

Hot And Sizzingly Tanushree Dutta Exposing Photos

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Preity to host a television show

It’s said to be sports-based

Even though everything is being kept under wraps, if reports are to be believed, Preity Zinta is set to make her television debut and is negotiating with a leading production house to host a sports-based show.

Preity too is refusing to talk anything about the show as the matter is still in discussion stage and she has not yet signed the deal.

However, speculations are rife that the show will be a game-based concept and Preity will be inviting her celebrity friends from the industry and also cricketers from her Kings XI Punjab team.

Hot Mallika Sherawat Videos From Murder Hot Scenes

Katrina Kaif Bikini Images

Deepika Padukone Photos And Videos

Kareena Kapoor Bikini Pics From Tashan

Hot And Sizzingly Tanushree Dutta Exposing Photos

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Preity lonesome in America

When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Ask Preity Zinta, who chose an ideal outlet for the stress built-up over work and emotional trauma. She chose to spend time by herself on a 20-day trip to LA and New York.

A source said, “Preity has been stressed out for a while now. Ever since the IPL began, she has been on her toes. Though she is the owner of Kings XI Punjab, she chose to don the role of an active team member at the beck and call of her team members. As a result, she would wake up much earlier than everyone did and go to sleep only after her team members hit the sack. Her enthusiasm cost her health and very soon she was down with a sore throat and fever.

To add to her woes, her break-up with Ness Wadia, her long-time industrialist boyfriend, started doing the rounds at the same time. Already stressed because of her broken relationship, Preity was slowly getting bogged down by the media attention. She was waiting for the right opportunity to get away from the spotlight. Once the IPL was over, she came to Mumbai to complete some paper work and meet her mother. She eventually flew off for a 20-day vacation to LA and New York on Wednesday night.”

Confident that her impromptu holiday plans would nurse her wounds and her exhausted mind, Preity is also looking forward to letting her hair down. The source added, “She’s a mature person who doesn’t want to lie low and appear like a heartbroken lover. Preity wants to enjoy life and has already planned activities like catching up on movies and attending rock concerts. This well-deserved break is also a golden opportunity for her to catch up with old friends in LA and New York, whom she hasn’t met for years.”

The dimpled actress was so kicked about her holiday plans that she even backed out of performing at an awards function.

Though Preity was unavailable for comment, her spokesperson confirmed the news. She said, “Yes, Preity has taken off on a holiday to LA and New York for 20 days. She’s been working hard and needed a break very badly

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Preity Zinta got Italy in Mumbai for Italian watch brand ad

Preity Zinta got Italy in Mumbai recently. The actress shot the ad with Neil Nitin for an Italian watch brand. Since the actress had to leave for the IPL, she could not travel to the country and so Italy was created in Kamala Mills Studio in Mumbai.

A source reveals, "Being an Italian brand, The owners wanted the ad to be shot in Italy. But Preity had to fly to South Africa for IPL. They didn't want to postpone the ad till the IPL ended and hence decided to recreate Italy in a studio in Mumbai. They sent staff from here to Italy for recce and finally recreated the set in India."

The source continues, "They also wanted to get an entire set of the Italy Gondola, but time didn't permit. The commercial was shot in exactly two days. A few Italians were flown in for that authentic feel."

GM (Marketing) Ms Shardah Uniyal confirms, "We wanted to shoot in Italy and our team had also gone to Italy but Preity had to leave for IPL and we did not want to postpone the launch, so we recreated the set in India."

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

I'll take strong action against any false rumour of my break up: Preity Zinta

Bollywood diva Preity Zinta doesn’t looks to be in a pretty mood and has lashed out at the media for spreading rumours about her so called break up with Ness Wadia. Preity writes at her blog post “It’s ridiculous how media sits and writes anything they feel like without even the decency and the journalistic norm of contacting all parties - well in advance - for their side of the story.” The actress has bluntly denied the rumor, saying the journalist who wrote the story for Mumbai Mirror tried to call her up, but after the story was already published. Preity asks “At.12.00 o’ clock, midnight (08th april 2009), I got a text message from this journo, saying ‘There’s a story about your new link-up’, and we need your comment on this.’ But when I called him back, I was told that the story was already printed and that they couldn’t do anything at that point. I was livid. So then, what was that call? And exercise in futility?” Preity writes further at her blog post “Apparently, now they’re saying that this story came about because I was cheering for Vikram Chatwal at the Fashion Week. How ridiculous is that? When I cheered for Shah Rukh Khan, then no one questioned me as to why I cheered him the most? At the LFW there were also Arjun and Mehr Rampal, Rahul Bose, Ujjwala Raut - all famous celebrities and my friends; and I cheered all of them. I cheered for all of them because the show was for Mumbai.” “I don’t like discussing this so publicly, but the point here is, I want to clarify what is right and wrong. People cannot write anything wrong about someone and get away with it. Especially about me, because I will take strong action against any false rumours or stories. I will fight against what is wrong, ” the actress writes. Not only this, Preity slammed the Bollywood media, saying the paparazzi culture of Hollywood is catching up here in Bollywood. She says, “In fact, in Hollywood the paparazzi system is really strong, but whenever there is false news, the Courts abroad are fast and quick to punish the offenders. Any false news is severely and immediately dealt with by the Courts.”

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Priety Zinta smiles during the launch of a education project at Sinton High School

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Has Preity found love again

And the alleged man is in a rocky marriage

Preity Zinta has reportedly split with her long time boyfriend Ness Wadia. Apparently, they now share only a professional relationship as partners of their IPL team, Kings X1 Punjab.

According to a Mumbai newspaper, it seems Preity has forgotten her past rather quickly and already has a new love life blooming. And, the man is New York-based businessman-hotelier Vikram Chatwal, who also seen in a brief role in the movie “Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd”.

Vikram’s marriage to former model Priya Sachdev is said to be on the rocks and they are on the verge of a split.

Vikram, who had dated some top international models before marriage in 2006, was recently quoted saying he longed to be single again.

The Preity-Vikram closeness was quite apparent during the Mai Mumbai charity fashion show organised by Vikram during the recent Lakme Fashion Week.

Preity came for the show without Ness and even cheered loudly when Vikram walked the ramp. They stayed together for the rest of the show.

Even at the post party held later that night the two were together for most of the time and were also seen enjoying each other's company.

We now await Preity’s word on this new relationship. After all, she has always been rather open about her personal life.

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Preity is overwhlemed by Dharamji

When Preity Zinta had a special screening of her film Videsh – Heaven on Earth for a select few, the surprise guest was our macho man Dharmendra, who was shyly standing in a corner and smiling at everyone who came in.

And the humble man actually strode up to the people he didn’t know and introduced himself, making easy conversation and making them comfortable. It took loads of pressure off Preity who could then focus on a few guests herself. So while she got into a serious discussion with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Dharamji had Kangna Ranaut charmed with his sweet stories.

They even discussed TV shows and what they liked watching. So cute, no? Kangna was floored by his simplicity and charm. As for Dharam, he blushed more than PZ’s and Kangna’s pink-pink cheeks put together. But like we’ve always said, once you gottit, you gottit. Gettit?

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Censor raises finger on Preity's next

Filmmaker Deepa Mehta whose forthcoming film is the Preity Zinta starrer Videsh (earlier titled Heaven on Earth), has run into a spot of trouble with the Censor Board.

During a screening session last evening, the Censor Board felt that the film shows too much violence being inflicted on Preity and consequently insisted on some cuts, which would make the film look less gory. The film is based on domestic violence.

Now, Deepa Mehta has to once again show the edited version to the Censor Board before she gets the green signal to release the film.

Deepa Mehta’s representative who was present at the screening wanted a U/A certificate, but the Censors refused to relent unless several violent scenes where Preity is battered by her husband (played by Vansh Bhardwaj) are toned down.

Vinayak Azad, Regional Officer, Censor Board, confirmed and said, “We have asked them to tone down the domestic violence scenes by 50 per cent. And we had one more objection. The film has used expletives too, which will have to be either beeped or deleted.”

“We will review the film once again after they make the cuts which we have asked for,” Azad added.
Incidentally, Preity received the Silver Hugo Award for best actress in the Feature Film Competition section at the 44th Chicago International Film Festival, for Videsh.

Preity was quite disturbed after she shot for the scenes in which she was beaten up and humiliated by Vansh. Talking about the experience of working in Videsh, Preity had said in an interview, “I remember asking a woman, who was a victim of domestic violence and had left her husband, what the turning point in her relationship was and she said, ‘I told my husband if you want to beat me, beat me in the bedroom, don’t beat me in front of the family.’ I could never understand that. It’s terrible. I really didn’t know what it was to be in a situation like this till I actually did the film.”

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Preity Zinta: I am in a content and happy space now

Preity Zinta is a Bollywood icon but when it comes to numbers, she is not part of the top three. Younger actresses like Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra have taken her place. She gives us her take on competition.

“When I entered the industry ten years ago, I said that there will always be someone younger and hungrier standing behind you to take your place. At that time, I was the younger and hungrier person. Today, I want different things. What I wanted ten years ago, I don’t want that now. There are bigger mountains for me to climb. If I start comparing myself to the younger, newer heroines, or compare what I am now to what I was ten years ago, it would be a very sad situation for me. Competition is healthy but if it depresses and worries you, you must be a very insecure person with low self esteem. I am a very secure person from within”, asserts the vivacious Miss Zinta.

Preity explains she wants different things in life now. “I want a lot of growth in other areas of my life. Even film wise, the films I want to do now are not the ones the younger girls are doing. I don’t want to sound presumptuous but I turned down a lot of these roles and other people went ahead and did them. I don’t talk about it because I don’t think it is cool. So I think as an individual who is secure within oneself, every day is a new day and once you achieve what you have aspired to achieve, you go for a higher goal, you go for a different dream. The dream and success that you have realised isn’t that sweet if you keep sticking onto it. You have to go for higher ground, to a newer dream and ambition. I am in a very happy and content space today. The films that I am doing today are very different from what I did earlier because even the actor within me has grown up. Two years ago, I was frustrated because I didn’t feel I was growing as an actor. Five years from now, I will want to achieve something else and totally different from what I want now.”

And Preity has already garnered praise for her stellar performance in the independent film Videsh: Heaven on Earth. “The film has made a lot of money abroad. Foreigners have understood the message of the film completely. I was even nominated for the Genie Awards, which is the Canadian equivalent of the Oscars, alongside Susan Sarandon, so that felt amazing. I remember at the first screening in Toronto, a famous American actress from the 70s grabbed my arm and said, “Where have you been hiding? You are such a talent!” It feels great that I have done something different and I am being appreciated for that. Now I just want people in India to like the film,” signs off the actress.

Videsh: Heaven on Earth hits Indian theatres on March 27.

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Preity is nominated for Best Actress with Susan Sarandon: Deepa Mehta

Under what name is your film releasing across the globe besides India? Across India, the film will be released with the name Videsh and in the rest of the world as Heaven On Earth. With a story so strong and its message out loud and clear, do you think a change in the name of a film really matters when it's speaking of a universal subject? I am not the distributor of the film, I am a filmmaker. If the distributor knows that the change in the name is helping the Indian audiences, I will listen to them because that's not my expertise. Jag Mundhra had shown some startling issues surrounding a Punjabi woman's plight in his film Provoked. Are we going to see your woman, Preity Zinta, going through the same torment in Videsh? I must say that Heaven on Earth or Videsh is very different from Provoked. It's like what Shakespeare said - There are three stories in the world and its how you tell them that makes one different from the other. Yes, this story is partly about domestic abuse, but for me, the film is about the power of imagination. When reality becomes so grim, how can you use your imagination to liberate yourself? That is what the film is about. The milieu is of course the isolation of the first generation working class immigrant, whether they are in the U.S, the U.K, Australia or in this case Canada because it's the first generation that suffers the most. Films are tagged as commercial, art house and world cinema. What tag fits the kind of films you make or have made over the years? This is so bizarre (laughs). I don't think I fit any of them. I just write and tell stories. Only when a film is very particular, that's the very minute it starts becoming universal. I hope my films are universal. Let's talk about your new find - Vansh Bhardwaj. Tell us a bit more about this talent. He is amazing. It's his first film. He was a lead in the play I saw, a play by Neelam Maan Singh Chowdhary. He did Girish Karnad's Naag Mandala. I was so blown away by the play that I used it in the film too with Girish's blessings. I think the theatre actors have a lot of depth and discipline. I asked Vansh if he wanted to be a part of my film and he readily agreed, and you put him with a star like Preity Zinta, nothing beats it. I must say, Preity was very generous to Vansh. The Best Actress at the Chicago Film Festival 2008 - Preity Zinta! Will she be able to surpass the best? (Laughs) I think it'll be really immodest if I said that this isn't her best performance to date and the other directors won't like me too much. But I think she is superb in the film and personally, it's a world class performance. Preity is also nominated under the Best Actress at the Genie Awards 2009 along with top international celebs, right? Yes, you're right. She is nominated for the Best Actress in a Leading Role along with Susan Sarandon. The awards are to take place next month in April. Do you agree that it rightly takes a director to suck out the best of the hidden talent from an actor in order for them to win an award on a global platform? And why can't other directors do the same? I think it's the work. It's not necessary that a director is very important. I can never forget Cher in the lovely movie Moonstruck. What a wonderful performance. Everybody was shocked that she could act like that. She also won an Academy Award for the Best Actress for Moonstruck and she went up on the stage and said, "I would like to thank my hair dresser". She didn't thank the director. It was a bit weird but what I'm trying to say is that, generally, good directors really take out wonderful performances. But for a film to do well, it isn't the director alone. It has to start from the script. What other films are you working on? I'm working on two films currently. One is a film called Exclusion with Akshay Kumar and the other is based on Sulman Rushdie's book called The Midnights Children. Any filmmaker likes commercial and critical acclaim. Are you content or hungry for more? The day I get content, I will stop making films. Contentment makes you lazy and gives you a false sense of security. If you want to make films, you need to be hungry for more. In your future projects, would you like to work with actors of your past films like Aamir, John, etc? I can't think of any right now. But I am really looking forward to be working with Akshay Kumar in my next film. I hope one day comes when I work with Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukerjee. You're a Canadian citizen. Don't you get impressed with stories from the West as well? Yeah, some of them. I just feel that I can deal with the authenticity of India and the Indians far better. It's not that I haven't done anything in the West. I have. I think to get into the western mind sets is difficult for me, not impossible, but it's not entirely satisfactory. What is it that you're trying to say with Heaven On Earth? That you can't be simplistic about it. It's out dated now that the West has a lot to offer than India. So if anybody would be able to revisit the fact that perhaps, they should not be so ready to leave home. As the character says in the film - Sometimes it's better to live in Hell than in Heaven where there is more self dignity. How did you celebrate Holi? I've got a lot of purple colour on my face from which I can't get out. It's scary because I have to attend the Press conference for the film too. I had great fun with friends and we celebrated the festival of colours with a lot of rang. You've worked with the music director A.R. Rahman before. But how about working with the Oscar winner now? (Laughs) Yes, A.R did the music for Fire, Earth and Water. I'd love to work with the Oscar winner now, you're right (laughs). He definitely deserved an Oscar. But we should never ever forget that he has always been a brilliant music director and just because the West has recognised him doesn't mean that he is more recognised now Sum up your film Videsh in one word please. Videsh is a celebration of the imagination.

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Daredevil Zinta's back in business!

“Sometimes in life, you have small mountains to climb and small fears to conquer,” states actress-cum-entrepreneur Preity Zinta. No, she didn’t

expound these words of wisdom at a philosophical meet; on the contrary, the bubbly Preity was talking about her first-time experience at bungee-jumping and sky-diving! The always-full-of-life actress was in New Zealand last week for the India-New Zealand cricket matches, and she’s come back super excited. No, not just because India won but because of the mind-blowing adventure sports she did there, courtesy, she says, New Zealand Tourism.

“This has been a complete action-packed, adrenaline-pumping trip,” says an excited Preity, as she talks of her sporting encounters in the adventure capital of the world. For not only did she take the gigantic leap from the 47 metre-high Waikato River Valley, but she also indulged in sky-diving and the heart-pounding Huka Jet Boat ride. “I have always wanted to do bungee-jumping, but somehow never got the chance before. So it was literally a dream come true for me,” says Preity. Her only thoughts as she was being strapped on, she says, were of all the Indian Gods! “There are certain moments in your life when you think of your whole life in two seconds... this was one of those moments. My heart was pumping so fast with excitement, and then suddenly I went blank. I had no thoughts. I just knew I had to jump!”

Although the daredevil Preity isn’t scared of heights, she admits she is, er was, scared of water. But after taking the Jet Boat ride, that too is a thing of the past. “After doing the bungee-jump, the Jet Boat was a piece of cake,” she laughs. Ask her to sum up her free fall experience and she tells us that “it’s an inexplicable high. Bungee-jumping goes well with my theory on life, that when you’re down, the only place you can go is up!”

What also made the entire experience more special was the place — besides the fact that both the bungee-jump and the Jet Boat were invented in New Zealand, Preity shares a special connection with the country. “My first major commercial hit, Soldier, was shot there as well as many of my other hits. Besides, it’s a lovely country with amazing scenic beauty.” So she would do it all again, huh? “Absolutely! I’d do it anytime I get the opportunity!” says the self-proclaimed adventure junkie.

Veer towards cricket and the upcoming IPL and Preity beams again. “But before the IPL, I’ve got Deepa Mehta’s Videsh – Heaven on Earth releasing. And I’m shooting for other films too. People say Preity Zinta’s gone, but I’m back in business!” she signs off, the excitement still ringing through her voice.

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Preity Zinta in Napier to cheer Indian team

Bollywood star Preity Zinta made a surprise visit to the McClean park, moments before the toss in the first ODI between India and New Zealand there to cheer The Kings Eleven Punjab, an IPL franchisee co-owned by Zinta.

“I have been invited by the New Zealand Prime Minister and will be attending the official function hosted for the Indian team on March 5 at Wellington,” said Preity, who looked gorgeous as ever clad in faded blue jeans and a blood-red top.

Preity briefly met Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Irfan Pathan before the start of the match and wished them well. “I met Yuvraj, Dhoni and Irfan briefly. Nothing much,” she revealed.

Indian team moral was already down by white wash in T20 series. But it seems her present has worked magic and Indian team won that day’s match.

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Unwanted visitors at Preity Zinta’s birthday party

Apart from Bollywood bigwigs, including Shahrukh Khan, Farah Khan, Chunky Pandey and others at her birthday bash at her flat in Quantum Park building in Bandra on Saturday, Preity Zinta also had some unwanted visitors in the party.

It was the Mumbai police patrol team who had to after slum-dwellers in the neighbourhood complained of loud music early Sunday morning. The police ordered them to turn down the volume of the loudspeakers and said that the actress will be penalised as per the provisions for flouting noise pollution rules.

A local resident, Irfan Shaikh, said that very loud music was played in the party which started late Saturday and continued till the early hours Sunday.

“Whenever there is music or programmes in the slum areas, these people in big buildings complain against us and we have to shell out large fines. We also get disturbed and so we complained to the police,” he told media persons here Sunday morning.

Well, this was an irresponsible act from Zinta who has always shown her social responsibility and did so yet again on her birthday when she adopted orphaned girls from Mother Miracle School in Hrishikesh. As their guardian, Preity will take care of finances for their basic needs like food, clothing and education.

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Don't cook up controversies about my past: Preity

Does Preity have a British ancestry? A story doing the rounds on websites that Preity Zinta is of British parentage has the actress who turns a year older on Jan 31, completely flummoxed. But this isn't the first time that Preity's lineage is being questioned. "Some years ago there was this rumour that I was related to Dharmendra. I didn't mind that at all since he's so goodlooking." The bit about the Brit has Preity less amused. "I don't know where that come. I'm a full-on pahadi girl. Both my parents are from Himachal Pradesh. I'm a complete Rajput girl. And yet I've been flooded with inquiries about my 'British blood'. Arrey yaar, who's spreading these strange rumours? And they erupted so suddenly. I wonder who's responsible." A section of Preity's supporters see this as a ploy to discredit her lately-vocal tirade against the vote-politics of the nation. Preity wants to stay away from politics of every kind. "For those who feel threatened because they feel I'm getting into politics let me assure them I've no intentions of getting into yet another alien territory. Movies are my life. And now there's cricket and the IPL. Politics is not my scene at all. There's no need to cook up controversies about my past."

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Preity Zinta back in cricketing gear

Preity Zinta is a very known face in bollywood and now also on the cricket field. She is known to own the biggest and the best team in cricket today. Last year her team Kings XI Punjab performed very well in the T-20 tournament. Preity knows very well how to boost the confidence of her players and to encourage them. Her players were very motivated through the tournament by Preity's presence during all the games whether they were successful or they lost the match. Preity now wants to attempt to give chance to budding cricketers to showcase their skills. Her Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) will hold a cricket seminar and tournament in Chandigarh and Mohali. The aim of the seminar and tournament will be to conduct a T-20 tournament between the teams of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and J&K. It will also a platform for the States to connect with different communities of the nation. The tournament is being conducted in conjunction with the state associations and in particular the PCA. KXIP Cup matches would be played in a league format among five teams i.e. two from Punjab and one each from the other three states. Each team will comprise of 14 players and two officials. A total of 11 matches will be played in the tournament. "My aim is to promote cricket at the grassroot level and to nurture new talent. I also want everyone involved to have fun, " says Priety.

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Stars who desperately need a good 2009

2008 is gone forever and 2009 has crept in with many promising films in store. Hope 2009 fights the global recession raining gold at the box-office. But stars who really need to prove themselves this year before it's too late are:- Preity Zinta- Preity had done two films last year Heroes and The Last Lear where in spite of being noticed she dint seem to make any buzz in Bollywood. Her viewers want to see her original self in roles that she has done in the past in films like Kal Ho Na Ho and Salaam Namaste but unfortunately this year she has only been seen more on the cricket fields than on the silver screen. All her wellwishers wish her Mohali team wins the IPL and her forthcoming film Har Pal does wonders in the BO and she manages to get offers from Dharma and Yash Raj productions. Shahid Kapoor- Has lots in store this year to prove himself as last year where his only hit was Jab We Met which was completely dominated by Kareena and she stole all the limelight. His film with Vidya Balan, Kismat Konnection too dint make in waves in the BO maybe because the viewers did not approve their pair. His love life was also in a mess in spite of being in news for seeing Sania Mirza and Vidya Balan. Nothing seemed to work for him. This year he has YRF's Cricket with Rani Mukerji, Ken Ghosh's musical extravaganza Yahoo with Jiah Khan and Vishal Bhardwaj's Kaminay with Priyanka Chopra. So that means lots to prove himself. In the personal front too he is said to be dating some Mubina Rattonsey, so we all hope that even in that front things work out well for him. This year he will be seen in the film Blue where his scuba diving skills and his physique will make the people forget his no acting ability. The other films which he has to hold on to are dad Sanjay Khan's The Legend of Lord Rama and Apoorva Lakhia's. Fardeen Khan- Has not had a single release last year and he just seems to have disappeared somewhere. The actor was last seen in Ram Gopal's disaster, Darling. He will be seen in the film Dulha mil Gaya in 2009. He also has Sanjay Gupta's much hyped film Acid Factory in his sleeve. As this film sounds pretty promising hope Fardeen is able to come back with a bang. Apart from this he will also be seen in Abbas Mustan's multi-starrer comic caper Life Partner. Vivek Oberoi- Over confidence and arrogance are the two words which have become the reason for the failure of this actor even though he can act well. His character of Maya Dola's in Shoot out in Lokhandwala was highly appreciated and he was remembered for it but his film, Mission Istanbul was a dud in the BO. His upcoming films like a Tips action film called Prince of Thieves, Dharma Productions' film on terrorism alongside Saif and Kareena where he plays a terrorist and a role in Prakash Jha's multi-starrer political thriller Rajneeti sound promising and the characters he s playing seem to have lots of potential so we hope these help him in proving his worth. Zayed Khan- The only good thing that happened to this star last year was that he became a father. His much hyped films Mission Istanbul and Yuvvraaj were a major disaster and were a complete hint that this star if not anything else definitely needs to attend some acting classes. Salman Khan- Last but not the least we all hope that 2009 brings in lots of luck for Sallu bhai. His 2008 was really bad where his much hyped film Yuvvraaj was unable to create magic in the box office. This year he has Veer where Salman can once again prove himself and come back in the race.

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Preity Zinta modelled her character in Heroes on her mother

Even as Preity Zinta's character in Samir Karnik's Heroes garners rave reviews it comes as a surprise to know that the role of the brave and dignified war widow is modelled on Preity's mother, Neelu Zinta.

Not only that, once Preity signed on, she worked for days on her character, language and body language with her director Karnik.

Says Preity, "The minute I read the script I knew I wanted to do it. You've no idea how many people discouraged me from doing Heroes. 'Arrey why do you want to play the mother of a growing child?; Tujhko log buddhi kahenge''. But I was adamant. I fell in love with my character. She reminded me of my mother. So many people have told me I look like her, especially in my shaadi ka joda.''

In Heroes, Preity plays a rustic Punjabi woman thrown into a crisis. ''It was easy for me to identify with the Punjabi woman in Heroes whose husband has died in the war. I come from an army background and I know what it is like to lose someone at the battlefront."

Preity unabashedly modelled the war widow's role in Heroes on her own mother. ''I always thought I looked like my father. But as I grow older, I think I've begun to resemble my mom. The other Punjabi woman I play in Heaven On Earth was much harder to play. I had no reference points except my director who held my hand as I suffered with my character for all the physical abuse she has to face."

For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

Preity's karmic connection with Punjab

Preity Zinta feels that she has some strange karmic connection with Punjab. "I must have been a Punjabi in one of my incarnations," she
laughs.

Interestingly, out of the three forthcoming releases, “Heroes”, “Heaven On Earth” and “Har Pal”, the former two have Preity play a Punjabi woman.

"’Heroes’ has me as a bubbly and vibrant village girl from Punjab, while in ‘Heaven On Earth’ I play a battered Punjabi housewife living in Canada. Though both characters have me as a Punjabi women, they are as different as chalk and cheese."

Preity also says that speaking and acting like a Punjabi wasn't easy. "I didn't know how to go about enacting my character initially. Pum-Pum (as she lovingly calls Anupam Kher) helped me out. We conducted a three-day workshop where I learnt to act and speak like a Punjabi woman," Preity says.

Incidentally, all the three films begin with the letter H. Tell her about that and Preity laughs saying, "There's some strange karmic connection there too."
For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize

In Heroes we don't bad mouth Pakistan: Preity Zinta

After almost a gap of one and half years Preity is back with a more mature outlook towards life. And that can be made out in her forthcoming films. Currently her three films are due for release, let's talk to her and know more about them.

Q-It's almost after one and half years that your three films are going to be released?
A-Yes, alongwith Heroes there are two more films that are going to be released. After Heroes which is releasing in Diwali it's going to be Deepa Mehta's "Heaven and Earth"and then Jaanu Barua's "Har Pal" will be released.

In all these films Heroes and Har Pal are completely commercial films but Heaven and Earth is a realistic film. Its based on household violence. In both the films Heroes and in Heaven and Earth I'm playing the role of a Punjabi girl.

The characters that I'm playing in both these films are different forms of women. It's chirpy and bubbly in one while serious and stronger in the other.

The character of Har Pal is something very different from what I have played till now. It reminded me of Kya Kehna.

Q-What is the specialty of these three films?
A-The specialty about these films would be that they will have a place in my personal film library. I'm really proud about these films as in them I have challenged the actor inside me.

Moreover in this era of only commercial films these films are a good combination of reality and commercial and I list them with Taare Zammen Par, Rang de Basanti, Wednesday and Munna Bhai.

And also the best part about Heroes is that in spite of being an army based film it has not bad mouthed Pakistan in any way.

Q-What would you like to say about Deepa Mehta?
A-What do I say about her, she is one of the finest directors in the world. I always thought about her as a director who could never go wrong. This was proved at Toronto after the screening of our film Heaven and Earth when the entire crowd there gave a standing ovation.

Q-In all the three films you are playing the role of a typical Indian girl, which of these is the real you?
A-Amongst the three, Kuljeet of Heroes is very close coz she is shown patriotic just, like me. But I feel just by saying any one of these characters resemble me would be unfair. More than my characters I trust these films.

Q-That means you are sure to win the national award this year?
A- (laughing) I don't know. I would want the viewers to be my award. I would like them to go and watch these films. And I would personally request every man and women to definitely watch Deepa Mehta's Heaven and Earth.

Q-Its heard that in Heroes al the heroines are sidelined, is it true?
A- Absolutely not, there is nothing like this. These are all personal views of the media. They have a habit of hyping the smallest of issues.

I would like to appreciate them as they have managed to hit the bull's eye once again. Just like Veer Zaara was Shah Rukh and Preity's film and in every poster the two of them were seen, in the same way in this film also the heroine plays a very strong character. but Heroes is actually as the name suggests a film basically on the heroes.

Q-After almost one and half year you were to be seen in "last Lear" and now in all your forthcoming films you are seem to be excited about doing all different characters. Why at this time?
A-what do you mean?

Q-I meant that were you offered such roles or you had decided that you want to do something different?
A-Yes, I had decided I wanted to do something different. because of this decision I also refused a lot of big banners which I don't want to mention now.

Whereas media had already started spreading the news that Preity is not getting any good offers and that she is planning to get married. The fact was that I had taken a one year time off from my directors for the IPL as I dint want to discuss things before they could work out.

In midst of all this I always thought in my heart that I wanted to do something different that would inspire me. Lot of my friends were annoyed and said that I was really crazy to do something like this.

Q-But why did you decide to do something like this?
A-Every single person asked me the same question at that time. And I answered all of them by saying that even if I fail in my expectations I would like to give myself a chance. No one would be held responsible for my failure.

Everytime when someone would come up to me with a offer I would instantly agree thinking that the film sounds great, the banner is big the money is good, It was as if someone is controlling me with a remote control. This was not what my heart wanted.

When I took an off for IPL I felt that these are some signals from God, coz the day I decided to do something different I got a call from Deepa Mehta asking me for Heaven and Earth.

Q-Haven't Deepa Mehta and Rituparna Ghosh offered you any roles before?
A-Of course they had offered me. Even when I was doing hard core commercial films I did get offers from big directors for such roles.

At that time I had told them that I want to be completely dedicated to what I'm doing, if im unable to give my hundred percent to the film then that would be a minus point for the film.

Q-Why did you do a cameo role in Mr. and Mrs. Khanna and Rab ne Bana di Jodi?
A-As far as Mr. and Mrs. Khanna is concerned the director of the film is a very close friend of mine and he always wanted me to work with him. But I was so obsessed with these three forthcoming films of mine that I refused him.

Now when he came up to me with this small role I couldn't refuse him. For Rab ne Bana di jodi I wouldn't like to comment on that film.
For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize