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. - Rajnee Gupta

"You look so good, Salman" - Preity Zinta

Preity Zinta just can't stop praising Salman's look in 'Heroes' even though earlier, she has never been seen complimenting her male co-stars.



"This is for the first time that my male co-star's look made go completely in awe of him. Salman is a Jat Punjabi in the film and every time I'd see him in that get up I'd go, "Wow! You look so good, Salman!" Salman and I have worked together earlier in films but I had never complimented him ever. But Salman's Sikh look swept me off my feet," Preity said smiling.

Obviously, Preity has enough reasons to praise Salman. In fact, recently when the actress was in London, a couple of Sikh fans came up to her and complimented her on 'Heroes' as well as Salman's look in the film. They also raved about the fact that they were waiting in anticipation for 'Heroes' to release. They were even teasing her with Salman and that's when the sporty Preity retorted tongue-in-cheek, "Well I am proud to be his wife... in the film that is!"

Well, Preity sure has a rocking sense of humor.

'Shah Rukh is a good friend'

For once, we saw the beautiful Preity Zinta sansmake-up, comfortably seated at her residence. The actress was in a cheerful mood and spoke about her forthcoming films, image makeover, IPL and a lot more… Excerpts from the interview:

What made you take up Rituparno Ghosh's The Last Lear?

I had a great experience working in this film. I will always be grateful to Rituda for letting me do something different. I knew from the beginning that it was a neat film. Was it difficult to attempt a film with dialogues from Shakespearean plays? 

Yes, unless you know Shakespeare, you will not get the essence right. So it was an enriching experience for me. I am glad people liked it in places like New York, Toronto, Rome and London. The response was great. 

People have always admired you as a bubbly actress. Why have you started taking up serious roles?

I pick up roles where I can work and have fun at the same time. I am the kind of person who sees a mountain and says, 'Ah it's a high mountain and I want to climb it'. Once I reach on top, I will sleep for five days. Then I'll look for another mountain and want to climb higher. 

Any particular reason for this long gap between Jhoom Barabar Jhoom and The Last Lear… Yes, I wanted a break for a year and am thankful to all my director friends who supported me in this. Then I had IPL coming my way. It was great.

What is Heaven on Earth all about?

Heaven on Earth dwells on the subject of immigration and domestic violence. Deepa's (Mehta) film is real and every scene in the film holds true. The film is an adaptation of a real life story. I happened to meet this woman called Mona Gill. She faced domestic violence for nine years and then became a cop.The film got a standing ovation at Toronto film festival. I really want people to watch this film.

After Heroes you are again playing a Punjabi character in Heaven on Earth…

I think I have some karmic connection with Punjab. Both the films highlight on the day-to-day lives of women in the rural sections of Punjab.

Tell me something about Heroes?

Heroes gave something back to me. Even I hail from an army background. And the film is not about Pakistan bashing for a change. It's an out-and-out time pass film.

At this stage of your career, what kind of offers are you expecting?

I thank God for what he has given me so far. Today, I want to do something real, portray realistic characters. I know what Aamir must have felt when he made Taare Zameen Par. When I saw Taare… I cried and called him up to congratulate him. Heroes will have a similar effect on people. It is touching and entertaining at the same time.

Tell something about Har Pal?

Har Pal is a frothy film with an original plot. I got an opportunity to work with Dharamji in the film. It was a dream come true.

We heard that you were not comfortable working with Shiney Ahuja during the shoot of Har Pal…

There was nothing wrong between us. We didn't just get along well. We didn't become best of friends and that's because we didn't get the time to sit and chat. My role in Har Pal was somewhat difficult and I was little bit of a loner on the sets. I have been working with Shah Rukh, Salman, Aamir, Hrithik for years now. So, they are my friends. I don't see inviting Shiney to my house. 

Anupam Kher helped you a lot with Punjabi accent…

Yes, 'Pum Pum' as I call him, helped me a lot. I used to go to Anupam's house for tips. He's like family to me. I visited his house for three days and made a big dhamaal. 

How much have you changed as an actor?

I think you will notice it in my upcoming films…

Tell us something about the second season of IPL.

We are going to have a press conference sometime soon. There will be lot of revised rules for everyone. It will be bigger and better. I chopped my hair during the last IPL, because I didn't want to distract the crowd. I used to go on the field sans make-up. I was always in jeans and T-shirts.

Preity feels a 'karmic connection' with Punjab

Actress and owner of Mohali IPL team Preity Zinta says she portrays two faces of a Punjabi woman in her upcoming movies and feels a "karmic connection" with Punjab.
Though both are Punjabi women, the characters are as different as chalk and cheese, Preity told PTI in an interview.

Preity said her character in 'Heroes' is about Kuljit Kaur, a woman in rural Punjab who is "a woman of substance". While in Deepa Mehta's 'Heaven on Earth', Chand, living in Canada, is subjected to domestic violence.

"One film is about giving the woman a chance and letting her flower. While the other deals with the theme that you can ill-treat a woman but can't break her spirit," she added.

"Apart from owning the IPL team, I have now portrayed two faces of a Punjabi woman. Therefore, I feel a 'karmic' connection with Punjab." She said her gamble to take year's break from films has paid off. "Whether I am successful or not, will be decided by the audiences," she added.

Preity said she was not turning serious deliberately on screen. "Films are a reflection of what you are. I am not the bubbly, NRI girl anymore," she said.

The dimpled actress said she would from now on focus on characters which are closer to reality even while remaining in the mainstream, commercial format.

"I want to attempt roles which are unlike me in real life and bring respect to such characters on screen," she said, adding that she may do a regular, masala entertainer again.

Shah Rukh - Salman Khan spat is no big deal: Preity Zinta

After the Indian Premier League (IPL) Preity Zinta almost disappeared from the news but now she is back with three films. She speaks about why her last release The Last Lear didn’t work and what she thinks about the famous Shah Rukh-Salman war.
Q: She is an actor who can make headlines at the drop of a hat not just for her films but for cricket and her personal life too. Good to see you back after a long time.
PZ: It’s nice to be back.
Q: We saw the last of you during the IPL. Where have you been since then?
PZ: After IPL I went for a world tour which was The Unforgettable Tour. After that I got back to my films. There are three films which are ready for release now. First in the line is Heroes, then Heaven on Earth and then Har Pal.

Preity Zinta, a tattoo expert!

Strange but completely true. Our pretty Preity Zinta is a tattoo expert! After showing her cricketing acumen on and off the field, by taking her Kings XI Punjab team to the semi finals of the Indian Premier League twenty20, Preity has demonstrated that she has other talents too.

Another of her hidden skills was brought to the fore when during the making of her latest film, HEROES, the director Sameer Karnik requested Preity to sport the 'Omkar' tattoo on her hand like all traditional Punjabi females. Sameer even called a tattoo artist for that purpose but Preity did not say anything. Later she turned up with the perfect 'Omkar' tattoo on her hand and revealed to all that she had done it all by herself. Everyone on the set was surprised to say the least and as the director says, 'Preity has this habit of giving surprises.'

The much awaited HEROES, that pairs Preity once again with Salman Khan, is all set to hit the screens on 24th October.

Preity Zinta super excited about her 'Heroes' role

 Preity Zinta is very excited about her role in the upcoming film Heroes, in which she plays a demure girl who is romantically paired with Salman Khan, a bearded and turbaned Sikh.

Asked why she agreed to do the film, Preity told CNN-IBN, "I was at this phase in my life where I was refusing every film that came my way. I just wanted to do something different. And one fine day Sameer just walked in and narrated the script to me. I jumped one meter above my chair in excitement and said, 'this is it'."

Preity. Photo Credit: Eros

The film, directed by Sameer Karnik, features an ensemble cast that additionally includes Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Sohail Khan, Dino Morea,Mithun Chakraborty, Riya Sen, Amrita Arora and Vatsal Seth. It is slotted for release on October 24.

Preity. Photo Credit: Eros

Preity, 33, is reported to have enrolled in Anupam Kher's acting school to brush up her acting skills for the role.

"Preity took a lot of effort to fit into the role. She learnt the local language. She even went to a village to observe the behavior of the local women. Just watch, this is going to be Preity's best performance till date!" says Karnik.

Preity. Photo Credit: Eros

One of the challenges Preity successfully overcame was to drive a tractor.

The film has been shot on location in Ladakh, Chandigarh and Delhi.

After Heroes, Preity will be seen in Deepa Mehta’s Heaven on Earthfollowed by Jahnu Barua’s Har Pal.

She reportedly also plays cameos in Main Aur Mrs Khanna and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

Who looked hotter- Preity or Aishwarya

Both Preity zinta and Aishwarya rai were looking stunning at the premier of Drona, but which one of these beauties looked the hotter. My vote goes to Preity zinta as she was just looking out of this world in a sizzling black saree

Preity Zinta in Black Saree at Drona Premiere

Preity Zinta Glitters in Black Saree : Drona Movie Premiere. After So long time I saw Preity in a Traditional Indian Dress Saree. She is looking so Goregeous at the Premiere of the Drona Movie. Some other Celebs are also Present there to Enjoy the Premiere. On the Other Post you can see all of them.