Preity Zinta took time to understand cricket. Now, films are back on the radar as is a book on false media reports about Bollywood stars. Over to Karan Bhardwaj
Finally, Preity Zinta has decided to explain why she has been so unpretty about the media lately. That too by writing a book on the media’s biased coverage that has maligned her public image. “I am fed up with incorrect reports. Journalists must not write without cross-checking facts. I think time has come when I should show some amazingly written fictitious stories to scribes. I am compiling the fake news stories about several filmstars and will publish them in a book. It will also contain my comments and the actual truth,” she told us at a promotional event of her ambitious “baby” project Ishkq In Paris.
Zinta believed that journalism required a revival. “The kind of entertainment journalism being done is nonsensical. The credibility of the profession is under threat. It’s high time the media thinks about it and comes clean. Its desperation to cook news hampers one’s prospects. Our businesses are killed and personal lives get disturbed,” she lashed out in the course of an hour-long chat with us.
She is back to Bollywood after a gap of almost five years, a time she used producing the movie and writing its story and dialogues. But her absence from tinsel town was attributed to a variety of reasons, from a lack of film offers to her troubled relationship with boyfriend Ness Wadia to her struggle in the IPl arena.
“People need to realise that investing money in any business consumes your time. When I put millions of dollars in IPl (India Premier league), I needed to make sure it turned out productive and gave me dividends. It is absolutely not possible to run two careers simultaneously, especially when they require your full attention. Running a cricket team is a full-time job. How can I do films when I am working passionately on a completely different projectIJ”, she asked.
The actor, who debuted with Mani Ratnam’s Dil Se, wished to explore careers beyond films. “I have always maintained that I never wanted to confine myself. There was a time when I wanted to try out different things and the opportunity came with IPl. One always takes time to settle down in a new field. I took my time to understand the basics of business of cricket and how to take that forward. IPl had become my priority. Now since I am comfortable in that zone, I can also do films,” she declared. The actor has already confirmed doing the Sunny Deol starrer Bhaiyyaji Superhitt apart from another project which is likely to be announced soon.
Did she get apprehensive about losing her fan following during the intervalIJ “I thought my fans had moved on. But I was wrong. The number of requests I get from Twitter made me realise that I should keep doing films. So now, I will be seen more often in films,” she confessed.
Her Ishkq In Paris is about two strangers Akash (Rhehan Malliek) and Ishkq (Preity Zinta). After meeting on a train from Rome to Paris, they spend the evening together in the city. Then part ways, only to unite later. “It’s a contemporary film. There may be a segment who want to see actors jumping from skyscrapers. But others want to see cool, trendy stuff with relatable characters. The present generation is fun-loving, happening and outgoing. I am sure they will like it.”
The actor also claimed that this was the toughest film of her career. “We filmed from February and it was freezing. I think it was the coldest winter in 65 years. Apart from the weather and successful shoot, we got permission to shoot at the Eiffel Tower and iconic locations that few manage to get. I had to wear a skirt, which literally made falooda out of me. Also, the film stars a newcomer. You have to do homework in advance because there are things a new actor wants to know. As a producer, I had to be in front and behind the camera.” Incidentally, it also snowed heavily the day she was born in Shimla.
Zinta said she has mostly chosen films which have gone beyond entertainment. “Mission Kashmir, Kya Kehna, Veer-Zaara and others have brought up some real issues. I love to do films which are informative and educative.”
As for Ishqk in Paris, it is contemporary. “A part of me lies in the character. This girl (Ishkq) is upfront, upbeat and honest. like I have always been,” she gushed.
“I have participated in story as well as dialogues. The film is my baby,” she gushed.
A few days ago, she also stirred Twitter by tweeting about an accident and how she followed a vehicle to trace the number plate.
“I was on my way to Mumbai airport. A man was hit by an ambulance. I informed the police and also chased the ambulance to note down its number. I did it because I could be the victim tomorrow. I think it’s our duty to do the right things rather than just expecting others to take the initiative all the time,” she said.
Talking about the delay in Ishkq In Paris’ release due to the director Prem Raj’s critical disease, the actor defended her decision. “Raj was diagnosed with cancer. Many people advised me to find another director since it was a big project. But my mother told me that life was not just about commerce. I should wait and support Raj. I followed her advice and I am glad that he is hale and hearty now,” she said. Ishkq In Paris releases May 24.