Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta claim players for Indian Premier League

You've seen them dancing together on screen, but now, they're competing on the cricket pitch!

Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta have decided to throw their weight behind the Indian Premier League with their respective teams.

In Wednesday's auction for players, SRK bagged Shoaib Akhtar for $425,000 (Rs 1.7 crore), Ricky Ponting for $400,000 (Rs 1.6 crore) and Chris Gayle for $800,000 (Rs 3.2 crore).

Preity claimed Mahela Jayawardene for $475,000 (Rs 1.9 crore), S Sreesanth for $ 625,000 (Rs 2.5 crore) and Brett Lee for $900,000 (Rs 3.6 crore).

While money talks - with Bollywood backing - it seems to be bursting into a song and dance!

King Khan is good news for the business, as he already has his finger in many pies. Apart from being a producer, he's a star endorser and a television host too.

The Chak De! India hero is also no stranger to motivating teams!

And while Preity Zinta may no longer have great roles to boast about onscreen currently, she's taking her new role as entrepreneur quite seriously.

"Films are my first child. Cricket now is my second child. I will give my life to it. We want to put up the best team and win all matches. We are here not for business, but to support the sport," she said.

Well then, it seems, IPL Twenty20 is the next most awaited thing of the year!

Preity Zinta gets candid on Valentine's Day

Currently dating Ness Wadia, Preity Zinta shares her Valentine's Day plans:

Any plans for V-day?
(Laughs) If you have any gifts, please give them to me now.

Which is your most memorable Valentine's Day?
The most special Valentine's Days are the initial ones. To have someone important in one's life is a good reason to smile every day. I'm happy for whoever wants to celebrate it.

The best gift you ever got?
On January 24, when the IPL bid result came in my favour. I was so excited that I couldn't stop jumping around. It took me a day to calm down!

We're talking about Valentine's Day gifts here.
Hmm, can't recollect one right now.

Ideally, how would you like to spend the day?
I don't plan too much, but go with the flow. I'm a romantic at heart and all that, but I don't plan days ahead.. I'm more spontaneous.

Which is the most romantic moment of your life?
It has to be the scene in Kal Ho Naa Ho, when Shah Rukh reads the letter to me. I remember asking Karan Johar if anyone could do that in real life.. I don't think so. I was floored. The dialogue was so much like poetry.

Ever wished it to happen in real life?
In reality, life is incredible. If anyone wrote poetry to me, I don't know.. (laughs) I'd probably run as if I were running in the Mumbai marathon!

Happy Birthday, Preity!

Preity Zinta - the vivacious, dimple-cheeked Bollywood star - celebrates her 33rd birthday today, with greater confidence in her abilities and demonstrating a little known business acumen, with the recent bagging of the franchise of the Mohali team in cricket's Indian Premier League.

Preity would have had a big do to mark the occasion, had her professional commitments not come in the way, according to a source close to her.

However, she has ensured that the 'big day' in her life is not all work and no play!

She will celebrate, but it will be a quiet one. Who are included in her private party's guest list is also kept under wraps, to avoid media scrutiny.

One person, who will stand beside Preity to cheer her, and sing "Happy Birthday To Dear Preity" the loudest will be her beau, Ness Wadia - the scion of the Wadia family - who runs Bombay Dyeing.

Professionally - after a decade in the industry - Preity is now bold enough to tread on uncharted territories with a rare confidence, to ensure that, she carves her own niche in Bollywood and of course, with an eye on Hollywood.

Indeed, she has accepted the challenge of movies like Deepa Mehta's forthcoming venture, Heaven On Earth and Jahnu Barua's Har Pal, movies that are far away from Bollywood's commercial standards.

In both the movies - due for release in the first half of 2008 - Preity will surprise her fans and audiences alike, portraying far less glamorous roles than she has ever played in the past.

On a personal note: I met her at the Kya Kehna promotional event (her first movie as an actress in a challenging role) in 2000, when I was working for Times Of India.

She came across as a sweet woman, who loves to interact with kiddos (she played with them all the time, while she was there in the office!) and also knows her mind in speaking about matters, which are close to her heart.

Bollywood Buzz wishes Preity Zinta a very Happy Birthday :o)

Shah Rukh Khan, Priety Zinta bag teams in IPL bidding

After months of speculation, the verdict is finally out.

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan - who had expressed a keen interest in acquiring a team in BCCI's much awaited Indian Premiere League (IPL) - has emerged as one of the successful bidders, thereby, getting hold of the Kolkata team.

Mukesh Ambani emerged as the highest bidder bagging the Mumbai team while liquor baron Dr.Vijay Mallya was not far behind when he won the bid for Bangalore.

However, a surprising name among the winners of the bid was none other than Preity Zinta, who has bagged the Mohali team!

One thing's for certain...with such big names from entertainment and business world now associated with this event - apart from top cricketers - it will indeed be a spectacle, when the season kicks off somewhere in the middle of this year!

Video: Shah Rukh Khan speaking on IPL bidding

Video: Preity Zinta speaking on IPL bidding

Preity Zinta: Ness & I are still together!

Tinsel town may be buzzing with stories of Ness Wadia and Preity Zinta splitting up, but the actress herself laughs off rumours of any problem between her and her industrialist boy friend.

"Ness and I are together, thank you very much! We are happy. There are no problems between us," she said.

Earlier, there were reports that the couple - who has been together for three years - had a spat on the sets of Zinta's new film - Heaven On Earth - when she was shooting in Toronto.

Reports insinuated that Zinta had no time for her boyfriend - who had accompanied her on the shoot - as director Deepa Mehta was a tough taskmaster.

This allegedly led to a furious argument between the couple, and, culminated in Ness returning to Mumbai and Preity going to London for a solo holiday.

But when contacted, Preity rubbished the stories.

"I don't know where these stories originate from. A few months ago, it was said that Ness and I were getting married, and now it's being said that he and I have split."

She sarcastically adds one more time, "Ness and I are happy together, thank you very much!"

We believe you, mam!

Preity Zinta off to Thailand for New Year

Preity Zinta is taking a well-earned vacation.

After shooting as the derelict NRI wife in Deepa Mehta's Heaven On Earth, Preity is off to Phuket, Thailand with her friends to bring in the New Year.

Last year at this time Preity had injured herself during a vacation.

"The year has been a tough one for me," groaned Preity. "Not only did I suffer a serious injury, it has also been a year of tough challenges for me as an actor."

"In 2007, I went into another kind of cinema altogether. From doing Yash Raj Films to playing a woman who finds herself at the receiving end of life in Heaven On Earth has been quite a creative and cultural shock for me," Preity said.

The actress is, however, quick to point out the film isn't only about a battered wife.

"It's about all the people who leave India and hope to find paradise abroad, only to be stuck on wretched 16-hour jobs with no happiness or sunshine. I never knew how such marginalized women existed until I played one," she said.

"Deepa Mehta's Heaven On Earth was tough on me emotionally. In the month that I was in Toronto, I went out just twice and that too to maintain my sanity. I really need a break now," added the actress who had only one commercial release this year, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.

Preity will return from her vacation in the second week of January with a clear date diary.

"I haven't said yes to any of the scripts I've heard. I'll take a call when I return from my holiday. But yes, 2007 has been my year of unconventional films. So 2008 will probably be a year of hardcore masala movies."

Subi Samuel's Bollywood Calendar 2008: Preity Zinta

If Abhishek Bachchan is Sam, then Preity Zinta is presented as Jackie 'Jack', the Miss Perfect in Subi Samuel's Bollywood Calendar 2008, in which film stars are portrayed as comical characters.

Jackie, a chock-a-block of everything: gorgeousness, good looks, intelligence, and also a cute sense of humor. Her life was simply perfect with a bunch of friends, a not-so-constant boyfriend.

Jack's perception about men changes when she meets Robbie. She mistakes him to be the perfect match for her, even though she knew that he is already married! She believed that he will leave his wife for her.

In due course of time, she realizes that Robbie's company - Cyber Rats Inc - happens to be the software company that was just a front for the most organized cyber crime outfit.

And when she realized that he wasn't the man of her dreams and pretended to be so only on a superficial front, she wrecks his house with a car and drives out with a CD carrying all the info that will implicate Robbie. Robbie tries to catch her, but all his efforts go in vain.

Jack will stop only after she destroys him.

As someone said, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!"

Preity talks about missing Bollywood, feeling homesick and Deepa Mehta's Heaven On Earth

It isn't easy being a battered wife. It isn't easy playing one either!

This, Preity Zinta discovered over the past month while shooting in Toronto for Deepa Mehta's tale of domestic subjugation, Heaven On Earth.

The role got to Preity so badly, her mother had to fly down to cheer up the vivacious actress!

Said Preity, "It was mom's birthday on November 30, so she came over with my brother and niece for two days. That really helped me to re-connect with my real life, to appreciate how lucky I am to have a career without losing out on my family."

It's been tough for her in Toronto. She misses home and Bollywood.

"Especially Shah Rukh, Salman and Karan. The other night I was watching Veer-Zara and I fell completely homesick. Heaven On Earth is in Punjabi and English. That itself is a huge change from everything I've done so far. But the role is something else.

I never knew a character would effect me so deeply. I've become completely withdrawn and introspective. Playing such a role just makes me think about the plight of a majority of women who don't have access to the infrastructure that have helped women achieve a kind of liberation in our society."

The film is the real story of a battered NRI wife who bore years of domestic violence.

"I am in an alien environment, shooting a bleak life with a crew and way of working that's totally new to me. Here I am no star, just a member of the cast. Saturdays and Sundays are off. But I can't snap out of the character. I just sit in my hotel pouring over my lines," sighed Preity.

Preity wants to shed 'bubbly' image

Bollywood's original Ms Bubbly wants a break from her image and she has chosen the art route to do it.

Preity 'bubbly' Zinta is getting a portrait of herself done by Anjanna Kuthiala , who otherwise paints only her muse - Shah Rukh Khan.

"Preity wants to break free from her chirpy, bubbly and happy-golucky image. So, my painting will show her in a serious avatar," Anjanna says. And how did the switch happen - from painting only SRK to painting Preity now?

"Preity was initially hesitant when I told her about making her my new muse. She said people would think she loves herself to madness and is vain enough to decorate the walls of her house with her own paintings," says Anjanna, adding, "But Preity's house doesn't have a single picture of her.

And I told her that the only other actor who doesn't have his pictures adorning his walls is SRK. She doesn't want to be painted as a cool and casual chick. She demanded two things in the painting - a complete change of her personality type and the touch of Himachal Pradesh.

She told me, 'I want the old Rajput look and the painting should be an antithesis of my image."

So, Anjanna is all set to paint her in Veer-Zaara style with a veil covering her face.

Howzzat for an image makeover, Preity?

Preity Zinta says to Punjab: I'm loving it!

Preity Zinta has been shooting Samir Karnik's movie Mera Bharat Mahaan in Punjab.

Shooting on the outskirts of Chandigarh is a welcome change for Preity who is known for shooting most of her films abroad. And in this time of the year when Punjab has witnessed good rains in June and nature is lush green there, Preity is appreciating the beauty of the hinterland.

"Right now everything is so green and lovely in Punjab. It feels good to know one's own country," Preity said.

Staying in the countryside, Preity has also been hanging around cows and buffalos and even feeding them sometimes! In fact, Preity is experiencing the life of a village belle as she also goes out in the fields to pluck jamuns.

After Punjab, the unit will continue shooting the film in east India.

Preity Zinta flies high with Go Air

Go Air has a face now and a well known one. Priety Zinta is the first brand ambassador for Go Air and it's also the first time that the airlines has a face. But why would airlines need a brand ambassador?

Priety Zinta says, “Why would you ruin my life. Everybody needs a brand ambassador and I would like to answer that. Please don't say why do you need a brand ambassador.” Clearly, someone is excited. Where Go Air has its own motive to have Priety on board. She has her own reasons to be associated with the airlines.

Managing Director of Go Air Jeh Wadia says, “Vibrant, young, innovative - these are some qualities that Priety has.” Well what Priety says is that she loves all colours – she loves the green and the red.

Is that the reason Priety decided to branding for Go Air or is it because of a certain Ness Wadia, Preity's so called good friend of course who happens to be Jeh's brother? Priety says, “My choice is always and is always just quality. I like to be associated with quality products.”

Shiney and Priety in Jhanu Barua's next

Jhanu Barua the nine time national award winner director from Assam who made his debut as a Hindi filmmaker with the highly acclaimed film Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara is all set to direct his next venture.

The film is titled Har Pall and will see a never seen before combination of Shiney Ahuja and Preity Zinta.

The film is being produced by Tito of the famous Tito-Tony pair who produced films like Ram Balram, Do Anjaane and Insaniyat with Amitabh Bachchan.

Preity wants to cast Big B under her direction

Ever since she travelled with superstar Amitabh Bachchan on his private plane, Preity Zinta has been on cloud nine.

She was shooting with the actor for Rituparno Ghosh's English language film The Last Lear in Mussoorie and after finishing the shoot, he offered the perky actress a ride back to Mumbai in his private aircraft.

"Mr Bachchan was kind enough to give me a ride back. He has been the most wonderful co-star I've ever worked with. And his command over the craft...wow," Preity said.

She says she spent the most divine four days shooting with him in Mussoorie.

"The last time I was in Mussoorie, it was for another shoot. And guess what? It was again with Mr Bachchan for Armaan. Believe me, if I ever direct a film I'll cast him only."

While Bachchan plays a veteran Shakespearean actor, Preity plays a bad actor in The Last Lear.

"Playing a bad actor against him was a pleasure specially when I had a director like Rituparno Ghosh to guide me to be bad on camera. Ghosh is a magician and so calm. He kept trying these various wigs on his shaved head and we had a ball just watching Ghosh experiment with his looks.

As for my looks, you've to see what Ghosh has done with me. I've never looked like this before. It was all so much fun, and didn't seem like we were making a very serious film,” she said.

Back in Mumbai, Preity is busy looking at several scripts. She has green-lighted Samir Karnik's Mera Bharat Mahaan.

"I just fell in love with Karnik's script. It's an episodic film with a very strong social message." Preity will be paired with Salman Khan in this multi-starrer.

Tell her she needs to do a full-on comedy and she pipes in, "Oh, but Amitji, Abhishek and I have some really funny interludes together in Shaad Ali's Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom. You've to watch us bring the roof down together."

Preity laughs off break-up rumours

Preity Zinta is amused by the fresh round of rumours about her split with long-term beau Ness Wadia.

The latest one doing the rounds is that the couple had a massive showdown in Kuala Lumpur during the Zee Awards, over Ness' mom Maureen Wadia. Preity is absolutely flummoxed.

"Who is spreading these stories? In fact Ness wasn't even there with me at the Zee Awards. My cousin and business manager Inder had accompanied me. If he looked like Ness to the people in Kuala Lumpur then they need to drink less, or maybe add more power to their contact lenses. You can confirm with the organisers that Ness was nowhere on the scene," said Preity.

Preity refuses to say any more on the matter. But according to a very close friend of the couple, there's absolutely no problem between Preity and Maureen.

"They get along famously. It may sound exciting to have two glamorous women fighting over a man. But the fact is, there's absolutely no tension between the two. Preity is very fond of her boyfriend's mother. Touchwood, her relationship with Ness is proceeding on course," said the friend.

"The reason why she doesn't speak about Ness and his family is because they're not a part of the entertainment business. They guard their privacy fiercely. Preity respects their space and is happy not to disrupt the status quo in any way," the friend added.

Preity Zinta's dare devil stunts

Preity Zinta is certainly looking forward to a change of image.

In one such measure, she is now being seen as an action woman in the latest promo of telecom giant BSNL who have roped her as their brand ambassador. She is shown to be flying and kicking in perfect synch while wearing black robes to create a Hollywood appeal.


On Bollywood front, after a disappointing run of JAANEMAN last year, she is gearing for some better times in 2007 with contrasting films like Shaad Ali's JHOOM BARAABAR JHOOM and Rituparno Ghosh's THE LAST LEAR. While the former has Abhishek Bachchan in the lead, the latter has Amitabh Bachchan in a pivotal role.

To complete the superstar circle, she would also be making a special appearance as herself in Shahrukh Khan's OM SHANTI OM.

Preity Zinta – new face of Rexona deo!

Preity Zinta’s dimpled smile and sheer confidence is much sought after, not only by Bollywood producers but also by some of the biggest brands in India.

Corporate giant HLL (Hindustan Lever Ltd.) has roped in the actress to endorse its established brand Rexona. Rexona has come up with a line of roll-on deodorants and Zinta will be the face of this concept, which is relatively new to the Indian market. Vice President of home and personal care, HLL, explained that Rexona as a brand connotes confidence, passion, and an active lifestyle. This is completely in sync with Zinta’s personality. So it only made sense to rope her in. Zinta has already shot a television commercial and a print ad that reads “Who are you going to meet next?” As a part of the promotion, a contest will also be run in multiplexes such as PVR and Adlabs, with the lucky winner getting a chance to watch a movie with Preity Zinta.

The gorgeous actress, whose claim to fame was an ad for Liril, has endorsed several brands in the past, including Pepsi and Nestle Maggi. She is now promoting P&G’s Head & Shoulders. Preity is currently shooting for Shaad Ali’s Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. The film also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Bobby Deol and Lara Dutta. The film is produced by Aditya Chopra.

Preity Zinta in Rituparno Ghosh's next

Preity Zinta is one of the talented actresses of Bollywood, who loves to work with equally talented filmmakers. Preity has signed Rituparno’s next film. The film also stars Amitabh Bachchan who signed the film just few days back.

Preity will play the lead role in Rituparno’s film which will be made in English. The film is being produced by Arindam Chaudhuri who had produced Rok Sako Toh Rok Lo starring Sunny Deol. Chaudhuri says that he met Preity in London for an interview and since then keen to sign her for his next film.

Preity Zinta’s last release was Shirish Kunder’s Jaan-E-Mann. She is currently shooting for Shaad Ali’s Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.

Preity Zinta launches scented stamps for Valentine

The Postal Department has introduced a new range of special scented stamps. Actress Preity Zinta launched the stamps in Mumbai on Wednesday, February 7. Scents of four different kinds of Roses were selected for this special set of stamps called ‘Fragrance of Roses’.

The launch was done just a week ahead of Valentines Day which hints whom the rose scented stamps are targeted towards.

Wedding Bells for Preity Zinta

Bollywood is buzzing with wedding bells ringing in from every corner. With Aishwarya-Abhishek wedding round the corner, the latest to join the band is Preity Zinta who is ready to tie the knot with her business tycoon boyfriend Ness Wadia. Last year on her birthday, Ness Wadia had organized a splendid birthday bash with Karan Johar, Gauri and Shah Rukh Khan, Arbaaz-Malaika and many other distinguished guests attending the party. The juicy grapevine has another twist to this love episode. Ness' mother and Gladrags model hunt founder Maureen Wadia, is not too keen about this relationship. She is said to have belittled Preity many times and has gone to the extent of mocking her in public through interviews in a harsh manner, "I don't care least even if Ness get married to a zebra."

The film industry is now virtually the hub for love making with Valentine's Day nearing too. Ness Wadia, a rich industrialist and heir apparent to Bombay Dying Company is indeed a "prized catch" for the actress who had decided precisely not to date "anyone from Bollywood." Earlier sometime Preity had to bluntly ask the media to stay away from her personal relationship when it was reported that Ness had manhandled few labourers late at midnight outside her Bandra residence. So far Preity, extremely possessive of Ness had maintained silence keeping the relationvery guarded and away from public eye.

One of the most sought after actresses of Bollywood, Preity Zinta, the bubbly babe celebrated her 32nd birthday on 31st January.If Preity-Ness tie the knot then it would definitely be one of the high-profile weddings linking Bollywood and Business after the tie up between Reliance and Bollywood, the Tina Munim - Anil Ambani marriage.

Happy B'day Priety !

Preity Zinta, one of the leading heroines of Bollywood is celebrating her 32nd birthday today.

This gorgeous Aquarian stepped into the tinsel town in 1998 with Mani Ratnam’s ‘Dil Se’. Since then, Preity has given a string of notable performances in films like Kya Kehna, Dil Chahta Hai, Koi Mil Gaya, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Veer Zaara, Salaam Namaste, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna and Jaaneman.

She may not have swept the boards at the award functions, but her acting in films like ‘Koi Mil Gaya’, ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’ and ‘Veer Zaara’ got her critical acclaim besides a few best actress statuettes.

Happy Birthday, Preity !!