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Beautiful and vibrant Preity Zinta on her next release, Heroes.

Q. Preity, with your next film ‘Heroes’ coming up. Are you nervous or excited?

Preity : I am very excited. I was nervous when I was shooting for the film. It was a very difficult role for me, because it was not in my comfort zone as an actor. This role was something that I have not attempted before. For instance, when someone offers me a role of an NRI, I can play that role with ease because it’s in my comfort zone. But my role in ‘Heroes’ has got a very rural flavor to it. It’s a role of a simple girl from a village, who speaks Punjabi and is a woman of the soil. She works on a tractor and makes rotis in a village house. In that sense, it’s a very different kind of role.

Q. What is the name of your character in the film and can you oblige us by giving a sneak peak into the lives of ‘Heroes’?

Preity : The name of my character is Kuljeet Kaur, who is an Indian by every inch. And as far as the ’sneak peak’ into the film is concerned, all I can say is that the film is about the two boys played by Vatsal Seth and Sohail Khan. They belong to the proverbial ‘Generation Next’ and also someone who have everything that anyone can ever want. ‘Heroes’ is about their journey of meeting people from various backgrounds of life. It is their interaction with people from various backgrounds of life. Moreover, how they get inspired from them. It is then, that these normal people become ‘heroes’. The bottom line of the story is that one need not do anything extraordinary to become a hero. You can simply do the ordinary things and become a hero. But what matters the most is the ‘way’ you do them. As Mariah Carey says in her famous song… ‘That a Hero lies in you’. This film is also something that acts as a bridge that connects the modern India with the real India.

Q. How much of your character in ‘Heroes’ do you identify with?

Preity : Absolutely…despite the fact that I am extremely urban! But as Shah Rukh Khan says, ‘Phir bhi dil hai Hinduatani’! I come from an army family (with my father and brother both serving the nation), I am extremely patriotic towards my country. I would request each and every family to at least send one of their children to the army. That way, it would not be states and communities anymore…it will be about INDIA! People in the army give their lives for people they don’t even know. The only time when we remember them is when there is a war happening. At the end of the day, we land up with a ‘Oh! How sad’ kind of feeling, which is something that I feel will never cease to be the flavor of the season. ‘Heroes’ is a look into lot of such things, without any kind of theory and lecture-baazi! It’s more of a practical presentation which, in other words, can also be termed as the mirror of the society! It’s not just me, but the whole nation will instantly identify with Kuljeet Kaur!

Q. How was it working with Salman Khan?

Preity : When Salman Khan came dressed up as a Sardar, I just looked at him and said, “Oh My God! Salman…you look so good!”. Salman, on his part, simply looked at me so endearingly and asked, “Preity…what are you talking about!”. With his beard and turban, he looked like a real Jat Sikh!

Q. ‘Heroes’ has been extensively shot in places like Pangong Tso, Manali and Punjab. Are there any memorable moments of the shoot that you would like to share with us?

Preity : Shooting for the film was total fun. I even rode a tractor for one of the scenes! Riding a tractor was so much fun in itself. Everyone joked about me riding the tractor and said that I cannot ride it since I was nervous. It was further more exciting to stone all those raw mangoes that were dangling from the zillion trees.

Q. Do you foresee a bright future for Vatsal Seth post ‘Heroes’?

Preity : I am sure that he indeed has a bright future ahead of him. And when he actually starts looking like a man (post his chocolate hero image), he would have gained so much experience in this industry, that its going to be only raining awards for him!

Q. Tell us something about the music of the film and your favourite track.

Preity : The music of the film is simply exceptional. Every track of the film has got its own charm. If I were to choose my favourite track from the album, it will definitely be ‘Mannata’. I love this track immensely, so much so that even the instrumental version of the song brings tears to my eyes. Today’s love knows no sacrifice. It’s like fast food, easy come, and easy go. In times like today, where people have zero tolerance levels, ‘Mannata’ is the way to go! Its will simply touch every human’s heart!

Q. What made you sign this film, despite the fact that Samir Karnik’s earlier films (’Kyon? Ho Gaya Na’ and ‘Nanhe Jaisalmer’) didn’t quite shine at the Box-Office.

Preity : For me, the script of ‘Heroes’ preceded everything. I also thought from the angle that it was better to work with a filmmaker who has failed in the past rather than the one who has had a huge hit. I strongly believe that failures teach you more than what success teaches you. Even if Samir had made a hundred flops, I would have still done this film!

Q. India winning at the Oscars is every Indian’s dream. So, do you feel that ‘Taare Zameen Par’ will make every Indian’s dream come true?

Preity : I really hope it wins! It’s a great movie. After watching the film, I told Aamir that, ‘TZP made me cry. And it wasn’t even a love story.’ I am already sitting with my fingers and toes crossed with a little prayer of my lips!

Q. Can you cite three reasons for the common man to watch Heroes?

Preity : Firstly, it’s a fantastic film. Secondly, I am in it. And lastly, it’s going to be worth every minute of it.

Posted in: Interview |