Recap: When bold Preity spoke against Mumbai underworld while SRK, Salman remained silent
Preity Zinta, an evergreen star of Bollywood, has remained an important figure in the industry even after relocating to America post-marriage. Despite facing numerous challenges, including controversies and threats during her career, Preity has always confronted them with courage. It is her strong decisions and unwavering stance that have set her apart from others in the industry. While many have backed down in the face of fear, Preity never wavered.
One of the most notable moments in her career was her strong stand against the Mumbai underworld. This incident occurred during the shooting of the film Chori Chori Chupke Chupke. Following the film’s release, its producers Bharat Shah and Naseem Rizvi were arrested, and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated an inquiry. It later emerged that the film had been funded by underworld don Chhota Shakeel. The don had insisted that Salman Khan appear in the film, and there were demands for a share of the profits.
During and after the shooting, Preity, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and director Rakesh Roshan all revealed that they were under threat from the underworld. The situation escalated when Rakesh Roshan was shot at. It wasn’t until the case reached court that things began to take a turn.
While many of those involved changed their statements, including Rakesh Roshan, Salman Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan, Preity remained steadfast. She maintained her testimony in court, revealing that she had received persistent threatening calls demanding Rs 50 lakh. Her testimony was pivotal in supporting the prosecution against the film’s producers. For her courage in speaking out against the underworld, Preity received widespread praise, with the police providing her with extra security due to the threats to her life.
Reflecting on the situation later, Preity shared, "That was the scariest chapter of my life. During the shooting, the atmosphere was tense and fearful. The threats continued, and even after the shooting, the calls kept coming. The demand was always for money."
At around the same time, certain media outlets released an audio tape of a phone conversation between Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan, in which Salman allegedly admitted to his relationship with Preity. When the tape was made public, Salman initially remained silent. However, Preity filed a defamation case against the media outlets. Investigations later revealed that the tape was fake.
In 2014, when Preity filed a case against her then-boyfriend and co-owner of Punjab Kings, Ness Wadia, for touching her inappropriately and public humiliation, it shocked many. Ness initially denied the allegations, but years later, he publicly apologised to Preity, leading to the case being withdrawn.
In interviews, Preity has often said that her upbringing has been a driving force behind her strong stances. Raised by disciplined parents, she faced a turning point in her life when, at the age of 13, her father died in a tragic accident, and her mother was severely injured. She had to mature quickly and take on the role of guiding her younger siblings through difficult times, something she has openly discussed as one of the defining moments of her life.
Preity made her Bollywood debut with Dil Se and went on to solidify her place in the industry with films such as Kal Ho Na Ho, Veer-Zaara, Salaam Namaste, Koi Mil Gaya, and Soldier. She is now gearing up for a comeback with the film Lahore 1947, marking a return to the silver screen after a significant break.
Preity Zinta’s career has been marked by both triumphs and tribulations, yet her unwavering resilience has kept her relevant in the industry, earning her respect not only as an actor but also as a woman who has stood strong in the face of adversity.