Preity honest and personal

One of the much-awaited Diwali releases this year is Sajid Nadiadwala's 'Jaanemann' starring Preity Zinta, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. Reuters correspondent Sameera Nanda caught up with Preity to talk about 'Jaanemann' and more.

The Interview

SN: What's the movie about, Preity?
PZ: 'Jaanemann' is a love story spanning a certain amount of time, it starts off in college and then moves to New York city. I can't talk about it because if I talk I'll give out the script, and my producer who is outside, will kill me (laughs). So all I can say is, it's a very happy film – an out-and-out entertainer. It's a film that kids, old people, sick people, anyone can watch anytime. You'll always be happy watching it. It's not like one of those heavy, drama films. And – it's also a film that you can watch without leaving your brains behind.

SN: What was it like working with Salman Khan?
PZ: I've done films with Salman in the past – it's Akshay who I haven't worked with in a long time. So it was great working with the two of them, they're both as different as chalk and cheese. For me it was very special shooting for 'Jaanemann' in New York City, because I've done 'Kal Ho Na Ho' here, I've also done KANK – now 'Jaanemann' is my third film here in a row. And it's a very, very lucky place for me. I love New York, I was very happy to be here.

New York, New York

SN: What do you love about New York?
PZ: I love the fact that you can walk around, everything's close by and everything is open 24 hours – and more than anything, I love the buzz of the city – it's fantastic. I love Central Park, I used to go there every evening for a run. While we were here shooting for 'Kal Ho Na Ho' there was a blackout, and it was wonderful to see the spirit of the city – everyone was out on the streets. There was so much of energy between people just because they were all New Yorkers. The city has a great vibe. You come here and feel charged with extra batteries.

SN: Excited about the film opening?
PZ: Yes! Very excited – October 20 is the d-day.

SN: What else are you working on?
PZ: Right now, I've just come from London. I was working on a film called 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom' – it's a film by Yashraj Films, directed by Shaad Ali with Abhishek Bachchan, Bobby Deol, Lara (Dutta) and me.

Hollywood and Al Pacino

SN: Bollywood actress are becoming more and more popular in the US – Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai... what about you, do you think you would like to make a film in Hollywood?
PZ: Well, I don't know, you know. I don't even have time to take a holiday right now. But who knows, they say 'never say never'. But I think if you really want to go to something which is out of your country, you really have to either leave the work you have behind, or it's just not possible – and I have too much work on my hands to leave behind. But who knows.

SN: Any actors and actresses you admire here?
PZ: Yah. Al Pacino. I love Al Pacino.

SN: We'll make sure he hears that, so he can do a movie with you. Thanks very much for talking to us.
PZ: Thank you.

(Interview by Reuters' Sameera Nanda for TIMES NOW)