'I am in a happy place with Ness' Preity

You don't have to be a damsel in distress like Aishwarya Rai to have the men around you wanting to protect you, neither do you need to be a sex kitten like Bipasha Basu to have the men falling at your knees. Preity Zinta has shown the way for actresses to be strong and candid, effervescent and endearing at the same time, earning her the title of being the only man in the man's world.

Mention that and Preity instantly dismisses, "Oh get over it," she flashes that dimpled smile. She'd rather be known for her work, which makes her immensely popular with the masses and classes alike, rather than for the statements she makes off screen. "As public figures we have a huge responsibility and it's important to use that platform to make a difference," she says.

"But then let's not also overdo it please, and sound preachy. That's so boring. And some people are out there to make statements just for the heck of it, that's annoying," she's forthright. Moving to her career front, she hasn't signed many films and there isn't a release after Jhoom Barabar Jhoom on the horizon for a while.

Is she taking it easy or being extremely choosy? "When have you seen me signing a dozen films at one go?," she counters. "I have always worked like that. I think I am in a position where I don't have to be working just to stay in the news or let people know I am around. Neither do I work for money. So I am not insecure of not having a release for the time being. Jhoom Barabar has just released and I am pleased with the response I have gotten. I am in no rush to push it harder at the moment."

Or is it that she is gearing up for marriage? "Ha ha ha! I so knew that's where you were going to go," she laughs. "You guys can be so predictable. Why is it so important for the world to know when I am getting married? I didn't know my marriage was an issue of national interest. But since it seems to be, let me tell you, there are no plans of marriage at the moment. I am in a happy place. I love sharing time with Ness and travelling with him." "Why do women have to deal with the constant questioning about marriage?" she questions.

Well her buddy Abhishek hasn't gotten married now? "And I am so happy for him. Even Ash is a good friend, and they are really good for each other. They make such a lovely couple, don't they? But does that mean I should hop on one leg to the mandap too?" she quips. Well, Preity's certain into the Wadia family fold though, what with being a brand ambassador for their airlines. Keeping it all in the family is it? "Oh Sorry, I didn't know I had to seek permission to endorse a brand or a product. Let me tell you, it was a purely professional decision and I am not going to be judged on that. I have never done things to please people nor will I stop doing things thinking it might displease them," she concludes adamantly.

The Khan clan just seems to be getting bigger and bigger, and indisputably they are a powerhouse of talent, the most recent entry is Zain Khan, the child prodigy who played Junior Saif in Parineeta and Hrithik's best buddy in Krrish, is all set to create magic in Ken Ghosh's film Chain Kuli ki Main Kuli with Rahul Bose.

This 15-year-old wonder has worked with all the big names in tinsel town, be it Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, John Abraham, Salman Khan or the most sought after cricket stars like Sachin Tendulkar and Virendar Sehwag. You name it and you got it! Ask him about how the experience had been to share screen space with them, he confesses, "I initially assumed that they would be snobbish but working with them I realised that they were normal human beings." His favourite among the stars are John Abraham, Hrithik Roshan and Salman Khan.

How difficult is it to juggle his career and school, and he declares, "I enjoy my work just as much as I enjoy solving math problems and technical drawing and it has never been a hindrance at all." About being treated differently because of his celebrity status he says, "I share a good rapport with my friends and teachers."

Besides acting he is a motor cross racer too. He has won several prizes and has represented India in Asian Junior Motor cross Championship, Macua. The actor will be in the city for the preview of his film Chain Kuli ki Main Kuli, Ask him about Hyderabad, and he very promptly says, "I have never visited the city before but now I am here I will not miss the famous Hyderabadi biryani."

Deccan Chronicle