'Salman is a nice guy' Interview

As Preity Zinta gears up for the release of her film 'Jaaneman' - she has talked about her interests to India Times' Madhurita Mukherjee – and one this vivacious actor's ambitions is to be a sting journalist. Here are some excerpts:

"Salman is a nice guy"

Salman Khan in the film 'Jaaneman'

MM: Preity, you say that you have this "emotional connection" with 'Jaaneman' because the movie has been through highs and lows. And you've been there with the movie and with your co-star and buddy Salmaan Khan. Could you elaborate?

PZ: Well, there's a saying in English, "all's well that ends well.' And after all that we went through in this film, in the end I think we've just become closer, and stood together and... God's been very kind. After all the stress we went through, the film has turned out very nicely.

And I do want to say that Salman is not the monster that the whole world makes him out to be. He might not be media friendly, he might not be a smooth talker, but he's got a very good heart, he's got one of the nicest hearts in the industry. He's straight forward, he's a clean guy, and he's just been extremely unlucky... but I had a great time working with him in 'Jaaneman'. And now I think, after Jaaneman, there's a new, mellowed down Salman.

For kids only

MM: You're doing a special promotion for children. What brought out this 'maternal' side in you?

PZ: Since 'Koi Mil Gaya' I've not been in India for any of my film releases. I am here this time, and I really wanted to enjoy 'Jaaneman'. After a long time, I'm doing a film which kids would enjoy. So I thought, why not have a screening only for children under fifteen. Kids are so pure, so honest, they love you unconditionally, and they'll be surrounded with positive energy.

A lot of times, I meet children from 'Make a Wish Foundation' or charities, who are not well or don't have all the things we do. I wanted, at least for one day, to make somebody's day really special. I want to bring together kids from everywhere - army kids, kids from hospital, actors' kids, industrialists' kids, and kids from orphanages - I want to mix them all. Because it's not about being rich or poor, it about love, being together. It's about celebrating, enjoying life, and having a mad time... and I'm really excited about it.

"I would be a political journalist"

MM: I remember once, you were telling me that if you were a scribe you would never cover film journalism. Why did you say that?

PZ: I would be a specialist for sting operations and politics, for sure! I would be that. There are so many journalists covering films. I think India is one of the best countries to be in, but every year India's going one step back. Why?

I just got back from Bangkok where they were shooting a commercial – and what a fantastic airport they have made. People in India say we're going to make Bombay Shanghai. I say, don't make Bombay Shanghai, make it Bangkok. Bangkok four years ago was filthy, today it's clean, it has sky scrapers and the most fantastic airport. So I would definitely do (politics).

"Don't let KANK happen to you"

MM: There are a lot of 'different' movies been made today, there's 'Rang De', 'Munnabhai' - it's started a movement of a kind. What kind of a movement did KANK spark off? Extra-marital affairs?

PZ: Maybe what KANK may have done, is tell people to marry for the right reasons. Don't get married at 19 or 20 to divorce at 30 or 28. Marry a bit later, get a job, know what you want in life, but marry for the right reasons. And also I think the film says that in any adversity you should look for an opportunity. Let this film about divorce teach you about love, about not being divorced. Don't see it and say 'it's propaganda for divorce'. To me I think it's saying, 'don't let it happen to you. Be sure of what you want'.

Preity Zinta in a face off with Shahrukh Khan in 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'

MM: I think post KANK, you've finally shed you're bubbly image... after all, you slapped Shah Rukh in the film! Do you agree?

PZ: I was in London and someone asked, 'how does it feel to be bubbly?' and I said, 'I have officially given that crown to Rani Mukherjee after she did 'Bunty and Babli'.

(Interview by India Times' Madhurita Mukherjee)