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Not just a pretty face

An actress known to lend her voice to social causes and speak out against injustice, Preity Zinta, who recently kicked off the Godfrey Phillips Bravery Blood Donation Drive, awaits the release of her new movie, `Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna', says Madhur Tankha...

She is more than just a pretty face in the glamorous world of Bollywood. Also, she has the rare ability to speak up against injustice without bothering about the consequences. Hindi film actress Preity Zinta believes in the mantra of living life to the full and even takes time off to lend a helping hand to social causes.

Here in the Capital recently to kick off the Godfrey Phillips Bravery Blood Donation Drive, her razor sharp wit was more than apparent. "I was brought up to do things that my conscience told me were right. Since childhood, it has been ingrained in me to stand up against injustice. To be uncompromising about one's values is accepted as a characteristic of a brave girl."

Dismissing suggestions that Bollywood superstars associate themselves with social causes only when their films are about to be released, Preity retorts: "This is pointing a finger at someone who is doing a good deed. It is just coincidental that I have become the brand ambassador of Godfrey Phillips when my film `Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' is about to hit the theatres. There is absolutely no correlation between this cause that I support and my upcoming film."

"Salaam Namaste" that released in 2005 was Preity's last film. No wonder the actress is banking heavily on the star-studded `Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'. "It is a fantastic film and I have a fantastic role in it. The film has been delayed for a long time. However, I am happy that it is finally ready for release. It also got postponed by a few days because of the rains and subsequent floods in Mumbai. During the making of the film, Amitabh Bachchan fell ill. One has to keep juggling with dates as sometimes I also get indisposed. I am playing a fashion editor of a New York magazine, who is an ambitious and righteous girl but cannot express her emotions. She is completely focused on her work."

The chirpy actress is excited about her upcoming film that has been directed by Karan Johar as she got the opportunity to act and dance opposite the famous father and son duo of Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishekh Bachchan. "The rock and roll song with the two Bachchans was really hectic. This was my first song with them. They are both so tall but I had a blast while shooting with them."

Reckoned to be among the best actresses in the tinsel town, Preity has definitely moved away from her bubbly image in films like "Soldier". "God has been kind to me. In fact, producers and directors have come up with outstanding scripts and given me such meaningful roles. I think I have matured as an actress. Change is the only thing constant in life. Earlier, I was jumping around and used to be chitty-chatty. Now, I am more focused and am associating myself with issues that are not glamorous. I am also evolving as a human being," she adds.

Proud of the fact that she was part of the Bollywood contingent that recently visited an event organised by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in London to celebrate and explore Bollywood cinema, Preity says: "The British film industry gave Bollywood a chance to showcase its talent. Filmmaker Yash Chopra, director-cum-producer Karan Johar and superstar Aamir Khan also attended the function. As far as not attending the recent Osian Cinefan film festival at New Delhi is concerned, I was simply not invited to it."

Asserting that Bollywood like cricket is a religion in the country, Preity says: "People definitely identify you with a cause if you are an actor. The polio drive got a fillip after Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and I campaigned for it. Besides blood donation, women's empowerment and nationalism are also close to my heart."

On her fitness mantra, Preity bursts into a peel of laughter. "Well, I am fit because I have kept a trainer, who instructs me on my workouts at the gym. I am also trying to meditate but am not able to find time. However, I am confident that one day I will manage to find time for meditation," she says.

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