I’m not a great dancer, admits Preity Zinta

Bold, daring and effervescent, actress Preity Zinta, who’s been missing from the Bollywood scene, is back after a two-year hiatus. And it’s not a film that she returns with, but a reality show on television.

So, what kept the actress away from the arc lights?

“As an owner of a cricket team, there was a lot of things that kept me busy. I moved to Punjab and worked on stadiums, my team etc. I did lot of ground work. I also spent lot of time in Himachal Pradesh (her native land) as well. I also did business studies from various places to be a better entrepreneur. And whenever I got exhausted and wanted to chill, I travelled abroad,” reveals Zinta.

In spite of being offered to be a judge on a number of dance reality shows, what made her sign the Indian edition of Guinness World Records?  “Firstly, I am not a great dancer, so it makes no sense for me to judge others dancing. But when I was offered the show, and after going through the world records achieved across the world, I felt I had to be a part of it. Also it’s like an Olympic or World Cup, where you get to be a World Record holder for something that you do. It could also be anything bizarre.”

Now that she’s on TV, who’s her favourite host from the film industry? “I just loved Madhuri (Dixit) in Jhalak Dikhla Ja and Mr Bachchan in Kaun Banega Crorepati too. But I simply love Salman (Khan) in Bigg Boss — he was really crazy. I also feel Shah Rukh (Khan) was amazing when he hosted KBC.”

Looking back at the journey she covered in the film industry, the actress speaks warmly about meeting the two M’s when she was a newcomer.

“I was a rank newcomer in Dil Se, and Manisha (Koirala) a super star. If she wanted she could’ve made my life miserable, instead she rolled out a red carpet for me. She was so wonderful and extremely warm. She helped me grow in that film. Later I got to work with MD (Madhuri Dixit), who was this mega star when I did Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke with her. And she too turned out to be an absolute sweetheart,” smiles Zinta.