Preity Zinta trails down the memory lane and talks about some life threatening incidents

She had some ugly brushes with disasters but nothing stopped her indomitable spirit to continue doing what she was doing. That’s Preity Zinta for you.

Asked to recall the most horrific incident of all and Preity starts talking about the Temptations tour.

“When Shahrukh, Priyanka Chopra and myself were on the Temptations tour in Sri Lanka and there was a huge bomb blast nearby. Just 15 days later, I was at Phuket where there was a Tsunami. For all my common sense and presence of mind, I was completely numb when two security guards had to literally pull and carry me to a safe location. I cannot forget those people without whom I wouldn’t be standing here,” said the actor.

On another occasion, Preity was nearly mowed down by a BEST bus on the roads of Mumbai.

“My friend and photographer Rakesh Shrestha pulled me back in the nick of time when a BEST bus was hurtling towards me at full speed. I shudder each time I think of that episode. But all these episodes have taught me that I want to live my present to the fullest, because the past is gone and I don’t know what the future holds for me,” said Preity.

The outspoken actor takes pride in what she thinks “speaking the truth”.

“Well, if one is aware of a problem, then as a responsible individual we should speak and try to solve it. My having an army background helped a lot. My upbringing was such that at all costs we were taught to speak nothing but the truth. I was the naughtiest child in the world but my parents gave in to my pranks because I never told  lies. The trait remains and proudly so,” she said.

Would she rope in her Bollywood friends if the need arises? “Be it the Kargil war or the Tsunami, the film industry has been the first industry to come forward. I remember Shah Rukh calling me up and telling me to keep a cheque ready to be contributed to the Prime Ministers Relief Fund and I didn’t even think twice before doing so. Likewise, I am absolutely sure that all actors would love to be a part of any cause,” said the actor.

With films keeping her busy, where does she get the time to pursue social causes “I would credit my manager Inder Malik completely for this. He makes time for all my endeavours, also keeping in mind that I don’t work on Sundays.”

No doubt the actor has put her weight behind National Geography’s new series Trapped. To be telecast every Monday night at 10 pm, the show will highlight the human spirit to fight against natural disasters.

Shameem Khan