Actress Preity Zinta recently addressed confusion surrounding her real name through a light-hearted Instagram video. Dismissing claims stating her birth name was Pritam Singh, later changed to Preity Zinta, she debunked this misinformation. Shedding light on the origin, Preity shared a funny anecdote behind the nickname. Setting the record straight, she blamed Bobby Deol for giving her this moniker while they were filming Soldier. Clarifying further, Preity highlighted that she hadn’t altered her name entirely but simply added a G, initials of her husband Gene Goodenough. Surprisingly, the Animal actor responded and apologised to the actress for any confusion caused by the nickname.
Sharing a lengthy note on her social media handle, the Kal Ho Na Ho actress wrote, “Over the years I have consistently read in various media articles that I have changed my name from Pritam Singh Zinta to Preity Zinta. I have tried to set the record straight so many times by telling everyone that, on the sets of “Soldier,” Bobby Deol called me Pritam Singh as a Joke (pls ask him why he chose that name when u meet him) The movie became a blockbuster, our friendship flourished & since then Pritam Singh – the name is still stuck to me, Bachaao. So one last time folks – Pritam Singh was NEVER my name. It’s always been Preity. Hope this clarifies everything once and for all.”
View this post on Instagram
Soon after Preity Zinta’s post went viral, Bobby Deol responded with surprise, acknowledging the unexpected confusion caused by the nickname they shared during their time together on set. He wrote, “Preetam Singh I gave you this name. It suits you but sorry didn’t realise it would confuse people. I love you my Preetam Singh.”
Preity and Bobby celebrated Soldier’s 25th anniversary earlier this year. Directed by Abbas-Mustan, the movie holds a special place in Preity’s heart, as the film was her first signed project in the industry. However, her actual debut happened with Mani Ratnam’s Dil Se, which was released prior to Soldier. Interestingly, Soldier emerged as a box office success, as it secured the second highest grossing film spot in India for that year, following Shah Rukh Khan’s Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
The actress has been residing in Los Angeles ever since she got married to Gene Goodenough on February 29, 2016. Their family expanded on November 11, 2021, with the arrival of their twins, a son named Jai and a daughter named Gia, born via surrogacy.
