Actress Preity Zinta has shared her perspective on why Indian cinema continues to hold a strong emotional connection for audiences living abroad, saying NRIs, particularly those in the US, often look to films to stay connected with their Indian identity.
Speaking exclusively to IANS, the ‘Soldier’ actress said geographical boundaries do not diminish the bond audiences have with Indian cinema. She stressed that filmmakers must respect viewers’ time and money by offering meaningful entertainment.
“I think the audience is the same worldwide. You have to give them value for their money and their time. You cannot insult the audience by promising them something and giving them something else,” she said.
Preity said people living outside India can, in some ways, feel an even stronger need to preserve their cultural roots and identity.
“People that live outside India in some ways are more Indian than people that live in India. Because you want to hold on to, me included, you know. I want to hold on to what I have and not get lost in another place,” she said.
The actress explained that this emotional connection is one reason NRIs often look for a sense of “Indian-ness” in the films they watch.
“So, they definitely look for that Indian-ness,” she added.
At the same time, the ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’ actress believes humour has a universal appeal and can bring audiences together, especially as modern life becomes increasingly stressful.
“But there is no second place for humor. If humor is there and people can laugh about it and a film can entertain you without insulting your intelligence, it’s an all-out winner for everybody,” she said.
“Today, more than ever, it’s a high-stress society, high-stress life. There’s a lot more stress. So, I think comedies are the way to go because people want to just relax and have fun,” Preity concluded.
Preity is based in Los Angeles, where she lives with her husband, Gene Goodenough, and their two children. She continues to travel to India for her professional commitments.
The actress married Gene Goodenough in 2016 and welcomed twins through surrogacy in 2021. Since then, she has focused more on her family while maintaining a relatively quieter life in Los Angeles.
