“Only if you’re under-15 are you allowed to join in,” Preity screamed excitedly about her “first day out with kids”. Preity who was in Goa, shooting an ad, returned to Mumbai in time to give the kids a time of their life on October 18. “I had a huge screening of Jaan-e-Mann, strictly for children under-15. Can you believe, I have not been in India to enjoy the release of any of my films since Koi…Mil Gaya. Even for Veer-Zaara, I wasn’t here. After Koi…Mil Gaya, Jaan-e-Mann is another child-friendly film…. It’s clean, funny and very easy on the eyes. Since I was here for one of my releases after a long time, I wanted it to be a special occasion.” Why just kids? “I wanted to have a blast. Kids love you unconditionally. They won’t come to the film with pre-conceived notions. More than that I wanted to give kids from the Make A Wish Foundation and other charitable institutions a reason to smile.”

Jaan-e-Mann elicits high marks for its debutant director from Preity. “Shirish Kunder is a man of few words but with the strongest visual sense. Since he’s a film editor he knows exactly where to cut, and what. Sometimes during shooting I wasn’t sure of what he was doing. We’d rehearse and rehearse and then I’d wonder where it was going. But then I’d see the final shot and go, ‘Wow!’. Jaan-e-Mann is one straight from the heart. It doesn’t try hard to make a statement. But it’s a visual treat. And my compliments to the DOP. I can’t tell you how good the film is looking, and not just my face.”

Preity shot simultaneously for Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and Jaan-e-Mann. “And both partly in New York. But because I was so madeup in KANK I kept my look and makeup very simple in Jaan-e-Mann. Also Shirish wanted the makeup to be minimalist. And to create a different look becomes easier when you’re doing both films together. KANK was more about power-dressing. In Jaan-e-Mann I’m softer, more feminine. My character goes from being a college girl to a time zone that takes her somewhere else altogether.”

After the tensions of playing a woman on the brink of divorce in KANK, Jaan-e-Mann helped Preity unwind. “One barely saw me smile in KANK. I play a much happier character in Jaan-e-Mann. In KANK I was fighting my favourite actor. Fighting Shah Rukh wasn’t easy. To be up against him was very taxing.” But Preity loved her character in KANK. “So what if I didn’t have as big a role as Shah Rukh or Rani? Karan couldn’t have made a seven-hour film. After doing 24-25 films it looks a bit petty for me to be measuring my footage. Being at the centre of a plot isn’t a concern.”

Preity loved working with Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan in Jaan-e-Mann. “I worked with Akshay in Sangharsh many years ago. That was a very serious film. I loved working with Akshay. It was an important film for both of us. Akshay has got only better. He looks and acts better. He’d be on the sets at five in the morning. I’d be like, ‘Don’t you have a life?’ I’ve never seen him lose his cool. He’s wonderful, always happy at work. And he’s grown so much as an actor. As for Salman, I’ve worked in three films with him before this. His emotional scenes in Jaan-e-Mann are his best ever. Salman has his own style. He stands out in a crowd. The chemistry between Akshay and Salman is awesome.”

She’s been living out of suitcases for so long, it isn’t funny anymore. “I like travelling. But suddenly I’d wake up one fine day in some country and want to go back home. But in half an hour I am back to normal. Yes, I’m strong and sensible. The long absence makes me love my country even more.

“I was shooting for Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom in London. The director Shaad Ali was a revelation…very nice, very cute. It was me and my two fellow-Aquarians Bobby and Abhishek. And you’ve to see Amitabh Bachchan in Jhoom…. Such energy! I had an ear-to-ear grin throughout. I had the time of my life.” Preity shares a very special bonding with Abhishek. “He’s amazing to work with. He and I had little bits together in Salaam Namaste and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. But this was our first fullfledged film together. I’ve come back from London loving him even more. He’s so adorable. Absolutely fantastic. While working away from home I saw various sides to his personality, both the mature and childlike sides. As for Bobby, he isn’t chatty. But not quite reserved either…thank God I did a fun film like Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom. Even Jaan-e-Mann has a very strong emotional quotient.”

Preity wonders about the variety of costars she has had, from both the Deol brothers, Sunny and Bobby, to Shah Rukh Khan and Abhishek. “I guess I’ve been lucky. All my costars have been extremely nice. I’ve shared a great rapport with all of them. As for the female costars, they’re fine, too. Except that I’m expected to become best friends with each one I work with. I don’t make best friends with my costars, male or female. But Abhishek is a buddy.”

Jaan-e-Mann is Preity’s second release this year. “Now that I’m back in the country I need to sign another film. I wish they’d come to me with something seriously tempting. So far I’ve been picky. But I’m okay with my pace. The minute I sign a film I get another, better offer, which I can’t do because I’ve already allotted my dates. That’s been happening to me for two years now. But, yes, I’m signing a new film very soon.”