Preity Zinta reacts to Rs 18 crore loan controversy, talks about paid PR

Preity Zinta addressed rumours about an alleged Rs 18 crore loan and said the reports were "fake news." The actor also revealed why she prefers organic social media engagement over paid PR.

In Short

• Preity Zinta addressed Rs 18 crore loan controversy on social media
• She values organic connection over paid PR and dislikes fake news
• Preity criticised social media for enabling paparazzi-like behaviour

Preity Zinta recently addressed the controversy surrounding reports about an alleged Rs 18 crore loan during an interaction with fans on X. The actor also spoke about paid PR, fake news and the impact of social media while celebrating Punjab Kings’ strong run in the Indian Premier League.

During the Q&A session, Preity said she enjoys social media because it allows her to directly connect with people without depending on paid publicity.

She wrote, "I’m not sure how to answer this question, but social media has completely changed the game. I like it because it gives me a direct opportunity to connect with people. I’m not a big fan of paid Media or of buying PR, so this kind of Organic connection is a big plus for me (sic)."

However, she also pointed out the downside of social media and said anyone with a phone and camera can now act like paparazzi. She added that people can buy followers, views and likes, and claimed she has seen both business personalities and people from the film industry do it.

Preity clarified that she does not judge others for using such strategies, but said it is not something she personally believes in.

She further spoke about fake news and recalled rumours that surfaced after her visit to the Maha Kumbh Mela.

Addressing the controversy, she wrote, "Sometime ago I went to the Maha Kumbh Mela and suddenly there was all this manufactured news about me taking an 18 crore loan and not paying it and back & blah blah blah. Some journalist wrote about it, another journalist copied that post and it spread like wildfire (sic)."

She added that despite repeatedly clarifying that the reports were false, people continue to question her about it and make comments online.

All about the controversy

The controversy centred on allegations that Preity Zinta had a Rs 18 crore loan from the New India Cooperative Bank "written off" under suspicious circumstances. In early 2025, political opponents of the BJP claimed the loan was waived in exchange for her promoting political narratives on social media.

Zinta shut down the claims, calling them "fake news" and a smear campaign. She clarified that while she did have an overdraft facility with the bank years ago, she had fully repaid her dues and closed the account long before the controversy began.

On the work front, Preity is set to make her Bollywood comeback with Lahore 1947, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and produced under Aamir Khan’s banner. The film also stars Sunny Deol and is slated to release this year.

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