The Actress Who Said No to Rs 600 Crore and Walked Away at Her Peak

]In the early 2000s, Bollywood had its fair share of reigning queens, but few carried the effortless charm and fearless spirit of Preity Zinta. Known for her dimpled smile and girl-next-door appeal, she was one of the most bankable stars of her time.  

 

At the height of her career, Preity made headlines not just for her films but for her unwavering integrity. In 2011, filmmaker Shandar Amrohi, son of Kamal Amrohi, publicly announced his wish to leave his Rs 600 crore estate to her, admiring her as a daughter. Preity, however, declined the offer, stating she wouldn’t accept wealth she hadn’t earned.  

 

Her career was equally marked by bold decisions. In 2001, when Bollywood was under the shadow of underworld threats, she testified against gangster Chhota Shakeel in an extortion case, standing her ground when many remained silent.  

 

Despite her success in films like Dil Chahta Hai, Kal Ho Naa Ho, and Veer-Zaara, Preity stepped away from the industry at 32. Though she attempted a comeback in 2013-14, she eventually shifted focus to business, co-owning the IPL team Punjab Kings.  

 

Today, she splits her time between India and the U.S. with her husband, Gene Goodenough, and is set to return to the silver screen with Lahore 1947.  

 

Sources: India.com, BollywoodShaadis, Hindustan Times, DNA India.