Is B-town playing it safe in Preity Zinta-Ness Wadia spat?

Bollywood may have been vocal about several issues but the film industry has preferred to stay mum on the recent controversy between Preity Zinta and her ex Ness Wadia

Bollywood has had its share of controversies and on several occasions, it has sought to defend its own. But it turns out that the same is not true in all cases.

Also read: Not selling IPL stake or settling in US: Preity Zinta

While Preity’s character has been repeatedly questioned since the news broke out, surprisingly not many of her tinseltown friends have rushed to defend her. Pic/ Bipin Kokate

A recent instance would be the Preity Zinta-Ness Wadia episode. The bubbly actress, who was in a relationship with the industrialist until a few years ago, recently filed charges of abuse against him. And while Preity’s character has been repeatedly questioned since the news broke out, surprisingly not many of her tinseltown friends have rushed to defend her.

Also Read: Preity-Ness case: Cops probe mafia threats to Wadia clan

The matter is in court right now. So it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to comment on this
— Amitabh Bachchan

This brings us to the question: Is Bollywood too scared to stand up for its own? Even if one had to look at the Preity-Ness spat, it is clear that the film fraternity is measuring each word before speaking up on the subject, if at all.

Also read: Ness Wadia abused me in front of spectators: Preity Zinta

So while some people from the industry are supporting the actress, two of her closest friends, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan have been dodging questions about the same at their public appearances.

You are at the wrong place and you are asking the wrong question. There’s no answer to this query right now
— Salman Khan

Big stars stay away
On one hand, SRK said, “It’s a personal issue. It’s an issue she has brought up and I assume it will be dealt legally. As a friend of hers, I will just talk to her.” Whereas Sallu tackled it in a different fashion. “You are at the wrong place and you are asking the wrong question. There’s no answer to this query right now and neither do I have any right to give an answer,” he said. In fact, the actor even broke into a jig to avoid answering more questions on the same.

It's an issue she has brought up and I assume it will be dealt legally. As a friend of hers, I will just talk to her
— Shah Rukh Khan

It may be pointed out that at a recent event held to promote his upcoming TV show, even the Big B evaded the question. “The matter is in court right now. So it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to comment on this,” he said.

Saif Ali Khan said at a recent event that if Preity needs his support, he’d always be there by her side. But he was quick to add that Ness is a friend too. “I don’t know what’s happened and as far as I am concerned, he has always been a gentleman. I have no idea exactly what happened, so I need to keep an open mind till I know more. It is a very unfortunate incident, as they are both friends.”

I don't know the exact context of the case, so what can I say? Preity has always stood up for her rights, and that is great. If she felt it was the right thing to do, then it is the right thing. But full marks to Preity for having the courage. Why should anyone keep quiet if they want to speak up about it, or if they want to go to the police?
— Vidya Balan 

A sliver of support
However, some stars have been speaking up for her. Preity has found support in Vidya Balan. During a recent media interaction, she said, “I don’t know the exact context of the case, so what can I say? Preity has always stood up for her rights, and that is great. If she felt it was the right thing to do, then it is the right thing. But full marks to Preity for having the courage. Why should anyone keep quiet if they want to speak up about it, or if they want to go to the police?”

I have no idea exactly what happened, so I need to keep an open mind till I know more. It is a very unfortunate incident, as they are both friends
— Saif Ali Khan

Filmmaker Kiran Rao
is among those who have been forthcoming in their support. She said, “It’s unfortunate to hear that, it is always awful to hear someone from the film fraternity feel they are alone. So I hope she doesn't feel that way. This is a very personal issue though. I can’t comment on the issue because I don’t know the details but I do hope she manages to resolve the issue.”

It's unfortunate to hear that, it is always awful to hear someone from the film fraternity feel they are alone
— Kiran Rao

Preity’s best friend and filmmaker Karan Johar too has promised her his ‘love and unconditional support’. “My friendship with her is not only professional, but also deeply personal,” he said.

My friendship with her is not only professional, but also deeply personal
— Karan Johar

Abhay Deol, who has known the actress for many years, says that he wants to believe Preity’s version of events. “If she is going through a hard time and what she’s saying is true, we should all support her. Preity is known for putting her stance in front of the world regardless of consequences.

If she is going through a hard time and what she’s saying is true, we should all support her
— Abhay Deol

The nation was stunned when she testified against the underworld in court. No other Bollywood actor has dared to do the same. By far, she is the bravest actress I know as she never feared standing up for the right and condemning the wrong,” he says.

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