'Sometimes it's scary': Preity Zinta slams intrusive paparazzi culture

In the candid chat session with her fans on X, Preity Zinta has called out the intrusive pap culture saying that she doesn't like when people click her children's photos or jump at her.

Preity Zinta has recently addressed the extremely intrusive pap culture of Bollywood, calling it "scary".

Zinta, whose IPL Team Punjab Kings is in an excellent form and on a winning spree, conducted a Q&A session on X called PZChat.

In the candid chat session, Zinta answered several questions from her fans.

However, one answer that turned heads was about the pap culture.

One user asked Zinta, "Between fame, privacy, and peace of mind… which one did you have to sacrifice the most?"

To which she gave a firm and deep response.

Addressing the pap culture and revealing that she doesn't like being clicked without permission, she wrote, "Nothing is a sacrifice…. I have learnt to accept things the way they are & manage expectations. Now life is a big balancing act for me because I’m a very private person. I do love interacting with my fans & not disappointing anyone by giving them pictures but at the same time one has to set boundaries with people & the media."

She further added that while she never says no to a picture request unless the situation doesn't permit, she wants people to respect boundaries.

"I don’t like it when people or media try to take photographs of my children ( that’s non negotiable ) & take pictures of me without asking cuz when anyone asks, I always say yes unless I’m in a rush to catch a plane or when i’m in a temple. I also don’t like paparazzi following me around & jumping at me out of nowhere," Zinta added.

Pointing out that the culture is scary and that it sometimes becomes too intrusive, she continued, "Sometimes it’s scary. I know a lot of the current crop of actors invite the paparazzi to come & photograph them and I do understand their need to constantly be in the news, but it’s not how I operate, so it is a bit unnerving. I’m absolutely ok with them at events ( cuz it their job) but when they show up outside my gym or hide outside my building it’s a bit too much."

Insisting that apart from being an actor, she is a human who needs her own downtime, she clarified that it's not a complain but a genuine reflection of how she feels about paparazzi.

"I’m also human & I need to stay grounded and have my downtime ! Having said that I am extremely grateful for all the opportunities I have and the fact that people love me so I’m not complaining, just being honest about how I feel," she concluded while adding a red heart emoji to her answer.

'No woman wants to be a trophy'

While responding to another question, which was more of a simple fan interaction, Zinta firmly clarified that women are not trophies.

During the chat, a user wrote, "There’s a reason why she hasn’t won a trophy cuz she is the trophy."

To which, Zinta replied, "Thank you that's very sweet but honestly speaking no woman wants to be a trophy. Trophy's are owned women are not ! Trophies are kept in glass cupboards and a women's place is in your life & in your heart. Filmy question ke liye filmy answer for you. Ting!"

On the work front, Zinta is currently gearing up for her upcoming film Lahore 1947 with Sunny Deol. The film is set to release on August 12, 2026.