I know about fours and sixes: Preity

As a present for her birthday on January 31, beau and businessman Ness Wadia could not have given the lovely Preity Zinta anything as exciting as a partnership in the Indian Premier League deal he cut with her and partners Karan Paul and Mohit Puri last week. They bid Rs 300 crore and got the Mohali team in the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) thrilling new T20 format starting this April. Preity is happy to be part of the IPL especially since Shah Rukh Khan, with whom she started her career in Dil Se, has bid for and won the Kolkata team. “Today we’re both making our debuts in cricket,” said Preity. This is not the first time she is doing business with Ness. She’s also reportedly a part of (and endorses) the Wadia family airline. “But this is my first bona fide business venture. I’ve never before submitted a tender and felt the thrill of watching it materialise. I can’t be a sleeping partner in any business. I’d give everyone nightmares! Can you imagine me keeping quiet? Not when the entertainment industry is rocking. Cricket and Bollywood coming together is huge,” laughed Preity. Do their professional alliances indicate a life together? “I don’t know,” replied Preity, “but Ness and I work well together. We hope to make the IPL deal a success. It’s the first time I’m sitting in a boardroom. So many firsts for me! I’m excited. It’s very different from working on a film where you’re on your own when ‘action’ is called on camera.” The perky Bollywood actress happens to be the only woman in the IPL. “I know,” said Preity, “why do boys have to have all the fun? It’s 2008, women should get more active in business. I won’t pretend to be a huge cricket buff, but now I’ve no choice, I’m learning about the game. I’m reading books, watching old matches. I think cricket is a gentleman’s sport, regardless of winning and losing. And I know how to hold a bat and I know what sixers and fours are all about!”