Preity Zinta has offered an interesting perspective on what Indian audiences, particularly those living overseas, continue to expect from Bollywood. The actress believes that people living away from India can sometimes develop an even stronger emotional attachment to their cultural roots, and films become one of the ways through which they maintain that connection.
In a recent interaction with IANS, Preity spoke about the relationship between Indian cinema and audiences around the world. She stressed that filmmakers should not take viewers for granted and must deliver something that respects both their time and money. According to the actress, this becomes particularly significant for Indians living abroad, who often look towards cinema for a sense of familiarity and connection with home.
Why Preity Zinta Says NRIs Look for ‘Indian-ness’
Preity believes geographical distance does not necessarily weaken an individual's connection with Indian culture. In fact, she feels the opposite can sometimes happen.
According to the actress, people living outside India may become more conscious about preserving their identity because they are surrounded by a different culture. Films, music, food and traditions can therefore become important links to their roots.
She explained that people living abroad, including herself, may want to hold on to what they have rather than gradually lose their connection with their homeland. This, she believes, is one of the reasons NRIs continue to look for a sense of “Indian-ness” in the films they watch.
Her observation comes at an interesting time for Hindi cinema, which has increasingly explored stories based on Indian history, national identity, family relationships and cultural experiences.
‘The Audience Is the Same Worldwide’
Preity also pointed out that filmmakers should not assume that audiences outside India have different basic expectations from Indian viewers.
For her, the fundamental requirement remains simple: audiences want value for the money and time they spend watching a film.
The actress stressed that filmmakers should deliver what they promise and avoid disappointing viewers. Her comments underline an important aspect of the modern entertainment industry, where audiences have access to content from across the world and can easily compare different kinds of storytelling.
Whether someone watches a Bollywood film in Mumbai, New York, London or Dubai, the basic expectation of being entertained remains the same.
However, for overseas Indian audiences, there can be an additional emotional layer because a Hindi film may also remind them of their language, culture, family and memories of India.
Bollywood Has Changed Since Preity’s Debut
Preity Zinta has witnessed some of Bollywood's biggest transformations firsthand. She entered the film industry in the late 1990s with Mani Ratnam’s Dil Se and went on to become one of the most recognisable actresses of her generation.
Her career coincided with a period when Bollywood was increasingly producing films featuring NRI characters and international locations. Romantic stories involving characters living abroad became particularly popular during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
However, Preity now sees a noticeable change in the industry's storytelling priorities.
In another recent conversation, she observed that Bollywood has moved from the era of NRI romances towards stories centred on Indian pride, history and the armed forces.
This shift is particularly interesting because Preity herself was one of the leading faces of the era when NRI-centric Bollywood romances became a major trend.
From NRI Romances to Stories Rooted in India
During the early stages of her career, Preity appeared in several films that appealed strongly to both Indian and overseas audiences. Movies such as Veer-Zaara and Kal Ho Naa Ho became popular examples of Hindi cinema's ability to connect Indian emotions with international settings.
Today, according to Preity, the focus has changed. Filmmakers are increasingly exploring India's history, national pride and stories involving the armed forces.
Her own recent filmography reflects this transition to some extent. After an eight-year break from acting, she returned to the big screen with ** Batwara 1947 **, a period drama directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and set against the backdrop of India's Partition. The film released in August 2026.
The choice of a historical subject for her comeback makes her observations about the changing nature of Bollywood particularly relevant.
Preity Zinta’s Comeback Has Been Different
Preity's return to cinema has been closely watched because she spent several years away from the big screen while focusing on her personal life and family.
Her comeback with Batwara 1947 marked a major transition from the romantic roles that had defined much of her earlier career.
She is now preparing for another very different project, ** Vibe **, directed by Kunal Kemmu. The film gives her an action-oriented role and presents her in a more serious and physically demanding avatar. She has previously described the character as unlike anything she has played before.
The film is scheduled to arrive in theatres on September 18, 2026.
Preity Believes Comedy Can Bring Everyone Together
While discussing Indian cinema and its audience, Preity also highlighted the universal appeal of humour.
She believes comedy has a special ability to bring people together, especially at a time when modern life has become increasingly stressful.
According to her, audiences want opportunities to relax, laugh and temporarily escape the pressure of everyday life. A comedy that entertains viewers without making them feel that their intelligence is being insulted can therefore work across geographical and cultural boundaries.
Her comments point towards an important distinction: while cultural references can make a film particularly meaningful for Indian audiences, emotions such as humour, love, family and friendship can travel far beyond geographical borders.
What ‘Indian-ness’ Means for Global Audiences
Preity's comments also raise a broader question about the future of Indian cinema in the global market.
For years, Bollywood filmmakers have attempted to appeal to international audiences through foreign locations, large-scale productions and universal themes. But the growing global audience for Indian content has also created demand for stories that feel authentically Indian.
For an NRI watching a Hindi film thousands of kilometres away from home, elements such as Indian family dynamics, festivals, language, music, food, traditions and cultural values can create an emotional connection that goes beyond entertainment.
That may explain why Preity believes Indian audiences abroad continue to look for that familiar cultural identity in films.
A Veteran Actress Reflects on Bollywood’s Evolution
Preity Zinta's observations carry weight because she has experienced Bollywood across multiple eras. She entered the industry when filmmaking was transitioning technologically and remained active through the rise of multiplex cinema, digital filmmaking and the global expansion of Indian entertainment.
She has also seen audience expectations change dramatically.
Today, viewers have access to Hollywood, Korean dramas, European cinema and content from countless other countries. Streaming platforms have further increased the competition for audience attention.
In such an environment, simply putting a familiar face on screen may no longer be enough. Films have to offer audiences something emotionally meaningful, entertaining or culturally distinctive.
The Bigger Picture
Preity Zinta's comments about “Indian-ness” in films ultimately reflect a larger change in the relationship between Bollywood and its global audience.
Indian cinema is no longer consumed only within India's borders. Millions of people living abroad continue to watch Hindi films, but their relationship with Indian cinema can also be tied to identity and nostalgia.
At the same time, audiences everywhere expect filmmakers to respect their time and provide genuine entertainment.
For Preity, the ideal combination appears to be simple: a film should have an emotional connection with its audience, retain its cultural identity and, above all, offer an entertaining experience.
As Bollywood continues to expand globally, her observation may become increasingly relevant. The challenge for filmmakers will be to tell stories that feel authentically Indian while still speaking to audiences far beyond India's borders.
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