Preity Zinta’s long-awaited comeback to Bollywood came with her making some compromises, including taking on 18-hour shifts while filming her upcoming movie, Vibe.
Speaking at the trailer launch of the highly anticipated spy comedy on Wednesday, September 2, in Mumbai, the 51-year-old Indian actress and entrepreneur revealed that she voluntarily chose to work long hours on the project so she could return to her children, who reside in the United States.
“Every day we had very long shoots. So, each to his own and of course, the reason I was working 18 hours is that I wanted to finish my work as soon as I could and go back to America to be with my kids,” Zinta said when asked about her stance on the conversation surrounding long working hours in the film industry.
She revealed that she was so committed to completing her work as soon as possible that, while she was in India filming Vibeshe did not even step out socially or make plans to hang out.
The Kal Ho Naa Ho star explained, “It’s not always that everyone is laughing on set. You want to get the job done. There was a lot of action. There were many other variables. Sometimes it was raining. Sometimes you were sick. So, keeping all that in mind. So my whole thing was, ‘I don’t mind doing this.’ Because I’m coming to India. And I’m here for 30-40 days.”
The controversy surrounding working hours in the industry dates back to last year, when reports claimed Deepika Padukone left Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit following a disagreement with the filmmakers over her proposed eight-hour workday.
Inside Preity Zinta’s comeback
Preity Zinta returned to Bollywood in August 2026 with the period drama Batwara 1947 (also referred to as Lahore 1947), ending an eight-year absence from the big screen. Her last theatrical release was the action comedy Bhaiyaji Superhitwhich premiered in November 2018.
About Vibe
Vibewritten, directed, produced, and headlined by Kunal Khemu under his production banner, serves as his follow-up to his successful directorial debut, Madgaon Express. The film also stars Preity Zinta, Sparsh Shrivastava, and Vanshika Dhir and is set to hit theaters on September 18, 2026.
It follows two unprepared friends whose ordinary lives are thrown into chaos when they unexpectedly come across a national security threat.