Throwback: When Preity Zinta faced backlash for saying Shah Rukh Khan engages in conversation with 'unattractive women'

Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta have long been celebrated as one of Bollywood's most beloved on-screen pairs, captivating audiences with their undeniable chemistry in films such as Dil Se, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, and Veer-Zaara. Their performances have not only left a lasting impression on fans but have also contributed significantly to the romantic landscape of Bollywood.
However, a comment once made by Preity during a viral interview had sparked considerable backlash from netizens, raising questions about perceptions of beauty and the dynamics of celebrity interactions.
In the interview clip that was shared on reddit by BollyBlindsNGossip, Zinta remarked on SRK's habit of engaging with what she referred to as "unattractive women" during their stage shows. She stated, “Humare tour mein bhi jab bhi aap kisi lady ko bulate the for an interaction, I used to always wonder ki why Shah Rukh calls the most unattractive woman.”
This comment prompted an immediate and intense reaction online. Shah Rukh Khan interjected during her statement, defending his perspective by saying, “I find them very beautiful! I find women beautiful! I want my whole life to be surrounded by women. I think they are conscious, they are gentle, they are soft, they are pretty, they smell good, they sound good, they feel good, they are lovely! I like women very, very much. And I don’t hide this at all. But my love is not that I have to turn it into a physicality, or into a relationship. Stay as you are, I love you. And I will tell you and I do” .
Despite the ‘Jawan’ star’s thoughtful response, many netizens took issue with Zinta’s choice of words. Comments flooded social media platforms criticizing her for what they perceived as an inappropriate judgment on beauty standards.
One Reddit user expressed their discontent by stating, “Preity was petty here. He used to call fans who are eager to meet him; I don’t think the beauty parameter would have ever crossed in his mind on those moments! Those girls/ladies loved SRK and he just fulfilled their wish.”
Another user questioned Zinta's authority on attractiveness: “Most unattractive women??? Who gave her the power to decide who is attractive and who is not” .
This backlash against the ‘Lakshya’ actress underscores how quickly public sentiment can shift and Shahrukh’s response serves as a reminder of the importance of appreciating people for who they are beyond superficial judgments.