Exclusive! Mazhavillu actress Preeti Jhangiani: I signed the movie to enjoy a vacation in Austria

Remember the enchanting Veena from the evergreen Malayalam romantic movie 'Mazhavillu'? The one who captured the hearts of Malayali youth for decades—none other than Preeti Jhangiani. After 25 years, we’ve finally caught up with her! In an exclusive interview with ETimes, the actress reminisces about her unforgettable debut in Malayalam cinema.
Preeti Jhangiani shot to fame with the iconic Nima Sandal soap advertisement, which caught the attention of Malayalam director Dinesh Baboo.He approached the stunning Mumbai model to offer her first-ever film role.
"I was establishing myself in modeling, and my music video 'Yeh Hai Prem' had become a big hit when director Dinesh Baboo approached me for the film. At that time, I wasn't interested in acting, even though I had offers from Bollywood. However, with some strikes happening at colleges in Mumbai, I found myself with a break. I immediately said yes when I learned the shoot would be in Austria for 40 days. Honestly, I signed on just to enjoy a vacation in Austria! (Chuckles) I didn’t think about the character, the makeup, or how to act—nothing! I was just thrilled about going to Austria."

However, the actress admits that the entire filmmaking experience was quite a shock for her. Starting her movie career by portraying a layered character in a non-native language was certainly no easy task.
"It was really challenging for someone like me, acting for the first time, to start with such a mature role. I was inexperienced and quite shy. I can’t thank my director enough for his efforts to bring out the best in me. He was very particular that I memorised all my dialogues. I worked hard to learn them because I didn’t want to rely on any notes or boards that could ruin the essence of the scene. I even memorized the entire lyrics for the songs before each take," she recalled.
Reflecting on her time working with Kunchacko Boban, Preeti mentioned that they shared a very friendly bond during filming.
"We got along really well; he was incredibly friendly and sweet throughout the shoot. Vineeth acted as a mentor, giving me valuable tips. Even though we’re not in touch now, I’m sure that when we meet again, it will feel like reuniting with long-term friends," Preeti added.

When asked about any fun incidents from the shoot, she fondly recalled how the entire crew felt like family.
"We all stayed in a small hostel and often cooked for each other, which created a close bond. The whole unit felt like family, and the camaraderie was wonderful. I never felt strange or awkward at any moment. There was a fun incident toward the end of the shoot—we were filming at an Australian lady's house, and of course, it got messy. She became quite upset and complained to us. In response, the entire crew came together to clean the house and left it spotless for her," she recalled.
After 'Mazhavillu,' Preeti signed on for 'Mohabbatein,' marking a significant step in her career as she flourished in the Hindi film industry. Today, she is a successful entrepreneur and co-founder of the arm wrestling championship Pro Panja League. While she’s embraced her entrepreneurial side, she hasn't left acting behind; she recently ventured into OTT with the web series 'Kafas.'
Although Preeti hasn’t appeared in any other Malayalam films since 'Mazhavillu,' she expresses a strong desire to make a comeback to Mollywood after two decades.
"No, I didn't receive any offers from Malayalam after 'Mazhavillu.' Perhaps it was because I quickly signed on with Yash Raj for 'Mohabbatien,' which might have made Malayalam producers think I was unapproachable. I would truly love to work on a Malayalam film if a good story comes my way. They’re creating wonderful movies in the industry, and I would love to be a part of it again," she said.
As the Instagram era continues to celebrate the 1999 movie even after two decades, Preeti wholeheartedly thanks the Malayali audience for their unwavering love and support.
"Even today, I get tagged in videos and photos from 'Mazhavillu.' It feels blessed to know that the movie, my character, and the songs are still cherished in Kerala. Very few people have the fortune of being remembered and loved for their characters after so many years. I’m so grateful for all the love," she concluded.