Barring few incidents, IPL was good: Zinta

A: My role in the IPL was sub-divided into a lot of different things. I was a cricket fan and I was also learning about the game. So, there was always something new to learn and see. It was quite hectic too as there was a lot of travelling. The IPL was extremely exciting in terms of going and watching the matches because I didn't know much about cricket. For me, it was more of a fan sitting and watching a match. I could feel the highs and the lows of the game.

Q: You almost neglected Bollywood for IPL. Were you satisfied at your team's performance?

A: To be honest I am extremely proud of the way our team performed. It was not about certain individuals winning games for the team but players from different countries who have been absolute rivals, making their mark.

Our team came second in the league and it was very unfortunate that we lost the semifinal. But that's what my coach and friends said - that it's a sport and you need to take it in your stride.

Because I was a Bollywood star, everyone thought I wasn't that serious, so IPL was a huge a prospect for me and I told all my critics that I was on outdoor for two months. I wanted to learn about the game and earn everybody's respect out there so that I knew what I was talking about.

Q: You were so emotionally attached with the team that the defeat against Chennai Super Kings brought you to tears, something unusual for Preity.

A: Nothing ever brought me to tears. I don't know why people think so. But yes, it was a big blow and I can't deny that.

Q: You are one of the franchise owners who had a tough time, be it at the launch of the team when you were hit by something, to the Sree-Bhajji 'slapgate', to Ness Wadia's showdown with the Mohali SSP. Did you say to yourself at any time that enough was enough?

A: Well you have to take the good with the bad. It's always the media that blows up everything. Sometimes even small incidents get blown out of proportion but at the launch of our team, something hit me in the eye, I don't know what it was, so I started the IPL with a black eye for 10 days. My eyes then turned to green, then blue, to purple to finally pink and then it went off.

So I had to wear glasses and I remember one of my team players told me that somebody in Chandigarh came up to him and said that Preity is wearing glasses and I said why would somebody wear dark glass in the middle of night. I was wearing them only because my eyes got hurt.

There have been one or two unfortunate incidents, barring that the entire IPL was very important from our perspective. Our team performed so well, we got huge support from the local people. I would like to concentrate on a lot of positives rather than the negative aspects.

Q: Having the love of your life by your side helps. Are you proud to be so active in a game that's dominated by men?

A: I never like to talk about my personal life but I am very proud of the fact that I am the only female franchise owner from a glamourous background in the IPL. So, it had its downfalls as I had to work hard to make a point that I was equally competent, dedicated towards my work. I am not here for glamour but at the end of the day, I feel proud to be here and no amount of gossip and rumours can beat the joy of watching your team giving its best out there. I have worked really very hard to be where I am today and I am thankful to God.

Q: Your team lost two games initially, but then bounced back strongly. Did you give some pep talk to the players?

A: From my experience as a film star I told them about the need of team effort. The defeat in a way brought us together as a team and it's better to lose in the beginning than to lose in the end.

Some of our Sri Lankan and West Indies players arrived eight hours before the first match and still managed to put in their best efforts. Our team showed that it does not depend on a few players. Almost every player won matches for us, be it Yuvraj, VRV, Piyush, Sangakkara, Shaun Marsh, Mahela.

All the players contributed in creating the winning momentum for our team. I would still maintain that all through we won as a team and lost as a team. For me my team and people of Punjab are like my family and I would concentrate only on the positives of the team.

Q: You looked even more involved than Shahrukh Khan.

A: Well, I don't compare and believe in doing things in my life, irrespective of other individuals. I think Shahrukh had too many work commitments and it would be unfair to say anything like that for him but I wanted to be there for every match.

Q: Did you sideline your film commitments for your first business venture?

A: No. I planned really well so it went as per plan. I did not skip any of my film commitments.

Q: There were a lot of rumors and gossip during the IPL. Were you disturbed by them?

A: Gossip and rumours during the IPL hardly disturbed me. I do not entertain petty people. I made an investment in the IPL, I put my heart and soul in to it and if I am going to be accused simply because I am female, then it would not be right.

We, as a team, are one big family and I am the way I am, irrespective of the camera. If somebody wants to make stupid gossip about me, it goes to show their mental level. After 10 years in the film industry, I have been respected in my profession and I expect to be respected in all my endeavors.

Q: What are the areas that you need to address in the next edition of IPL?

A: We need to improve a lot of things. We need to minimize errors, as we are keen to address a few more areas in the next edition. We also want to promote cricket at the grass-root level in the north. We are working on a few other options, to explore other challenges as well in the coming days. Let's see how it turns out to be.

Q: According to reports, Shahrukh's team has managed to break-even in the first year itself primarily due to the marketing gimmicks. Do you think you could have done more from the marketing perspective?

A: I am not complaining about the marketing perspectives. Things have been as per our expectations and since it was the first year, we did not have too many financial prospects but we hope to do better in the next edition.

Q: Are you cricket savvy now?

A: Well, not really. But gradually I have come to know a few nitty-gritties. Ahead of the IPL, all I knew was about fours and sixes.