But when the perky actress got to know the foul play going around she lashed out from the distant land by saying, "I wish I could give people a reason to gossip about me."
The pretty lady has been away from Mumbai for over a month now, and says she's terribly homesick.
"But you know what's the saddest part of being away for so long? People get a chance to spread false rumours about you. The latest about me is that I've split from Ness Wadia."
Rubbishing the rumour, Preity chuckles, "I'm going to be shooting here for so long that I think I should just settle down in Australia. I'm homesick. I miss mom and Mumbai in that order."
"According to my horoscope, I'm destined to be globe-trotting for most of this year, just like it happened last year."
After Melbourne, Preity moves to Sidney to shoot for Karan Johar's film. "So it's Australia all the way. I don't think I'll be back in India until October 2005."
Gung-ho about her new film, Zinta says, "Fortunately, Salaam Namaste is shaping up quite well. Siddharth knows his job well. Whether it was Farhan Akhtar in Dil Chahta Hai or Honey Irani in Armaan, I have always enjoyed working with new directors. They are so open to ideas. When I was shooting for Veer-Zaara with Yash uncle, I just let him guide me through the film. Making a film is far more interactive with a newcomer like Siddharth."
Going into a flashback, Preity says, "I still remember when Siddharth came to meet me in Goa and read the script of Salaam Namaste. He thought I'd say no because I have a reputation for being choosy.
But one has to be careful.
One wrong move, and you're gone!"