Bonding Soured: When Rani denied being friends with Preity Zinta; advised her to talk less

Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta were the reigning silver screen actresses of the 2000s. The duo have starred together in several films like Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega (2000), Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2000), Veer Zaara (2005) and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006).

However, contrary to popular belief, Rani and Preity have never admitted to being friends. It is believed that the fallout between the two was linked to Preity bagging Karan Johar's Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) which also starred Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan. After Kareena rejected the film, Rani was hoping that her friend Karan would sign her for the project. However, she was heartbroken after learning that he had instead chosen Preity to star in the film.

Rani revealed this on an episode of Koffee With Karan in 2004, in which she had appeared along with Kareena Kapoor. The Mardaani (2014) actress said she was deeply hurt when Karan didn’t approach her for the film, and she had to learn this from somebody else. She admitted that she cried because of what she felt was a 'personal betrayal'.

Post Rani's emotional confession, Karan apologised to her for the hurt he caused. Kareena also revealed that she later regretted not taking up Karan's offer as Kal Ho Naa Ho turned out to be a blockbuster.

Later, Karan asked both the actresses about their equation they shared with Preity.

To this, Rani replied, “It was never a friendship, Karan, to be very honest. We shared a great working relationship. Me and Preity, we gel very well when we work together, especially when we did Chori Chori Chupke Chupke and Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega. That was the time when we both were starting off. Preity and Rani were always put together, I don’t know for what. We did that Piya Piya together.”

“I think maybe because me and Preity, we look the same, we both are the same kind of body language and all so we look great together onscreen. When journalists came on the sets, what they saw was that Preity and me were very comfortable on the sets with each other when we were working and I guess that was blown out of proportion in magazines and we were called Siamese twins. We tried to clear out to people that we are not really the best of friends and we don’t go out together but no one was buying that. But that is the fact,” she added.

Post this revelation, Karan showed Rani and Kareena a video message from Preity in which she talked about the two. Preity thanked Bebo for not doing Kal Ho Naa Ho. She also accused Kareena of acknowledging her only when Karan is around.

About Rani, Preity repeated what had already been said. On this, the former again added, “I think Preity talks too much, she should talk less. That’s the only thing I want to tell her through your show. I think she has an opinion about everything. I think she should cut that out.”

Noteworthy, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta and Kareena Kapoor Khan were recently seen bonding at Karan Johar's 50th birthday bash in Mumbai on May 25. The trio got along like a house of fire, clicking selfies and having fun. They even interacted with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit Nene during the bash and clicked several pictures that are now doing rounds on social media.