Remember the demure and enigmatic Kiran, carrying a white salwar swimsuit, in ‘Mohabbatein’? She was the love curiosity of Jimmy Sheirgill within the film, and later of all of the boys in Y2K!
Another trace wanted? Or, do you’ve gotten the reply? Well, let’s rewind to Year 1998, to the ‘Chhuimui si tum lagti ho’ lady, who sneaked into everybody’s hearts with the tune and went on to cement her place along with her stint within the movie.
Preeti Jhangiani, the then 19-year-old grew to become a Bollywood sensation in a single day, however as time glided by she light out of the limelight.
Still, that smile hasn’t modified through the years. And Preeti is again in motion — and the way! She has accomplished taking pictures for a few motion pictures and in addition a present, however most significantly, the ‘Chhuimui’ lady is all set to enthral followers with a ‘Panja’ problem as nicely!
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For, the 42-year-old Preeti is now the most important promoter of arm-wrestling in India. Along along with her husband Parvin Dabas, an actor as nicely, launched the Pro Panja League (PPL) in 2020. The couple are actually engaged on fixing dates for the league this season.
From enjoying a shy lady’s function in ‘Mohabbatein’ to being the face of an aggressive contact sport equivalent to arm-wrestling, Preeti has come a great distance in her skilled profession. IANS obtained in contact along with her and spoke about PPL in addition to her appearing tasks. Excerpts:
IANS: Preeti, you might be again in motion and not too long ago you’ve gotten been appointed president of the Maharashtra Arm-Wrestling Association. How and when did this love for arm-wrestling start?
Preeti: Yeah (smiles!), we’ve simply made a really, very thrilling announcement not too long ago. We’re gearing up for our first season (of PPL), which is able to take off in a while. As quickly because the dates are finalised, we’ll announce them and yeah, so we’re gearing up for the thrilling season.
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When was the primary time we noticed a ‘Panja’ match? Well, we had been invited as friends to one of many nationals, which was held in Delhi. When we noticed that match and we noticed the gamers, and there have been like greater than 1,000 children in that room, all athletes. We didn’t even know at the moment that ‘Panja’ or arm-wrestling was so big.
And not simply within the North. Later, we discovered that it’s fashionable throughout India. Our athletes, not simply our star athletes, are from throughout India. They are from Kerala, which has an enormous pool of champs. implausible gamers, each women and men, and from Madhya Pradesh, UP, Gujarat, Assam, the Northeast, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra.
IANS: How did you’re taking the decision to launch PPL and take arm-wrestling to a brand new stage?
Preeti: The pool of gamers is big and there’s an enormous stage of curiosity and keenness for the game. And the federation has been conducting beginner tournaments for thus a few years. So, that’s once we realised it’s big, however that was not the one purpose for taking over the promotion of ‘Panja’.
That’s a giant choice and it was not taken evenly, not simply because there are such a lot of gamers and since they’ve been conducting championships for thus lengthy, however as a result of if you watch the game it’s so thrilling.
I believe if you’re sitting as an viewers, you simply need to soar up and be part of the athlete on the desk as a result of all people feels they will do it. Panja is one thing all people feels they will do and so they have performed. So it’s a really thrilling sport to watch.
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IANS: There are already a number of leagues occurring in India. What do you suppose wants to be completed to promote PPL, and the challenges forward?
Preeti: Do you suppose another league can boast of greater than 250 million views throughout social media in lower than 4 months? No.
So, I believe we’re having the ability to advertise in the appropriate approach. We are attempting to advertise not simply by placing in cash as a result of I don’t suppose that’s the best way it really works.
You have to be progressive about how hou promote your so-called product. We don’t see it as a product, we see it as a sport that individuals need to watch. It has an intrinsically Indian base.
Everybody in India is aware of about ‘Panja’. We’re attempting to advertise innovatively. And by being on Sony, I believe we’ve been one step forward now on promotions.
IANS: How many federations are there in India apart from the one in Maharashtra? Are there plans to set up extra such associations?
Preeti: None. See, in each sport in India, this is a problem. Many little federations crop up. I’m proper now part of a state federation. It is a problem. Yes, in lots of sports activities there are lots of authorized points occurring as nicely.
IANS: What about recognition from the Sports Ministry?
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Preeti: We are engaged on that as nicely. I may give you readability on the whole concern in perhaps only a month. We are fully and virtually completed. So, let me provide you with readability on this level by the tip of the month.
IANS: What is the method of getting right into a group or the competitors? Are there any particular necessities?
Preeti: We have already got our gamers — the 180 gamers who’re going to take part within the league are already chosen by way of our nationwide event, which was held final yr in Gwalior, the place that they had greater than 800 to 1000 individuals chosen from the federation.
Yes, these are athletes who’re part of the federation with whom we’re affiliated. From them, we chosen 180 prime athletes, who can be part of the six groups which are going to be part of the league. There can be six weight classes for males and two for ladies.
Men, ladies and specifically abled. This is part of our league, which I really need to discuss, as a result of ladies and the specifically abled will get the identical prize cash, the identical amenities. The primary seed, whether or not he’s male, feminine or specifically abled, will get the identical prize cash as nicely the identical amenities and every little thing else.
IANS: How far have you ever progressed plans for PPL?
Preeti: I would like to make it very clear that we’ve not began the league to promote ourselves or push ourselves ahead wherever on tv or, you understand, we would like to push the game. If we do take anyone on, we are going to strive for anyone who is from a sport, who can encourage our athletes and who can stand for what the game believes in.
Even if it is anyone who is from the world of leisure, it could be somebody who will be, who is, an inspiration, and who matches the spot and the fervour and the ability it requires. So sure, that’s on the playing cards as nicely.
IANS: You have some Bollywood assignments in your kitty and now the PPL as nicely. How robust is it to handle the schedule?
Preeti: Yeah, that’s robust. It requires a variety of time administration. Yes, I’m persevering with with my appearing assignments as nicely. So is Parveen. He’s additionally performing some massive reveals on OTT proper now. But our whole focus is on ‘Panja’.
I’ve simply completed one movie known as ‘Mahapaur’, which is primarily based on UP politics. I’ve additionally simply completed one other in addition to a present known as ‘Kafas’. And yeah, I’m presently taking pictures for an additional present which I’m not allowed to title. There is a variety of stuff occurring, really.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed)
