Cinema VinesAustralian fast bowler Brett Lee has publicly put to rest long‑standing rumours that he had a romantic relationship with Bollywood actress and Punjab Kings co‑owner Preity Zinta. In a recent interview with the Bombay Times, Lee said, “Here’s your scoop – I never dated a Bollywood actress,” and added that he and Zinta were, and remain, “great friends.” He praised her as “an incredibly smart woman” and explained that the speculation never bothered him because he knew the truth.
The whispers began in the early 2000s, when Lee was playing for the IPL franchise then known as Kings XI Punjab. Every IPL season, the pair were often seen together at Mumbai restaurants, which fuelled gossip that they were secretly dating. In 2016, Zinta used her social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to clarify that they were simply close friends, calling the rumours “outdated and stale news.”
Lee’s personal life has seen its share of headlines. He married Elizabeth Kemp in 2006, and the couple had a son before divorcing in 2009. He later wed Lana Anderson in 2014, and they have two children together. Zinta’s own relationships have also attracted media attention, including her 2016 marriage to Gene Goodenough and the birth of twins via surrogacy in 2021.
Professionally, Zinta remains active in film and television. She last appeared in the 2018 movies Welcome to New York and Bhaiaji Superhit, and in 2020 she guest‑starred in an episode of the American series Fresh Off the Boat. In 2023 she executive‑produced the Indian adaptation of The Night Manager and is set to release Batwara 1947, starring Sunny Deol and Shabana Azmi, as well as Kunal Kemmu’s Vibe.
Lee’s statement underscores that the alleged romance was never real, and both he and Zinta have consistently denied any romantic involvement, choosing instead to focus on their professional collaborations and friendship.
