Mumbai: Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, who has notably distanced herself from the film industry, is now concentrating on her entrepreneurial ventures, social media engagement, and income derived from the Indian Premier League (IPL). Over the years, she has amassed significant wealth. In 2016, she married businessman Gene Goodenough, a finance analyst based in Los Angeles. Nevertheless, recent reports have associated Zinta with the ongoing crisis at New India Co-operative Bank, which has recently been prohibited from operating by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Allegations have emerged claiming that the bank waived a loan taken out in her name. Let us delve deeper into this situation.
Recently, Preity Zinta attended the Mahakumbh festival, where social media buzzed with assertions that she owed an outstanding loan of INR 18 crore to the distressed New India Co-operative Bank Limited. Further reports claimed that this loan had been written off. In response, Zinta issued an official statement refuting these allegations and articulating her position regarding the issue. The controversy gained traction following media revelations of extensive financial mismanagement and purported corruption within the bank, prompting the RBI to impose restrictions on its functioning.
No I operate my social media accounts my self and shame on you for promoting FAKE NEWS ! No one wrote off anything or any loan for me. I’m shocked that a political party or their representative is promoting fake news & indulging in vile gossip & click baits using my name &… https://t.co/cdnEvqnkYx
— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) February 25, 2025
As per reports, the bank had approved corporate loans totalling INR 25 crore without the branch manager’s awareness. Many of these loans are said to have led to fund diversions, rapidly transforming into non-performing assets within just one year. Among the most high-profile cases is that of Preity Zinta, who allegedly secured an INR 18 crore loan from the bank without adhering to proper recovery protocols.
A report from the Times of India indicates that Zinta, through her legal representatives, has strongly refuted these claims. She clarified that she had an overdraft facility with New India Co-operative Bank over 12 years ago. Significantly, she fully settled all outstanding dues related to this facility more than a decade ago, and the account has been officially closed since then.