Sunil Chadha
The Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, in the limelight due to devastating wildfires that have reduced the houses of several celebrities and movie stars to ashes, has a Himachal Pradesh connection too.
Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, born and brought up in Himachal Pradesh capital Shimla, owns a house in Hollywood Hills.
In a heartfelt post on microblogging site X, Preity stated: “I never imagined witnessing a day when fires would engulf neighbourhoods around Los Angeles.”
Extended family resides in Shimla
Preity Zinta rose to fame in Bollywood with her versatile acting skills and charming screen presence. Despite her global recognition, she maintains close ties with her roots in Himachal Pradesh, where her extended family still resides.
Her maternal uncle Yashwant Chhajta, who is a Congress leader, shared that the family had been constantly in touch with her to enquire her well-being amid the crisis.
In her social media post, Preity described the harrowing scenes of smoke-filled skies and ash falling like snow.
“It’s heartbreaking to see the devastation around us. The fear and uncertainty are overwhelming, especially with little children and elderly people around,” she wrote.
Twin kids born through surrogacy
She also expressed gratitude for her family’s safety while offering prayers for those who have lost their homes.
Preity, married to American businessman Gene Goodenough, divides her time between India and the United States. The couple resides in Los Angeles with their twin children, Jai and Gia, born via surrogacy in 2021.
The Hollywood Hills fires have caused immense damage, reducing homes to rubble and leaving thousands displaced. Emergency crews are battling to contain the blaze, but strong winds and dry conditions have hampered efforts.