SRK & Preity Zinta's unique on-screen romance playing star-crossed lovers in 4 cult classics

While a lot has been written about Shah Rukh Khan’s blockbuster on-screen pairing with Kajol or his successful films with Juhi Chawla, there is one on-screen collaboration that is not talked about much - Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta.

The duo worked together in only four films and out of which three were box office successes of varied proportions while one was a flop. But, all four of them attained cult status.

What’s more interesting and common among these films is that in all four of them Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta played star-crossed lovers.

Check out the list below:

Dil Se.. (1998)

@ Madras Talkies

In Mani Ratnam’s romantic classic set against the backdrop of unrest in North-East India, Shah Rukh Khan played an executive in All India Radio who falls in love with an extremist played by Manisha Koirala while his marriage is arranged with Preeti (Preity Zinta).

In the film, SRK’s character Amar is head over heels in love with Meghna and eventually perishes never to be reunited with Preeti.

Despite being the sixth biggest grosser of the year, the film was a box office flop but is now considered a cult classic. It is streaming on Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar.

Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)

@ Dharma Productions

In Karan Johar’s rom-com directed by Nikkhil Advani, Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta played star-crossed lovers who could never be together despite being in love with each other. The reason for their separation? He is in the final stage of cancer.

Also starring Saif Ali Khan, the film was the second biggest grosser of the year becoming a box office hit. It is now streaming on Netflix and Prime Video.

Veer-Zaara (2004)

@ Yash Raj Films

Yash Chopra’s all-time classic romantic saga, Veer-Zaara stars Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta as star-crossed lovers from either side of the border. While SRK plays an Indian, Preity plays a Pakistani.

They do end up together eventually in the film but it takes them 22 years to reunite due to tragic circumstances.

Veer-Zaara was the biggest grosser of the year and is currently streaming on Prime Video.

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)

@ Dharma Productions

Directed by Karan Johar, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna featured the two as a married couple and yet they don’t end up together as their marriage falls apart after he falls in love with another woman and cheats on his wife.

The film was a success and became the fourth biggest grosser of the year. It is streaming on Netflix and Prime Video.