Preity Zinta is feeling on the top of the world. Her "Salaam Namaste" is a hit. And she has just completed her work in Shirish Kunder's "Jaan-e-Man" and is now into Karan Johar's "Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna".

"No two films, set-ups and directors could be more different. I am so excited," Preity Zinta told IANS from New York.

But there's also the downside. "I am so home-sick! I am living my life out of suitcases. I have been away from home for so long I have forgotten what Mumbai looks like.

"I want to walk the streets of my city. I miss the city and specially the food so much! Is Mumbai cleaner now? I hope it is!"

She pauses for breath, and then cheers up at the mention of "Salaam Namaste". "I believe it's even bigger than 'Charlie & The Chocolate Factory' in Australia!

"I spoke to my exhibitor-friend in Mumbai. He told me that the three biggest hits of 2005 in India are 'Bunty Aur Babli,' 'No Entry' and 'Salaam Namaste'... It feels great!

"We were going into a rather dangerous territory - live-in relationship and all. But we knew what we were doing. 'Salaam Namaste' reflects the reality about relationships today.

"The director Siddharth Anand was new, but so sure of what he had to say."

She perks up even more while speaking about her co-star.

"Saif and I go back a long way... to my very first film 'Kya Kehna'. And guess what? I was an unwed mom in that too and Saif was the illegitimate father. Small world, huh?

"Saif and I just decided to get back to basics again," she chuckles as only Preity can.

"But seriously Saif and I share such a wonderful rapport. It showed up in all the four films we have done so far. All of them are hits. Yaaaaaaay!"

She lets out a whoop of unconcealed delight. It's 12.45 a.m. in New York and Preity is chewing on a salad. She's all keyed up to go into "Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna".

"My first film with Karan Johar as director. And he goes into a totally unexplored territory. To that extent I guess I will be building on my reputation as an actor who takes risks.

"Karan is such an entertainer, one can never get bored on his sets. I am really looking forward to working with him... and Shah Rukh who's an absolute delight as a co-star.

"And to add to my excitement I will be working with my buddy Abhishek Bachchan for the first time. The only time we have shared camera space was on 'Koffee With Karan'.

"Now I guess Karan will make us have more than just coffee. As for Amitabh Bachchan, unke baare mein jitna kahaa jaye kam hai... Hey, my Hindi is still ok in spite of my NRI status for so many months!"

She chuckles some more at the mention of her female co-star Rani Mukherjee. "She's my good luck charm. Every film we did together was a big hit. I am sure 'Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna' would also be a success."

She's all praise for her "Jaan-e-Man" director Shirish Kunder and co-stars Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan. "Shirish hardly talks but his takings are terrific. Akshay and I had done one of my early films 'Sangharsh' together.

"It's so strange to hear people in New York talking about my 'Sangharsh' rather than 'Salaam Namaste'. Akshay is great fun... As for Salman... no uneasy moments at all! It was all cool!

"I believe the forensic experts back home have declared the tapes to be untrue. Thank god the clouds of controversy have lifted. I am getting a little tired of being put right in the middle of crises when I have nothing to do with them."

Back home the media is buzzing with rumours that Preity will play Sonia Gandhi.

"I would love to. I have a lot of admiration for her. What a life! And what a staggering range of emotions to portray for an actress!

"But I haven't been approached for the role. I have met Jagmohan Mundra once briefly about two years ago. And that certainly had nothing to do with Sonia Gandhi."

She added: "I needed to re-orient myself. 'Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna' is so different from 'Jaan-e-Man' which is fun and a cool casual entertainer. Karan's film is different!"