When actress Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan’s pregnancy was announced, a lot of names were apparently being tossed about to replace her in her upcoming films. One such name was actress Preity Zinta, who’s fuming at reports of her replacing Ash, who reportedly is also her BFF.“I am very disturbed with these false reports. I really fail to understand why no one checks with me on its authenticity. (Filmmaker) Rajkumarji (Santoshi) is a close friend, so are the Bachchans,” she says.

Zinta has always maintained that Ash and she have become good friends over the last couple of years. Talking about their friendship, she had earlier said, “Ash is someone I can call a friend. We have kept in touch and shared our ups and downs through the years. We have always been there for each other through our tough times. I know that I can call her up anytime.”

Though Zinta is currently not in the country, she is happy with the news of Ash’s pregnancy. She has conveyed her wishes to the family personally too. “Aishwarya is a dear friend of mine. I wish her all the very best,” she says. Zinta plans to catch up with her BFF once she is back in town. Says a source close to the actor, “She is very happy for Aishwarya and Abhishek. They’re close friends and she has known them for years now. Once she is back, she may take them out for a celebratory dinner to catch up on some much needed quality time.”