Actress..

Preity Zinta was the ‘Liril Girl’ & her dimples were adored from that time. A model becoming an actress & having a successful career at that! She debuted in films in 1988 with Maniratnam’s ‘Dil Se..’ which was a commercial big flop at the time. The entire film was around the unrest in Kashmir & had Shahrukh Khan & Manisha Koirala in the lead. Yet Preity was noticed in her song,’Jiya jale…’ & the audience wondered why she isn’t the lead! (This song hummed by Amitabh in his ‘Nishabd’ has a very different meaning to it!)

The same year she was in lead with Bobby Deol in ‘Soldier’ which was a hit! These roles earned her the best female debut. In 2000, she starred in ‘Kya kehna’ as a teenage single mother. Not an easy feat for a newcomer. Saif Ali Khan & Chandrachur Singh as her love interest with Anupam Kher & Farida Jalal as her parents. She got to work with good story,star cast & directors on her way to stardom.

Born in Shimla & completing her education there, she was pursuing her post graduate degree in Criminal Psychology. Her chance meeting with a director led her to audition where she got selected. She had worked for ‘Perk’ chocolates for the TV commercial before.

The lead role in Tanuja Chandra’s “Sangharsh” opposite Akshay Kumar was intense. Many leading ladies had refused it. But she saw it as an opportunity to expand her base. It failed at the boxoffice but was acclaimed by the critics.’Har dil jo pyar Karega’ & ‘Mission Kashmir’ followed. She worked with Hrithik Roshan, who was an upcoming star then. Her song, ‘Bumro bumro..’was very famous.

In ‘Chori chori chupke chupke’ she stared as Madhubala, the golden hearted prostitute hired as a surrogate mother.Then came her role as Shalini in Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ with Aamir Khan. It did well in the cities because the city dwellers could relate to the lifestyle.

‘Hero: Love Story of a spy’,’Koi Mil Gaya, ” Kal Ho Na Ho’ which were major grossers of 2003. ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’ a role written for Kareena Kapoor fell in Zinta’s lap because of the date clash. She made the most of it. Both Shahrukh & Sail falling for her was the highlight of the film!

She appeared in “Lakshay” with Hrithik again & with Shahrukh in “Veer Zara” which gave her raving reviews. Then she came up with ‘Salaam Namaste’ opposite Saif Ali Khan. It had live-in & unexpected pregnancy. She is the only actress in Hindi films who came with her pregnant belly using prosthetics. Her craving for chocolates & ice-creams at the odd hours at night is a delight to watch!

With ‘Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna’ Hindi Films tried to break free of the stereotype of married women seen.Breaking away from the commercial cinema she tried her hand at art films. Working in “The Last Lear” with Amitabh Bachchan in 2007, it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival & was well received.She worked in Deepa Mehta’s ‘Heaven On Earth”where she plays a victim of domestic violence.She earned the Silver Hugo award for the best actress.

In 2011 she launched her own company & worked in ‘Ishkq in Paris’ which did not do well at the boxoffice. In 2016 she married Gene Goodenough at a private ceremony in LA. She is one of those actresses who speak their mind. She is straightforward & blunt therefore been into many controversies. Being the sole witness not to retract in court her statements against the Indian Mafia during 2003 Bharat Shah case she was awarded The Godfrey Philips National Bravery Award.

A child who lost her father when she was 13 in a car accident. Her mother was also severely injured. She has developed into a very strong individual & helped others to grow. Hats off!