Preity Zinta born 31 January 1975 is an Indian film actress. She has appeared in Hindi films of Bollywood, as well as Telugu, Punjabi and English language films. After graduating with a degree in criminal psychology, Zinta was born into a Hindu Rajput family from Rohru in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh. Her father, Durganand Zinta, was an officer in the Indian Army. He died in a car accident when she was 13 years old; the accident also involved her mother, Nilprabha, who was severely injured and consequently remained bedridden for two years. Zinta called the tragic accident and her father’s death a significant turning point in her life, which forced her to mature rapidly. She has two brothers; Deepankar and Manish, a year older and a year younger respectively. Deepankar is a commissioned officer in the Indian Army, while Manish lives in California.

Zinta, who describes herself as a tomboy as a child, has emphasized her father’s military background as having a lasting impression on how family life was conducted. He asserted the importance of discipline and punctuality to the children. She studied at the Convent of Jesus and Mary boarding school in Shimla. Although she confesses to loneliness in the boarding school, she noted that it was compensated by her finding a “… perfect set of friends” there.

As a student, she developed a love for literature, particularly the works of William Shakespeare and poetry. According to Zinta, she enjoyed schoolwork and received good grades; in her free time she played sports, especially basketball.

In 1997, Zinta met film-maker Shekhar Kapur when she accompanied a friend to an audition, and was asked if she would audition too. Upon seeing her audition, Kapur insisted that she become an actress. She was originally scheduled to make her screen debut in Kapur’s Tara Rum Pum Pum opposite Hrithik Roshan, but the filming was cancelled. Kapur later recommended her for director Mani Ratnam’s movie Dil Se.Zinta often recalls that when she joined the film industry, her friends teased her that she would typically “wear white saris and dance in the rain”, thereby motivating her to play different parts.

Preity Zinta shot to fame as the refreshing, cool, wet model in the Liril commercial. She also modeled for Perk and her dimpled smile won the hearts of million.Preity never thought she would be an actress.

Zinta acted in two Telugu films, Premante Idera (1998), opposite Venkatesh; and Raja Kumarudu (1999), opposite Mahesh Babu. She followed with the leading role in the thriller Sangharsh, alongside Akshay Kumar. The film, based on The Silence of the Lambs (1991) was directed by Tanuja Chandra and written by Mahesh Bhatt.

Zinta portrayed the character of Reet Oberoi, a CBI officer who falls in love with a captured killer played by Kumar. The film was not a box-office success, although Zinta’s performance was appreciated by critics.

Zinta’s first role in 2000 was in the drama Kya Kehna, which unexpectedly became a box-office success. The film addressed themes of single parenthood and teenage pregnancy, and gained Zinta wider recognition from the public as well as film critics.

Her portrayal of a teenage single mother who fights social prejudice earned her several award nominations, including her first nomination for Best Actress at the Filmfare Awards. India Today reported that Zinta belonged to a new breed of Hindi film actors that breaks away from character stereotypes.

Zinta was the female lead in India’s 3 highest-grossing films of 2003: The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, Koi… Mil Gaya and Kal Ho Naa Ho.

Zinta began working with art film directors, and turned towards neo-realistic movies, known in India as parallel cinema. She acted in her first English film, Rituparno Ghosh’s The Last Lear, as a struggling theatre actress opposite Amitabh Bachchan.

From writing for BBC South Asia to winning the Godfrey Philips National Bravery Award for being the only one from the Bharat Shah Underworld trial to not retract their statement this diva is truly an icon!

Zinta acquired ownership rights in 2008 for the Mohali-based Twenty20 cricket team of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

From the dimpled girl-next-door that Preity was for the first couple of years, she surely has matured gracefully into an elegant someone. ‘Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna’ brings her back into the limelight making her look absolutely stunning. Gone are the days of jeans and flowery prints, Preity’s found her style in designer outfits.

Preity has already made her place in the hearts of the public and also in Bollywood. Zinta is particularly known in the Indian media for her straightforwardness and for honestly expressing her outspoken views and forthright opinions in public, be it about her on-screen or off-screen life or raising a voice against any social injustice.

Filmography:

Krrish, Salaam Namaste, Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen, Veer-Zaara, Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha, Lakshya, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Koi… Mil Gaya, Armaan, The Hero, Dil Hai Tumhaara, Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke, Dil Chahta Hai, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Farz, Mission Kashmir, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, Kya Kehna, Dillagi, Sangharsh, Raja Kumarudu, Premante Idera, Soldier, Dil Se,  Krrish, Salaam Namaste.

Original Name           :  Preetam Singh
Film Name                 : Preeti Zinta
Date of Birth              :  31 January, 1974
Zodiac Sign                :  Aquarius
Height                         :  5’5″
Weight                        :  52 Kgs
Hair Color                  :  Black
Birth Place                 :  Shimla
Marital Status           :  Single
Languages                  :  Hindi, English
Hobbies                      :  Fitness
Contact Address       :  C/10A, Ranwar, Waroda Rd., Bandra (w), Mumbai – 50
Brother(s)                  :  1 Brother

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