One of the top actors of Bollywood is Preity Zinta, known for her dimpled smile and bubbly persona. She rose to fame with unforgettable films such as Dil Se.., Koi Mil Gaya, Kal Na Ho, and more. She is an actor, philanthropist, and also businesswoman. On her 48th birthday, let’s look at her wonderful career.
History
Preity Zinta was born on 31st January 1975, in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, to Durganand Zinta, an Indian army officer and mother, Nilprabha. Preity is the middle child as she also has an older brother Deepankar, and a younger brother, Manish. During her childhood, she played basketball and loved literature, especially the works of William Shakespeare. She studied at the Convent of Jesus and Mary Boarding School and The Lawrence School. She graduated with English Honors from St. Bede’s College in Shimla and a postgraduate in criminal psychology but later moved to modeling.
Acting Career
In 1997, while accompanying a friend to a film audition, she was asked to give an audition too. Upon seeing her work, the acclaimed film director Shekhar Kapur suggested she pursue acting. He even recommended her to another film director, Mani Ratnam, for his film Dil Se… She made her first appearance in Bollywood with this film in 1998. Later in the year, she acted in the action-drama opposite Bobby Deol in Soldier, which was a commercial success. Preity became a hit among the audience with her charming dimpled smile and her acting as she won the best debut actor female for both films. Preity Zinta continued to give several hit films, which made her a top actor in Bollywood. Some of her top films are worth mentioning, including Kal Ho Na Ho, Mission Kashmir, Kya Kehna, Koi Mil Gaya, and Veer Zara.
Besides Hindi films, she has worked in Telugu films, Premante Idera in 1998 and Raja Kumarudu in 1999. She has also worked in English language films, The Last Lear in 2007 and Heaven on Earth in 2008. She took a break from acting and returned with a film she co-wrote, Ishkq in Paris.
Other Works
Apart from acting, she has hosted various TV shows like Up Close & Personal with PZ and was one of the judges for the dancing show Nach Baliye. In 2004, she joined the South Asian commentators for BBC News Online, and she wrote various columns which grabbed the attention of readers worldwide. Preity is also a philanthropist and has worked for blood donation awareness, and women’s causes in India. She also started her own media company, PZNZ. She also owns Punjab Kings, a T20 cricket team of the Indian Premier League with Ness Wadia, Mohit Burman, and others.
Awards and Honors
Here are some of the prominent awards and honors conferred to Preity Zinta:
| Year | Film | Award |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Soldier and Dil Se.. | Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut |
| 2004 | Kal Ho Na Ho | Filmfare Award for Best Actress |
| 2005 | Veer-Zara | Screen Award for Best Actress |
| 2009 | Heaven on Earth | Vancouver Film Critic Award for Best Actor in Canadian Film |
• In 2008 – She was conferred with the Smita Patil Memorial Award for Best Actress
• In 2010 – Honorary Doctorate of Arts from the University of East London for her humanitarian work.
• In 2013 – She won the YFLO Young Achievers Award for achievement in films.
Preity with her persona and her acting has won millions of hearts. Giftalove wishes her a very happy birthday and all the best for her future endeavors.
