Preity Zinta, the original bubbly queen, captivated our screens and hearts in the 1990s and early 2000s. We couldn’t help but fall in love with her cheerful, effervescent personality every time she appeared on film. Her constant grin has made us smile, and her performances have made us sit up and pay attention. We take a journey down memory lane with some of PZ’s finest flicks as she celebrates her birthday. Preity Zinta has starred in some of our favourite films.
Dil se…(1998)
PZ made her acting debut in the SRK starrer Dil Se. Even though she only had a half-hour of screen time, she managed to hold the audience’s interest. She appears in the song Jiya Jale, which is still a fan favourite. Preity Zinta won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for her excellent performances in Dil Se.. and Soldier, her first starring role.
Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
Although the “6 din, ladki in” speech from KHNH makes our blood boil, we can’t deny that PZ did an excellent job in the film. Naina Kapur is a gloomy and tense student who lives in New York City with her family. Despite her best efforts, she falls in love with Aman Mathur, her next-door neighbour. Throughout the film, PZ easily displayed a wide range of emotions. She went from a gloomy, drab figure to a lady who learns to appreciate life and happiness, and she achieved it all with ease.
Koi Mil Gaya (2003)
Koi, PZ’s kitten, has scored yet another hit… Mil Gaya has always been a fan favourite. Preity Zinta plays Nisha, a young girl who is initially hostile to Rohit, played by Hrithik Roshan. She is oblivious to his developmental handicap and frequently chastises him. They become friends quickly, and she falls in love with him. PZ’s performance was hailed by both audiences and critics as a breath of new air in the film.
Salaam Namaste (2005)
When Salaam Namaste was released, it was a very unusual film. It was uncommon in the early 2000s to see a film about a couple living together without marrying and becoming pregnant. Ambar Malhotra, played by PZ, is a bold and distinctive woman who fled India to pursue her goals in Melbourne. She is unashamedly herself, flaws and all, yet likeable. Zinta’s performance in the film went on to become one of her greatest.
Zara Veer (2004)
Veer Zara and star-crossed tragic love stories are two of my particular favourites. Zara Hayaat Khan, the daughter of a Pakistani politician, is played by Preity Zinta. Inadvertently, she falls in love with Veer Pratap Singh, an Indian Air Force officer. Given the political situation, it was clear from the start that their love story was doomed. This heartfelt love story made us all laugh and weep. The performances of PZ and SRK ensured that we remained engrossed in the film. Another great effort from PZ’s illustrious career.