She
is the bubbly, doe eyed sensation who has won
the nation's heart with her girl-next-door sweetness;
hers is the smile bright as the rising sun,
unstoppable dance moves, vibrant as stars frolicking
in the night sky and a sexual appeal that is
quintessentially magnetic. The aplomb with which
Preity Zinta has developed from being a small-town
girl in Shimla to a veritable goddess in Bollywood
speaks volumes about her determination and stamina
to reach the top. With no godfather in Bollywood,
she still managed to carve her very own niche
in the biggest film industry in the world.
Preity started her career in the entertainment
industry as a model and television anchor. Her
dimpled smile and cute expressions in the Lyril
advertisement, won her the hearts of millions
and the film fraternity took note that here
was a girl who seemed destined for stardom.
Her debut film Dil Se was released in 1998 and
after that there has been no looking back for
Preity. Attractive, cheerful, outspoken, Preity
always had the mindset of being a bit extra-ambitious
about her career, and she took lot of care in
choosing her roles. Her discerning attitude
has paid rich dividends as most of her films
have done well.
After Dil Se her next film was Soldier (1998),
in which she played with great conviction the
part of an impish, spoilt rich girl. Then came
Sangharsh in 1999, the film found her performing
the role of a gritty young CBI trainee in search
of a dreaded killer. Critical acclaim came to
her in a big way with films like Kya Kehna (2000),
Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega (2000), Mission Kashmir
(2000) and Farz (2001). Her roles in Chori Chori
Chupke Chupke (2001), Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
and Dil Hai Tumhara (2002), was met with much
fanfare.
She really arrived into the league of extraordinary
superstars in 2003 with great performances in
The Hero, Armaan and two smash hits Koi Mil
Gaya and Kal Ho Na Ho. At last Bollywood and
rest of the world recognized her as an actress
to reckon with. In 2004, came her memorable
film Veer Zara, an emotional love saga in which
Preity gracefully played the role of an elegant
Pakistani woman. In Preity, Bollywood seems
to have discovered its ultimate golden girl.
Since her debut in 1998 she has never failed
to deliver a super hit film every year. 2005
saw Preity's Salaam Namaste, inspired by the
English flick Nine Months, turning into a big
hit.
But it is not just in her ability to set the
screen sizzling that Preity scores. She has
strong views on a range of subjects and what
is most admirable about her is that she never
shies from expressing her views. When quizzed
about her choice of career, she says, "I
have control over my career choices, what I
cannot control are the minds who believe that
if I'm working in the movies, then I'm busy
swinging from one hero's arm to another. The
Indian public believes that heroines do not
have any moral and ethical sense! This is the
cross most women actors in India have to bear
as the price of stardom. I have the right to
live the way I want just like anybody else."
Media shy about her personal life, Preity has
been linked with a few of her co-stars, but
she has always dismissed her linkages as mere
speculation by rumormongers. She dated Marc
Robinson, one of the hottest models in India
for sometime but later broke up with him. She
is currently dating the heir to the Bombay Dyeing
Company, Ness Wadia. When asked about her marriage
plans, she says, "As for marriage…that
topic isn't on my mind. Every time I am asked
about my marriage I ask the journalist, why
such a stale question. The way the media is
interested in my marriage they should get together
to fund my wedding." She has a great sense
of humor too.
