Updated on: 26 July, 2021 11:32 AM IST |
Dimple chick: Preity Zinta
Controversys Favourite Child:- The actress has been subject to several controversies over the years. In 2003, she testified against the Indian mafia in the Bharat Shah case, who was a financer for the film Chori Chori Chupke Chupke. Unlike her colleagues, Preity stood by her statement and also received several extortion calls during the times. In March 2007, actress Suchitra Krishnamurthy stated Preity as the reason for her divorce with Shekhar Kapur, alleging that the two had an affair. The actress who has been romantically involved with Bombay Dyeing heir, Ness Wadia attained tremendous media glare. In 2006, Ness was reported to have attacked construction workers at the actresss residence that left a woman and a child injured. On hearing the rumours, Preity retorted and offered Rs. 1 crore if the allegations were proven.
Humanitarian Work:- All through the years, Preity has been actively involved in a host of humanitarian projects supporting womens causes, AIDS awareness et al. During the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, she helped raise money for the victims, performing at the HELP! Telethon Concert. In December 2007, the actress joined the efforts of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime -UNODC to curb human trafficking in India and spoke on behalf of awareness against the practice. On her 34th birthday, Zinta also adopted 34 girls from an orphanage in Rishikesh and undertook the responsibility of financially supporting their education, food and clothing. A lady with a heart of gold!
TV Debut & Film Production:- Zinta debut on the small screen hosting the show Guinness World Records Ab India Todega, an Indian adaptation of Guinness Book of World Records. The actress later followed it up with a celebrity chat show Up Close & Personal with PZ, shot at her own penthouse in Mumbai. Preity has also recently donned the hat of a producer with her debut film Ishqk in Paris set for release.
Writing:- Trailing her love for writing, Zinta also ventured into writing as one of the South Asian commentators for BBC News Online. Her first column The Changing Face of Bollywood was published in the year 2004 and became one of the sites ten most read stories of the day. This was followed by a series of columns Preity wrote catering to topics like eve-teasing in India, insecurities and fears of film stars and her near-death experiences during the Tsunami in 2004.
Parallel Cinema:- After a series of song dance and routine commercial flicks, Preity decided to plunge into newer avenues of acting. Turning towards parallel cinema, she started off with Rituparno Ghoshs The Last Lear alongwith Amitabh Bachchan. The film that premiered at the 2007 Toronto Film Festival won the actress immense acclaim. She followed it up with others like Deepa Mehtas Heaven on Earth and Heroes.
IPL:- After her stint with the parallel cinema, Preity set her hands in the business of cricket. Partnering along with then boyfriend Ness Wadia, Zinta acquired the rights of the IPL Mohali team Kings XI Punjab for a whopping 76 million. As the youngest owner of the league, Zinta was also the only woman to own an IPL team then.
Breakthrough:- After the two films that marked firm ground for Preity, the breakthrough came in when she starred in the romantic drama Kya Kehna essaying the role of an unwed mother in the film. A topic well untouched in Hindi cinema, Preity dared to go against the tide and emerged as a winner. The film won her accolades and led to a series of hit films like Mission Kashmir, Sangharsh, Dil Chahta Hai, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke and the likes. But Preitys career as an actor reached its peak with her performances in Kal Ho Naa Ho, Koi Mil Gaya, Lakshya and Salaam Namaste.
Acting Career:- In 1997, while accompanying a friend for an audition, Preity was coerced to audition for the spot too. Identifying her potential, Shekhar Kapur decided to launch her in his debut Tara Rum Pum Pum opposite Hrithik Roshan. The film was later shelved but Zinta was recommended to Mani Ratnam for Dil Se opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Although Dil Se was Preitys first film, it was Soldier opposite Bobby Deol that ringed the celluloid.
Stepping Stones to Stardom:- On graduating from school, at 18, Zinta went on to pursue an English honours degree, and then started a graduate programme in psychology. She also earned a postgraduate degree in criminal psychology but destiny sure had other plans. Preity took up modeling for good and received her first ad film for Perk chocolates. This led to a string of modeling assignments with the most famous one being the Liril soap ad.
Early Life:- Hailing from Shimla, Preity comes from an army background with her father being an officer in the Indian Army. While Zinta was just 13 years old, her father passed away in a car accident leading to his demise and also involved her mother who survived but with a severe injury. The tragedy as Preity describes was major turning point of her life. The actress also has two brothers Deepankar and Manish who serve in the Indian army and live in California respectively. Zinta studied at Convent of Jesus and Mary boarding school in Shimla where she was drawn to literature and poetry. The actress has also been an avid sports lover who played basketball during her schooling days.
The original bubbly gal of Bollywood, Preity Zinta is best known for her dimples, superlative acting and entrepreneurial ability. Strong-headed as ever, this actress has worked with all the Khans, Bachchans and newbies and has worn several hats in her 15 year career. The apple of every Bollywood lovers eye, as the vivacious P Zee celebrates her birthday today, heres bringing you all the dope on this charming lady.
