Preity, a graduate in criminal psychology, was born in Simla. Her father
died when she was thirteen, in a car accident in which her mother was
bed ridden for sometime. She has two brothers, one year younger and one
year older than herself. Pretty, cheerful, outspoken and a bit
extra-ambitious of her career, Priety takes a lot of care in choosing
her roles.
Preity started her career as the wet and cool model in the Liril ad.
Shekhar Kapoor, well known director, liked her in the ad and cast her in
his film 'Tara Rum Pum'. But unfortunately the film never took off.
However, her name was already doing the industry rounds. Preity's first
release was Mani Ratnam's 'Dil Se' (1998) opposite Shahrukh Khan. In the
film her role though small, was noticed and won her rave reviews. Her
next film 'Soldier' (1998), was also a hit. She played an impish,
spoilt rich girl with great conviction in the film. Next she performed
the role of a gritty young CBI trainee in search of a dreaded killer in
Sangharsh (1999).
Critics began to take notice of her after her performance in Kya
Kehna (2000). She followed her success with a string of movies including
'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 appreciated and liked by all. But she
really hit the highway in 2003 with great performances in 'The
Hero', 'Armaan' and
two smash hits 'Koi Mil Gaya'
and 'Kal Ho Na Ho'. With these hits she became an actress to reckon
with, in Bollywood.
She followed her success in 2004, with memorable performances in 'Lakshya'
and 'Veer Zara'.
Veer Zara was an emotional love saga typical of Yash Raj productions.
Priety looked elegant and portrayed her role of a Pakistani woman with
grace. The year 2005, began with a flop 'Khullam
Khulla Pyar Karen', for Priety but she made it up with a big
hit, 'Salaam Namasthe',
which was inspired by the English flick 'Nine Months'.
Media shy about her personal life, Priety has been linked with a few
of her co-stars but has always dismissed them as rumours. 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.
Her screen presence, charm and down to earth nature has made her the
favorite actress of almost all the directors and producers. Preity Zinta
with her famous dimpled smile has come a long, long way from her
modelling days to being one of Bollywood's most sought-after actresses
today.
