View source for Preity Zinta

{{Short description|Indian actress (born 1975)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Preity Zinta
| image              = Preity Zinta by Ash Gupta.jpg
| caption            = Zinta in 2018
| birth_name         = Preity Zinta
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age |df=yes|1975|1|31}}
| birth_place        = [[Shimla district|Shimla]], Himachal Pradesh, India
| occupation         = Actress
| years_active       = 1998–present
| works              = [[Preity Zinta filmography|Full list]]
| alma_mater         = [[St. Bede's College, Shimla]]
| spouse             = {{marriage|Gene Goodenough|2016}}
| children           = 2
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Preity Zinta|Full list]]
| signature          = Signature Preity Zinta 01.svg
}}

'''Preity G. Zinta'''<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/two-years-after-marriage-preity-zinta-adds-husbands-initials-to-her-name/articleshow/64509138.cms |title=Two years after marriage, Preity Zinta adds husband's initials to her name |author=Times News Network |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=8 June 2018 |access-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180609001714/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/two-years-after-marriage-preity-zinta-adds-husbands-initials-to-her-name/articleshow/64509138.cms |archive-date=9 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> (pronounced {{IPA|hns|ˈpriːt̪i ˈzɪɳʈa|}}; born 31 January 1975) is an Indian actress primarily known for her work in [[Hindi cinema|Hindi films]]. After graduating with degrees in [[English literature|English honours]] and [[criminal psychology]], Zinta made her acting debut in ''[[Dil Se..]]'' in 1998,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-12 |title=Preity Zinta: Always own who you are and be proud of your roots |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/preity-zinta-always-own-who-you-are-and-be-proud-of-your-roots/articleshow/120228247.cms |access-date=2025-04-22 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> followed by a role in ''[[Soldier (1998 Indian film)|Soldier]]'' in the same year. These performances earned her the [[Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut]], and she was later recognised for her role as a teenage single mother in ''[[Kya Kehna]]'' (2000). She established a career as a leading Hindi film actress of the decade with a variety of character types. Her [[Preity Zinta filmography|roles]], often deemed culturally defiant, along with her unconventional screen persona won her recognition and [[List of awards and nominations received by Preity Zinta|several accolades]].<ref name="The only man in Bollywood" />{{sfn|Bingham|2015|p=149}}

Following critically appreciated roles in ''[[Chori Chori Chupke Chupke]]'' (2001), ''[[Dil Chahta Hai]]'' (2001), ''[[Dil Hai Tumhaara]]'' (2002), and ''[[Armaan (2003 film)|Armaan]]'' (2003), Zinta received the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress]] for her performance in ''[[Kal Ho Naa Ho]]'' (2003). She starred in two consecutive annual top-grossing films in India, ''[[Koi... Mil Gaya]]'' (2003) and ''[[Veer-Zaara]]'' (2004), and was noted for her portrayal of independent, modern Indian women in ''[[Salaam Namaste]]'' (2005) and ''[[Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna]]'' (2006), top-grossing productions in domestic and overseas markets. For her first international role in the Canadian drama ''[[Heaven on Earth (2008 film)|Heaven on Earth]]'' (2008) she was awarded the [[Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress]] and nominated for the [[Canadian Screen Award for Best Actress|Genie Award for Best Actress]]. She followed this with a hiatus from acting work for several years, with intermittent appearances such as in her self-produced comeback film, ''[[Ishkq in Paris]]'' (2013), which failed to leave a mark.

Zinta is also a social activist, television presenter and stage performer. Between 2004 and 2005, she wrote a series of columns for [[BBC News Online]] South Asia. She is the founder of the production company [[PZNZ Media]], a co-owner of the [[Indian Premier League]] cricket team [[Punjab Kings]] since 2008, and the owner of the [[Mzansi Super League|South-African T20 Global League]] cricket team [[Stellenbosch Kings]] since 2017. Zinta is known in the Indian media for publicly speaking her mind and consequently has sparked the occasional controversy. These controversies include her being the sole witness not to retract in court her earlier statements against the [[Organised crime in India|Indian mafia]] during the 2004 [[Bharat Shah]] case, for which she was awarded the [[Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Award]].

==Early life and background==
Preity Zinta was born on 31 January 1975 in Shimla into a [[Culture of Himachal Pradesh|Himachali]] [[Rajput]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Preity Zinta shares selfie channelising her inner Himachali |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/entertainment/bollywood/preity-zinta-shares-selfie-channelising-her-inner-himachali20200630201139/ |access-date=30 September 2024 |website=ANI News |language=en}}</ref> Hindu family from [[Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 January 2009 |title='I'm a rare combination of British and Rajput blood' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/i-m-a-rare-combination-of-british-and-rajput-blood/story-6g7OpuvukgM5XWHx3IjWQJ.html |work=Hindustan Times |quote=In the early 18th century, when marital alliances between the Rajput and British became quite common, the Zinta clan was born. I'm the rare combination of British and Rajput blood," she added}}</ref><ref name="birth_details" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stardustindia.com/display_garam.asp?issue=February2006&id=1 |title=Preity turns one-plus-thirty |date=31 January 2006 |work=[[Stardust (magazine)|Stardust]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060908011722/http://www.stardustindia.com/display_garam.asp?issue=February2006&id=1 |archive-date=8 September 2006 |access-date=4 December 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/happy-birthday-preity-zinta-did-you-know-her-decision-to-enter-bollywood-was-based-on-a-coin-flip-101611932180125.html |title=Happy birthday Preity Zinta: Did you know her decision to enter Bollywood was based on a coin flip? |date=31 January 2021 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=31 January 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131013609/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/happy-birthday-preity-zinta-did-you-know-her-decision-to-enter-bollywood-was-based-on-a-coin-flip-101611932180125.html}}</ref> Her father, Durganand Zinta, was an officer in the [[Indian Army]].<ref name="Zinta the PM">{{cite news |author=Sharma, Mandvi |title='I would've been the PM' |date=24 June 2006 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1676771,curpg-1.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=24 June 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112211943/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1676771,curpg-1.cms |archive-date=12 January 2011}}</ref> He died in a car accident when she was thirteen; the accident also involved her mother, Nilprabha, who was severely injured and consequently remained bedridden for two years. Zinta called the tragic accident and her father's death a significant turning point in her life, which forced her to mature rapidly.<ref name="The Preity Zinta interview">{{cite web |author=Khubchandani, Lata |title=I had this illusion that filmstars are like kings and queens |date=22 May 2000 |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/may/22preity.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=15 September 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124222923/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/may/22preity.htm |archive-date=24 November 2007}}</ref> She has two brothers; Deepankar and Manish, a year older and a year younger, respectively. Deepankar is a commissioned officer in the Indian Army, while Manish lives in California.<ref name="washpostbrave">{{cite news |first=John |last=Lancaster |title=Bollywood Star's Act Makes Her a Hero, and Possible Target |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-234600.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |page=A16 |date=23 January 2003 |access-date=24 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105070109/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-234600.html |archive-date=5 November 2012 |via=[[Highbeam Research]]}}</ref>

Zinta, who describes herself as having been a tomboy as a child, has emphasised her father's military background as having given her a lasting impression on how family life was to be conducted. He asserted the importance of discipline and punctuality to the children.<ref name="Early life">{{cite news |author=Khubchandani, Lata |title=My Fundays – Preity Zinta |date=4 May 2006 |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060504/asp/telekids/story_6177744.asp |newspaper=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]] |access-date=7 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930055612/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1060504/asp/telekids/story_6177744.asp |archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> She studied at the [[Convent of Jesus and Mary, Shimla|Convent of Jesus and Mary boarding school]] in [[Shimla]]. Although she confesses to loneliness in the boarding school, she noted that it was compensated by her finding a "...{{nbs}}perfect set of friends" there.<ref name="Zinta the PM" /><ref name="good times">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/09/stories/2002090900390100.htm |title=Poised for pretty good times! |access-date=9 November 2007 |author=Siddiqui, Rana |date=9 September 2002 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223192429/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/09/stories/2002090900390100.htm |archive-date=23 December 2007}}</ref> As a student, she developed a love for literature, particularly the works of [[William Shakespeare]] and poetry.<ref name="Zinta the PM" /> According to Zinta, she enjoyed schoolwork and received good grades; in her free time she played sports, especially basketball.<ref name="The Preity Zinta interview" />

After her schooling at Convent of Jesus and Mary, Zinta enrolled at [[St. Bede's College, Shimla|St. Bede's College]] in Shimla, an affiliated college of [[Himachal Pradesh University]].<ref name="Zinta the PM" /> She graduated with an [[English literature|English honours]] degree, and then started a graduate programme in psychology.<ref name="Talk Asia interview">{{cite news |author=Hahn, Lorraine |title=Bollywood Actress, Preity Zinta Talk Asia Interview Transcript |date=11 January 2005 |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/01/11/talkasia.zinta.script/ |publisher=CNN |access-date=8 November 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121003627/http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/01/11/talkasia.zinta.script/ |archive-date=21 November 2007}}</ref> She earned a postgraduate degree in [[criminal psychology]], but later took up modelling.<ref name="Zinta the PM" /> Zinta's first television commercial was for ''Perk'' chocolates, the result of a chance meeting with a director at a friend's birthday party in 1996.<ref name="Zinta the PM" /> The director persuaded Zinta to audition for the spot, and she was selected. Afterwards, she appeared in other catalogues and commercials, including one for the soap [[Liril]].<ref name="The Preity Zinta interview" /><ref name="Talk Asia interview" />

==Acting career==
===Debut and early roles (1998–1999)===
In 1998, Zinta met [[Shekhar Kapur]] when she accompanied a friend to an audition in Mumbai and was asked if she would audition too.<ref name="BAFTA" /><ref name="Pretty face">{{cite news |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010201/main8.htm |title=More than a pretty face |last=Menon |first=Lakshmi |date=1 February 2001 |work=The Tribune |access-date=16 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=19 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219084612/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010201/main8.htm}}</ref> Upon seeing her audition, Kapur insisted that she become an actress. She was originally scheduled to make her screen debut in Kapur's ''Tara Rum Pum Pum'' opposite [[Hrithik Roshan]], but the filming was cancelled.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/nov/20pr.htm |title=Preity pleasing |last=Srinivasan |first=V. S. |date=20 November 1997 |work=Rediff.com |access-date=16 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=17 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217040537/https://m.rediff.com/movies/nov/20pr.htm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.screenindia.com:80/20001124/cover.htm |title=Preety Zinta: She can, she will, she's an optimist |date=24 November 2000 |access-date=10 February 2022 |work=[[Screen (magazine)|Screen]] |last=John |first=Ali Peter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020329134526/http://www.screenindia.com:80/20001124/cover.htm |archive-date=29 March 2002 |url-status=dead}}</ref> She reminisced the experience: "I began to recognise the power of destiny. I had no intention ever to be an actress."<ref name="Pretty face" /> Kapur later recommended her for director [[Mani Ratnam]]'s ''[[Dil Se..]]'' (1998), a romantic thriller about a terrorist group in [[New Delhi]].<ref name="Talk Asia interview"/><ref name="BAFTA">{{cite video |date=15 August 2006 |title=BAFTA Goes Bollywood: Preity Zinta |time=01:40–07:00}}</ref> Zinta often recalls that when she joined the film industry her friends teased her that she would typically "wear white saris and dance in the rain", thereby motivating her to seek unconventional parts.<ref name="Zinta the PM"/><ref name="BAFTA"/>

Zinta commenced shooting for [[Kundan Shah]]'s ''[[Kya Kehna]]'', whose release was delayed until 2000.<ref name="Chopra-India-Today"/> The delay of another film, ''[[Soldier (1998 Indian film)|Soldier]]'' (1998), meant that her first release was ''Dil Se..'' opposite [[Shah Rukh Khan|Shahrukh Khan]] and [[Manisha Koirala]].<ref name="BAFTA"/> She was introduced as Preeti Nair, a middle-class Delhi girl and Khan's fiancée.{{sfn|Janell|2008|p=237–239}} The film was considered an unusual launch for a newcomer, as her role called for only twenty minutes of screen time.<ref name="Chopra-India-Today"/> However, she was eventually noticed for her role, particularly for the forthright character she played.<ref name="The Preity Zinta interview"/>{{sfnm|1a1=Janell|1y=2008|1p=237–239|2a1=Jha|2y=2005a|2p=85}} Her scene with Khan, in which she asked him, "Are you a virgin?", became well-known,<ref name="Chopra-India-Today"/><ref name="Champagne">{{cite magazine |last=Taparia Rathi |first=Nidhi |title=The Champagne Girl |magazine=[[India Today]] |date=30 September 2002 |access-date=4 April 2015 |url=http://archives.digitaltoday.in/indiatoday/20020930/cinema.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409162434/http://archives.digitaltoday.in/indiatoday/20020930/cinema.html |archive-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> and her portrayal earned her a nomination for the [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress]].<ref name="awards" /> [[Khalid Mohamed]] of ''[[Filmfare|Bombay Talkies]]'' said that she "radiates confidence and spunk even if she's given just scraps of footage".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mohamed |first1=Khalid |author-link=Khalid Mohamed |year=1998 |access-date=11 May 2020 |title=Quite a disappointment |url=http://www.filmfare.com/site/btalkies/bomb33.htm |work=[[Filmfare]]  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991002041154/http://www.filmfare.com/site/btalkies/bomb33.htm |archive-date=2 October 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |access-date=1 August 2020 |archive-date=17 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217075228/http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19980822/23450914.html |first1=Deepa |last1=Deosthalee |url=http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/ie/daily/19980822/23450914.html |title=A picture perfect ode to love, ''Dil Se'' |work=The Indian Express |publisher=The Express Group |date=22 August 1998}}</ref> The film did not attract a wide audience in India but was the first Hindi film to enter the UK's top 10 box-office charts.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Aftab |first=Kaleem |date=October 2002 |title=Brown: the new black! Bollywood in Britain |journal=Critical Quarterly |volume=44 |issue=3 |pages=88–98 |publisher=Blackwell Synergy |doi=10.1111/1467-8705.00435 |quote=The first Bollywood film to enter the UK top 10, ''Dil Se / Uyire'' was nevertheless a flop in India.}}</ref> Zinta's second release of 1998 was [[Abbas–Mustan]]-directed action-drama ''Soldier'', one of the biggest commercial hits of the year.<ref name="BOI Filmography" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Box Office 1998 |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=1998&pageId=4 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=17 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408035512/https://boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=1998&pageId=4 |archive-date=8 April 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> She won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut]] for her performance in both ''Dil Se..'' and ''Soldier''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/368679.cms |title=The Winners – 1998 |work=The Times of India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709230849/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/368679.cms |archive-date=9 July 2012 |access-date=25 April 2020}}</ref>

Zinta next acted in two [[Telugu language|Telugu]] films, ''[[Premante Idera]]'' (1998) and ''[[Raja Kumarudu]]'' (1999).{{sfn|Dawar|2006|p=92}} She followed with the leading role in ''[[Sangharsh (1999 film)|Sangharsh]]'', a 1999 thriller directed by [[Tanuja Chandra]] and written by [[Mahesh Bhatt]].{{sfn|Glaser|2022|p=257}} Zinta portrayed Reet Oberoi, a [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI) officer who falls in love with a captured killer played by [[Akshay Kumar]].{{sfnm|1a1=Glaser|1y=2022|1p=257|2a1=Mukherjee|2y=2023|2p=86}}<ref>{{cite news |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803034526/https://www.filmfare.com/features/seventeen-years-of-sangharsh-15410.html |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/seventeen-years-of-sangharsh-15410-1.html |title=Seventeen years of ''Sangharsh'' |url-status=live |work=Filmfare |date=4 September 2016 |author=Sharma, Devesh}}</ref> Having been impressed with Zinta's work in ''Dil Se..'', Chandra approached her for the part after several leading actresses had refused the offer, which Zinta viewed as an opportunity to expand her range.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99sep26/sunday/view.htm |title=I want to tell my story from the woman's point of view |last=Ravi |first=P.R. |date=26 September 1999 |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |access-date=21 April 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831014101/http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99sep26/sunday/view.htm |archive-date=31 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Chandra">{{cite magazine |title=Sitting Pretty |magazine=[[India Today]] |date=30 November 1998 |access-date=21 April 2015 |url=http://www.indiatoday.com/itoday/30111998/eyecats.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034516/http://www.indiatoday.com/itoday/30111998/eyecats.html |archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref> ''Sangharsh'' was not a box-office success, although Zinta's performance received favourable comments by critics.<ref name="BOI Filmography" /><ref name="The Preity Zinta interview"/> An article published by ''[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]'' described her performance as "an amazing act" in an "intense film", documenting her career path thus far with the observation: "She wowed the audiences with her cameo in ''Dil Se..'', then she zapped the viewers with her sensuality in ''Soldier'' and now Preity Zinta is all set to shock everybody with her stark performance [in ''Sangharsh'']."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99sep05/sunday/bolywood.htm |title=Preity act |last=Mittal |first=Madhur |date=5 September 1999 |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |access-date=22 April 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110202/http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99sep05/sunday/bolywood.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> Subhash K. Jha reflected in 2013 that ''Sangharsh'' marked a rare occasion in Hindi cinema at the time where a top male star played a secondary role to the leading lady.<ref name="SKJ">{{cite news |last1=Jha |first1=Subhash K. |author-link1=Subhash K. Jha |title=A look at the change in women's roles in Bollywood over the years |url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/a-look-at-the-change-in-womens-roles-in-bollywood-over-the-years/203380 |access-date=7 April 2022 |work=[[mid-day]] |date=8 March 2013 |language=en}}</ref>

===Breakthrough and career advancement (2000–2002)===
Zinta's first role in 2000 was in the drama ''Kya Kehna'', which [[sleeper hit|exceeded expectations]] to emerge a major box-office success.<ref name="BOI Filmography" /><ref name="KK-DHT">{{cite news |last1=Kapoor |first1=Pankaj |title=''Dil Hai Tumhaara''? ''Kya Kehna'', Preity! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/Dil-Hai-Tumhaara-Kya-Kehna-Preity/articleshow/21282352.cms?from=mdr |access-date=1 August 2020 |work=The Times of India |date=5 September 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212230305/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/Dil-Hai-Tumhaara-Kya-Kehna-Preity/articleshow/21282352.cms?from=mdr |archive-date=12 February 2021 |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref> The film addressed themes of [[single parent]]hood and [[teenage pregnancy]], and gained Zinta wider recognition from the public as well as film critics.<ref name="Chopra-India-Today"/>{{sfn|Omar|2006|p=162}} Her portrayal of Priya Bakshi, a teenage [[single mother]] who fights social prejudice, earned her several award nominations, including her first nomination for [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] at the [[Filmfare Awards]].{{sfnm|1a1=Pande|1y=2004|1p=138|2a1=Gulzar|2a2=Nihalani|2a3=Chatterjee|2y=2003|2p=386–387}}<ref name="awards">{{Cite web |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrities/awards/10155/index.html |title=Preity Zinta: Awards & Nominations |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903043510/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrities/awards/10155/index.html |archive-date=3 September 2011 |access-date=25 April 2020}}</ref> [[Anupama Chopra]] from ''[[India Today]]'' reported that Zinta belonged to a new breed of Hindi film actors that breaks away from character stereotypes.<ref name="Chopra-India-Today"/> Further positive feedback came her way that year for her starring role in the romantic comedy ''[[Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega]]''.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=[[Screen India|Screen]] |date=11 August 2000 |archive-date=16 August 2000 |title=''Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega'' – Salman, Preity excel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816035607/http://www.expressindia.com/screen/20000811/freview.htm |url=http://www.expressindia.com/screen/20000811/freview.htm |access-date=5 May 2020 |author=Nair, Padmaraj}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chakravorty |first1=Vinayak |author-link1=Vinayak Chakravorty |title=Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega |url=http://www.go4i.com/cinema/reviews/bollywood/reviewshdjpk.shtml |access-date=1 August 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |year=2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010609210544/http://www.go4i.com/cinema/reviews/bollywood/reviewshdjpk.shtml |archive-date=9 June 2001}}</ref> She next appeared alongside [[Sanjay Dutt]] and Hrithik Roshan in [[Vidhu Vinod Chopra]]'s drama ''[[Mission Kashmir]]'' (2000).<ref>{{cite news |title=Mission Kashmir |date=2 June 2002 |last1=Handy |first1=Gina |last2=Carangelo |first2=John A. |work=[[The Herald Journal]] |page=58}}</ref> Set in the valley of [[Kashmir]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|Indo-Pakistani conflicts]], the film dealt with the topic of terrorism and crime;{{sfnm|1a1=Gulzar|1a2=Nihalani|1a3=Chatterjee|1y=2003|1p=130|2a1=Pervez|2y=2013|2pp=130–131}} it was an economic success, becoming the year's third-highest-grossing release in India.<ref>{{cite web |title=Box Office 2000 |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=2000&pageId=4 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=17 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225145323/https://boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=2000&pageId=4 |archive-date=25 February 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Zinta's role was that of Sufiya Parvez, a TV reporter and Roshan's childhood love.{{sfn|Sen|2005|p=217}} A review in ''[[The Hindu]]'' noted her for lending colour to an otherwise serious subject matter, and she shared similar sentiments about the character, citing its positive nature within the dark film as having sparked her interest in the part.<ref>{{cite news |author=Padmanabhan, Savitha |title=Film Review: ''Mission Kashmir'' |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2000/11/03/stories/09030222.htm |date=3 November 2000 |access-date=6 November 2007 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141008085206/http://www.thehindu.com/2000/11/03/stories/09030222.htm |archive-date=8 October 2014 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Different1">{{cite news |last1=Bhattacharya |first1=Roshmila |author-link=Roshmila Bhattacharya |title=Preity Zinta Different Strokes |url=http://www.screenindia.com/20010803/fcover1.html |access-date=5 May 2020 |work=Screen |date=3 August 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011031180954/http://www.screenindia.com/20010803/fcover1.html |archive-date=31 October 2001 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Preity Zinta 2001.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Zinta at the audio release of ''[[Chori Chori Chupke Chupke]]'' in 2001]]

In 2001, Zinta was paired with [[Sunny Deol]] in the action film ''[[Farz (2001 film)|Farz]]''. Her role was dismissed by critics, and the film failed commercially.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=1 August 2020 |archive-date=1 May 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140501115034/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/jan/13farz.htm |first1=Suparn |last1=Verma |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/jan/13farz.htm |title=Review: ''Farz'' |url-status=live |work=Rediff.com |date=13 January 2001}}</ref><ref name="BOI Filmography" /> [[Abbas–Mustan]]'s family drama ''[[Chori Chori Chupke Chupke]]'' was released later that year after a one-year delay due to [[#Personal life|the trial of producer Bharat Shah]] and opened to a wide audience.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harding |first1=Luke |title=Dirty money cleans up for Bollywood blockbuster |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/mar/14/filmnews.film |access-date=19 April 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=14 March 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510162843/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/mar/14/filmnews.film |archive-date=10 May 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> One of the first Hindi films to address the controversial issue of [[Surrogate mother|surrogate childbirth]],<ref>{{cite news |author=Prasad, Meghna |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/pune-times/experts-back-rent-a-womb-bill/articleshow/5699357.cms |date=2 April 2002 |title=Experts back 'rent-a-womb' bill |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=16 May 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111103943/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/pune-times/Experts-back-rent-a-womb-bill/articleshow/5699357.cms |archive-date=11 November 2012}}</ref> it starred Zinta as Madhubala, a [[Hooker with a heart of gold|golden-hearted prostitute]] hired as a surrogate mother.<ref name="Different1"/>{{sfn|Krämer|2017|p=258}} Initially reluctant to play the part, she eventually accepted it at the directors' persuasion and, to prepare for it, visited several bars and nightclubs at Mumbai's [[Red-light district|red-light areas]] to study the lingo and mannerisms of sex-workers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why Preity refused to play a prostitute ... |website=[[Sify]] |date=29 April 2005 |access-date=16 December 2011 |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/why-preity-refused-to-play-a-prostitute-news-bollywood-kkfv5gbagdf.html |agency=IndiaFM |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919212414/http://www.sify.com/movies/why-preity-refused-to-play-a-prostitute-news-bollywood-kkfv5gbagdf.html |archive-date=19 September 2013}}</ref> Reviews of the film were varied, but critics singled out Zinta for praise.<ref name="CCCCHT">{{cite news |access-date=3 September 2011 |archive-date=20 August 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010820232724/http://www.go4i.com/cinema/reviews/bollywood/reviewscccc.shtml |author=Chakravorty, Vinayak |author-link=Vinayak Chakravorty |url=http://www.go4i.com/cinema/reviews/bollywood/reviewscccc.shtml |title=Chori Chori Chupke Chupke |date=9 March 2001 |newspaper=Hindustan Times |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nair |first1=Padmaraj |title=Desi version of Surrogate Mother |url=http://www.screenindia.com/20010323/review.htm |access-date=20 April 2020 |work=Screen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030103111004/http://www.screenindia.com/20010323/review.htm |date=23 March 2001 |archive-date=3 January 2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |access-date=10 May 2020 |archive-date=9 April 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010409225755/http://tntmovies.thenewspapertoday.com/reviews/reviewcccc.shtml |author-link1=Dinesh Raheja |year=2001 |first1=Dinesh |last1=Raheja |url=http://tntmovies.thenewspapertoday.com/reviews/reviewcccc.shtml |title=''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'' – A Preity Show |url-status=live |work=India Today}}</ref> She received a second Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Filmfare Awards for her performance, of which reviewer [[Sukanya Verma]] wrote: "Preity Zinta, who clearly has the meatiest part of all, makes the best of it. Her transformation from the cocky and unabashed prostitute to a sensitive and warm person is amazingly believable."<ref name="awards" /><ref>{{cite web |author=Verma, Sukanya |title=Preity Trite |date=9 March 2001 |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/mar/09cccc.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=12 September 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124104455/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/mar/09cccc.htm |archive-date=24 January 2016}}</ref>

Two more 2001 releases featured Zinta, including [[Farhan Akhtar]]'s [[Coming-of-age story|coming-of-age]] ''[[Dil Chahta Hai]]''. Depicting the contemporary routine life of Indian affluent youth, it focuses on a period of transition in the lives of three young friends ([[Aamir Khan]], [[Saif Ali Khan]] and [[Akshaye Khanna]]).<ref>{{cite web |author=Arora, Pratiksha |title='It's the maddest unit I've worked with' |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/aug/09pre2.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=19 November 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316111939/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/aug/09pre2.htm |archive-date=16 March 2008}}</ref>{{sfnm|1a1=Dasgupta|1a2=Datta|1y=2018|1p=72–74|2a1=Dwyer|2y=2005|2pp=71–72|3a1=Mazumdar|3y=2007|3pp=143–144, 146–147}} Zinta played Aamir Khan's love interest Shalini, who is conflicted about her upcoming, loveless marriage. ''Dil Chahta Hai'' was popular with critics, some of whom believed it broke new ground with an unusually realistic portrayal of India's urban milieu.{{sfnm|1a1=Dasgupta|1a2=Datta|1y=2018|1pp=72–74|2a1=Dwyer|2y=2005|2pp=71–72|3a1=Mazumdar|3y=2007|3pp=143–144|4a1=Jha|4y=2005a|4p=92}} It was named [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi|Best Feature Film in Hindi]] at the [[49th National Film Awards]] and received the [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film]].<ref>{{cite news |access-date=3 December 2020 |archive-date=17 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217040611/https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/lagaan-dominates-national-awards/216573 |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/lagaan-dominates-national-awards/216573 |title=''Lagaan'' dominates National Awards |url-status=live |work=Outlook |date=26 July 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |access-date=3 December 2020 |archive-date=9 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109235721/http://www.screendaily.com/lagaan-sweeps-indian-filmfare-awards/408369.article |url=https://www.screendaily.com/lagaan-sweeps-indian-filmfare-awards/408369.article |title=''Lagaan'' sweeps Indian Filmfare Awards |work=[[Screen International]] |date=17 February 2002 |last=Hall |first=Bhuvan |url-status=live}}</ref> A moderate box-office success in India, it performed well in the big cities but failed in the rural areas, which was attributed by trade analysts to the city-oriented lifestyle it presented.<ref name="BOI Filmography" />{{sfnm|1a1=Dasgupta|1a2=Datta|1y=2018|1p=74|2a1=Gulzar|2a2=Nihalani|2a3=Chatterjee|2y=2003|2p=128}} [[Dinesh Raheja]] took note of Zinta's "casual and appealing acting", and [[Sita Menon]] described her as "beautiful and vibrant, wavering between endearingly naive and confused".<ref>{{cite news |access-date=1 August 2020 |archive-date=3 October 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011003194101/http://movies.thenewspapertoday.com/dch/review.shtml |first1=Dinesh |last1=Raheja |url=http://movies.thenewspapertoday.com/dch/review.shtml |title=''Dil Chahta Hai'' – Dude Awakening |work=India Today |year=2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=12 November 2007 |archive-date=14 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114124322/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/aug/10dil.htm |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/aug/10dil.htm |title=Trip on ''Dil Chahta Hai'' |url-status=live |work=Rediff.com |date=10 August 2001 |author=Menon, Sita}}</ref> Next followed [[Deepak Shivdasani]]'s ''[[Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke]]'', a romantic drama co-starring [[Ajay Devgn]] and [[Madhuri Dixit]] which was commercially and critically unsuccessful.<ref name="Champagne"/><ref name="BOI Filmography">{{cite web |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/actor.php?actorid=91 |title=Preity Zinta: Box Office Details and Filmography |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=2 August 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720010403/https://boxofficeindia.com/actor.php?actorid=91 |archive-date=20 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=2 August 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803015226/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/yeh-raaste-hai-pyaar-ke/critic-review/yeh-raaste-hai-pyaar-ke-movie-review/ |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/yeh-raaste-hai-pyaar-ke/critic-review/yeh-raaste-hai-pyaar-ke-movie-review/ |title=''Yeh Raaste Hai Pyaar Ke'' Movie Review |date=9 August 2001 |author=Adarsh, Taran |url-status=live |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]}}</ref>

In 2002, Zinta collaborated once again with director Kundan Shah, as the protagonist in the family drama ''[[Dil Hai Tumhaara]]'', alongside [[Rekha]], [[Mahima Chaudhry]] and [[Arjun Rampal]].<ref name="KK-DHT"/> She played Shalu, an adopted daughter craving love, a role she identified with due to its rebellious nature.<ref name="good times"/> Billed as a star vehicle for Zinta,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Harneet |title=Bollywood divas get rolling |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bollywood-divas-get-rolling/articleshow/21892317.cms?from=mdr |access-date=1 August 2020 |work=The Times of India |date=11 September 2002 |language=en |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210204202337/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bollywood-divas-get-rolling/articleshow/21892317.cms?from=mdr |archive-date=4 February 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Dil Hai Tumhaara'' did not succeed financially, but her portrayal was uniformly acclaimed by critics, with those critical of the film marking her presence as its main highlight.<ref name="BOI Filmography" /><ref name="Champagne"/><ref>Reviews of ''Dil Hai Tumhaara'':
* {{cite magazine |last=Elley |first=Derek |author-link=Derek Elley |title=Review: ''Dil Hai Tumhaara'' |magazine=Variety |date=7 October 2002 |url=https://variety.com/2002/film/reviews/dil-hai-tumhaara-1200545641/ |access-date=12 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518184946/http://variety.com/2002/film/reviews/dil-hai-tumhaara-1200545641/ |archive-date=18 May 2015}}
* {{cite news |last1=Pillai |first1=Jitesh |author-link1=Jitesh Pillai |title=Dil Hai Tumhaara |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bollywood/Dil-Hai-Tumhaara/articleshow/25545390.cms |access-date=1 August 2020 |work=The Times of India  |date=18 October 2002 |language=en |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803015615/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bollywood/Dil-Hai-Tumhaara/articleshow/25545390.cms |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite news |last1=Mohamed |first1=Khalid |title=Blame it on bio |url=http://web.mid-day.com/columns/Khalid_Mohammed/2002/September/30861.htm |access-date=1 August 2020 |work=[[Mid-Day]] |date=7 September 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040206060633/http://web.mid-day.com/columns/Khalid_Mohammed/2002/September/30861.htm |archive-date=6 February 2004 |language=en}}
* {{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/09/stories/2002090900740400.htm |date=9 September 2002 |author=Us Salam, Ziya |author-link=Ziya Us Salam |title=Affairs of the heart |access-date=26 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021126154405/http://thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/09/stories/2002090900740400.htm |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=26 November 2002}}</ref> [[Taran Adarsh]] from entertainment portal ''[[Bollywood Hungama]]'' noted: "...{{nbs}}Preity Zinta, in an author-backed role{{nbs}}... steals the show with a sterling performance{{nbs}}... Here's a performance that is sure to win accolades from the junta and critics whole-heartedly."<ref>{{cite web |author=Adarsh, Taran |title=Dil Hai Tumhara |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/201710 |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |date=6 September 2002 |access-date=24 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016185843/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/201710 |archive-date=16 October 2014}}</ref>

===Established actress (2003–2007)===
Zinta's career surged significantly in 2003 as she was the lead in India's three [[List of Hindi films of 2003|highest-grossing films of the year]]: ''[[The Hero: Love Story of a Spy]]'', ''[[Koi... Mil Gaya]]'' and ''[[Kal Ho Naa Ho]]''.<ref name="top actresses">{{cite web |publisher=Box Office India |title=Top Actress |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actress |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204132433/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actress |archive-date=4 December 2013 |access-date=8 January 2008}}</ref><ref name="2003 BO">{{cite web |title=Box Office 2003 |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=2003&pageId=4 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=8 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717214613/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=2003&pageId=4 |archive-date=17 July 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Hero'', co-starring [[Sunny Deol]] and [[Priyanka Chopra]], is an action drama about a [[Research and Analysis Wing]] (RAW) secret agent on a mission to gather intelligence about terrorist activity from across the border of Kashmir.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/apr/11hero.htm |title=A comicbook spy movie |author=Gumaste, Deepa |date=11 April 2003 |access-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live |work=Rediff.com |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803041747/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/apr/11hero.htm |archive-date=3 August 2020}}</ref> Zinta played the part of Reshma, a Kashmiri villager who falls in love with the agent and becomes part of this network. The film, involving stunts never seen before in the cinematic history of Bollywood, became the most expensive Hindi film ever produced at the time.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=8 May 2008 |archive-date=6 September 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050906214231/http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/films/2003/04/the_hero_index.shtml |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/films/2003/04/the_hero_index.shtml |title=The Hero: Love Story of a Spy |publisher=BBC |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Gangadhar, V |title=A dauntless hero |date=16 May 2003 |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/05/16/stories/2003051601120200.htm |access-date=27 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612074223/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/05/16/stories/2003051601120200.htm |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=12 June 2008}}</ref> The third-highest-grossing film of the year, it was labelled a disappointment against its high production costs.<ref name="2003 BO"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Bold themes and pretty faces |date=28 December 2003 |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031228/spectrum/main5.htm |newspaper=The Tribune |access-date=8 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121110907/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031228/spectrum/main5.htm |archive-date=21 November 2013}}</ref>

She next starred in [[Honey Irani]]'s directorial debut, ''[[Armaan (2003 film)|Armaan]]''; the drama is set in a hospital and follows the travails of its personnel and its principal, Dr. Akash ([[Anil Kapoor]]), who struggles arduously to sustain the institution financially and enters into a marriage of convenience to save it. Zinta played Akash's egocentric, excessively possessive and capricious wife Sonia Kapoor,{{sfn|Chaudhuri|2014|p=161}} a role written specially for her and which she considered her best to that point.<ref name="Champagne"/><ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Filmfare |page=34 |publisher=[[The Times Group]] |date=September 2003 |editor=Pillai, Jitesh |editor-link=Jitesh Pillai |author=Parkar, Hamida |url=http://filmfaremagazine.indiatimes.com/articleshow.cms?msid=149143&right=1&fright=1&botlink=1 |title=Zip Zap Zinta: A joy ride with Preity |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040828123208/http://filmfaremagazine.indiatimes.com/articleshow.cms?msid=149143&right=1&fright=1&botlink=1 |archive-date=28 August 2004 |access-date=20 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The film received predominantly positive reviews, and Zinta was particularly praised.<ref>{{cite news |author=Bariana, Sanjeev Singh |title=Preity Zinta all the way |date=18 May 2003 |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030518/cth2.htm#7 |newspaper=The Tribune |access-date=1 February 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315213113/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030518/cth2.htm |archive-date=15 March 2008}}</ref> Khalid Mohamed called her a "peppy scene-stealer, achieving her manic mood swings dexterously", and Vinayak Chakravorty of ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' concluded that she "takes over the script and, indeed, the film" with "a brilliant act".<ref>{{cite news |author=Mohamed, Khalid |url=http://www.mid-day.com/columns/2003/may/53213.htm |date=18 May 2003 |title=What's up doc? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040205040412/http://web.mid-day.com/columns/khalid_mohammed/2003/may/53213.htm |archive-date=5 February 2004 |newspaper=[[Mid-Day]] |access-date=5 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=23 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023012114/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/NM2/Armaan/Article1-5766.aspx |first1=Vinayak |last1=Chakravorty |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/NM2/Armaan/Article1-5766.aspx |title=Armaan |url-status=dead |work=Hindustan Times |date=17 May 2003}}</ref> For her performance, she received nominations for Best Performance in a Negative Role at different award ceremonies, including Filmfare.<ref name="awards" />
[[File:Audio Launch of Kal Ho Naa Ho.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Zinta pictured with [[Saif Ali Khan]] (left) and [[Shah Rukh Khan]] at an event for ''[[Kal Ho Naa Ho]]'' in 2003]]

[[Rakesh Roshan]]'s science-fiction film ''Koi... Mil Gaya'', about a [[Developmental disability|developmentally disabled]] young man (Hrithik Roshan) coming in contact with an alien, followed.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/is-autism-on-the-rise-the-1995-persons-with-disabilities-act-doesn-t-cover-the-disorder/cid/1020638 |title=Is autism on the rise? |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=11 July 2004 |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803033414/https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/is-autism-on-the-rise-the-1995-persons-with-disabilities-act-doesn-t-cover-the-disorder/cid/1020638 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Jha|2005a|p=94}} Zinta's portrayal of Nisha, a young woman whom Roshan befriends and falls in love with, was deemed "fresh and inspired" by ''[[The Times of India]]''.<ref>{{cite news |access-date=21 April 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803015922/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Roshan-Gada-talks-offer-no-solution/articleshow/119224.cms |first1=Omar |last1=Qureshi |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Hrithik-does-jadoo-in-Koi-Mil-Gaya/articleshow/119141.cms |title=Hrithik does jadoo in ''Koi... Mil Gaya'' |work=The Times of India  |url-status=live |date=7 August 2003}}</ref> Regarded as the "most novel Bollywood movie of the year" by ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine,<ref>{{cite news |access-date=21 April 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803020020/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/koi-mil-gaya-review/ |first1=Omar |last1=Ahmed |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/koi-mil-gaya-review/ |title=''Koi... Mil Gaya'' Review |work=Empire |date=21 August 2003 |language=en |url-status=live}}</ref> the film emerged as India's most popular film of the year with a domestic total of {{INRConvert|680|m|year=2003}}.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803054147/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/koi-mil-gaya-i-found-someone |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/koi-mil-gaya-i-found-someone |title=''Koi... Mil Gaya'' (I Found Someone) |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="2003 BO"/> It went on to spawn two superhero sequels{{emdash}}''[[Krrish]]'' and ''[[Krrish&nbsp;3]]''{{emdash}}making it the first of the [[Krrish (franchise)|''Krrish'' film series]], to which Zinta did not proceed.<ref>{{cite news |access-date=31 January 2018 |archive-date=1 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201020241/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/rock-on-2-force-2-kahaani-2-bollywood-is-riding-high-on-sequels/story-pBVy05VxoMWBRBZ0zyPnmM.html |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/rock-on-2-force-2-kahaani-2-bollywood-is-riding-high-on-sequels/story-pBVy05VxoMWBRBZ0zyPnmM.html |title=''Rock On 2'', ''Force 2'', ''Kahaani 2'': Bollywood is riding high on sequels |newspaper=Hindustan Times |publisher=HT Media Limited |date=11 May 2017 |last=Chopra |first=Rukmini |url-status=live}}</ref>

Set in New York City, [[Nikhil Advani]]'s romantic drama ''[[Kal Ho Naa Ho]]'' starred Zinta as Naina Catherine Kapur, an insecure and irritable [[Indian-American]] who falls for a man with a fatal [[heart disease]] (Shah Rukh Khan).{{sfn|Kumar|2013|p=131}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/apr/01nikhil.htm |title=Shah Rukh will never admit he has a problem |author=Verma, Sukanya |work=Rediff.com |date=1 April 2004 |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803032820/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/apr/01nikhil.htm |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> The film earned over {{INRConvert|750|m|year=2003}} worldwide: the second-biggest hit of the year after ''Koi... Mil Gaya'' in India and the top-grossing Hindi film overseas.<ref name="2003 BO" /><ref name="Worldwide gross">{{cite web |title=Top Lifetime Grossers Worldwide (IND Rs) |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=312&catName=TGlmZXRpbWU= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021202725/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=312&catName=TGlmZXRpbWU%3D |archive-date=21 October 2013 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=17 September 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=10 February 2007 |archive-date=2 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102014744/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/dec/03kal.htm |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/dec/03kal.htm |title=''KHNH'' makes waves in UK too! |work=Rediff.com |date=3 December 2003 |url-status=live}}</ref> Critics received ''Kal Ho Naa Ho'' favourably,<ref>{{cite web |access-date=3 December 2020 |archive-date=9 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409035532/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1135237_kal_ho_naa_ho |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1135237_kal_ho_naa_ho? |title=''Kal Ho Naa Ho'' (2003) |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=3 December 2020 |archive-date=7 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107074543/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/kal-ho-naa-ho |url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/kal-ho-naa-ho |title=''Kal Ho Naa Ho'' 2003 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Ram Kamal Mukherjee]] of ''[[Stardust (magazine)|Stardust]]'' asserted that it exclusively rested on Zinta's "astounding performance", noting her for having "skillfully handled the hues of the complex character".<ref>{{cite magazine |access-date=30 March 2015 |archive-date=26 December 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031226072038/http://www.stardust.co.in/display_Standard.asp?section=reviews&subsection=&xml=December2003_reviews_standard50 |author=Mukherjee, Ram Kamal |magazine=[[Stardust (magazine)|Stardust]] |url=http://www.stardust.co.in/display_Standard.asp?section=reviews&subsection=&xml=December2003_reviews_standard50 |title=Kal Ho Naa Ho |date=28 November 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |access-date=20 November 2007 |archive-date=16 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216055712/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117922631?refcatid=31 |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117922631?refcatid=31 |title=New international release ''Kal Ho Naa Ho'' |date=10 December 2003 |author=Elley, Derek |authorlink=Derek Elley |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> At the [[49th Filmfare Awards]], Zinta received two Best Actress nominations: one for ''Koi... Mil Gaya'', which was named [[Filmfare Award for Best Film|Best Film]], and another for ''Kal Ho Naa Ho'', for which she won the award,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/477404.cms?&fright=1&right=1 |title=Nominees for the 49th Manikchand Filmfare Awards 2003 |work=The Times of India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040323042338/https://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/477404.cms?&fright=1&right=1 |archive-date=23 March 2004 |access-date=14 July 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="awards02">{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/filmfare/20040222.htm |title=For Hrithik, it is a Preity night to remember |author=Rediff Entertainment Bureau |work=Rediff.com |date=23 February 2004 |access-date=6 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402121906/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/filmfare/20040222.htm |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> in addition to accolades from other functions, including [[IIFA Award for Best Actress|IIFA]] and [[Stardust Award for Actor of the Year&nbsp;– Female|Stardust]].<ref name="awards" /><ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129100735/http://www.sify.com/movies/shahid-amrita-bag-stardust-awards-news-bollywood-kkfvNLfhfhesi.html |archive-date=29 January 2018 |title=Shahid, Amrita bag 'Stardust' awards |website=[[Sify]] |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/shahid-amrita-bag-stardust-awards-news-bollywood-kkfvNLfhfhesi.html |date=29 February 2004 |access-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2004, Zinta played TV journalist Romila Dutta in Farhan Akhtar's war drama ''[[Lakshya (2004 film)|Lakshya]]'', alongside Hrithik Roshan. The film is based on the historical events of the 1999 [[Kargil War]], and Zinta's character is modelled after [[Barkha Dutt]], the only female reporter who covered the conflict.{{sfn|Saleh|Knieper|2018|p=168–170}} She called it the toughest film she had worked on and said it made her respect journalists.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=16 February 2021 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728225210/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/jun/16preity.htm |first1=Vaihayasi P. |last1=Daniel |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/jun/16preity.htm |title='''Lakshya'' is the toughest film of my career' |date=16 June 2004 |last2=Verma |first2=Sukanya |url-status=live |work=Rediff.com}}</ref> To provide an accurate portrayal, she watched a number of Dutt's television shows and read books on the conflict.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-my-character-is-based-on-barkha-dutt-1176432 |title=My character is based on Barkha Dutt |newspaper=Daily News and Analysis |date=8 July 2008 |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |access-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803042554/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-my-character-is-based-on-barkha-dutt-1176432 |archive-date=3 August 2020}}</ref> The film was a critical success, yet her performance received mixed reviews; [[Namrata Joshi]] of ''[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]'' likened her to "a teenybopper trying to do a TV news reading skit for her college fest",<ref>{{cite magazine |access-date=6 December 2011 |archive-date=26 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126022652/http://outlookindia.com/article.aspx?224392 |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?224392 |title=Lakshya |date=5 July 2004 |author=Joshi, Namrata |magazine=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> and Rediff.com's Rajeev Pai observed that despite a good part, she only "does a fairly decent job of it without ever being spectacular".<ref>{{cite web |access-date=6 November 2007 |archive-date=2 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102224526/http://in.rediff.com/movies/2004/jun/18lakshya.htm |url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2004/jun/18lakshya.htm |title=Watch ''Lakshya''. You won't be disappointed |url-status=live |work=Rediff.com |date=18 June 2004 |author=Pai, Rajeev}}</ref> ''Lakshya'' failed to attract an audience, grossing {{INRConvert|235.6|m}} against its {{INRConvert|330|m}} budget.<ref name="BOI Filmography" /><ref>{{cite news |access-date=16 February 2021 |url=https://variety.com/2004/film/reviews/lakshya-1200532726/ |title=Lakshya |work=Variety |date=18 June 2004 |last=Elley |first=Derek}}</ref>

For the lead part in his cross-border romance ''[[Veer-Zaara]]'' (2004), [[Yash Chopra]] was looking for an actress whose "look and personality could be transformed". Having identified this opportunity in Zinta, who was mostly known for playing westernised characters, he cast her in the title role of Zaara Haayat Khan, a feisty Pakistani woman whose love story with Indian officer Veer Pratap Singh (Shah Rukh Khan) spans three decades amid trials and tribulations.<ref name="Choprint">{{cite web |last1=Jha |first1=Subhash K. |title=There was constant argument between Aditya and me |url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2004/sep/14yash.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=18 April 2020 |language=en |date=14 September 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605114907/http://in.rediff.com/movies/2004/sep/14yash.htm |archive-date=5 June 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Gopal|2012|pp=50–55}} Highly anticipated pre-release, the film had a strong international release, including a screening at the [[Berlin International Film Festival]], and was named Best Film at major Indian award functions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Yash Chopra on Berlin Film Festival Jury |date=18 January 2006 |url=http://www.yashrajfilms.com/news/yc_berlinaile.htm |publisher=[[Yash Raj Films]] |access-date=17 October 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070618144056/http://www1.yashrajfilms.com/news/yc_berlinaile.htm |archive-date=18 June 2007}}</ref><ref>List of awards received by ''Veer-Zaara'':
* {{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Rani-reigns-Shah-rules-at-50th-Filmfare-Awards/articleshow/1034001.cms |title=Rani reigns, Shah rules at 50th Filmfare Awards |newspaper=The Times of India |agency=Times News Network |author1=Rajadhyaksha, Radha |author2=Ansari, Shabana |date=26 February 2005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803052934/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Rani-reigns-Shah-rules-at-50th-Filmfare-Awards/articleshow/1034001.cms |archive-date=3 August 2020 |access-date=3 August 2020}}
* {{cite news |url=https://www.screendaily.com/veer-zaara-wins-at-indian-film-industry-oscars/4023430.article |title=''Veer Zaara'' wins at Indian film industry Oscars |author=Dams, Tim |work=Screen |date=12 June 2005 |access-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803042921/https://www.screendaily.com/veer-zaara-wins-at-indian-film-industry-oscars/4023430.article |archive-date=3 August 2020}}
* {{cite news |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/veer-zaara-dominates-bollywood-awards/295792 |title=''Veer-Zaara'' dominates Bollywood Awards |date=1 May 2005 |access-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live |work=Outlook |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803043328/https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/veer-zaara-dominates-bollywood-awards/295792 |archive-date=3 August 2020}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/mar/28zee.htm |title=''Veer-Zaara'': Hot fave at the Zee awards! |author=Jha, Subhash K. |date=28 March 2005 |access-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live |work=Rediff.com |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803052659/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/mar/28zee.htm |archive-date=3 August 2020}}</ref> With revenues of over {{INRConvert|940|m|year=2004}}, it was [[List of Bollywood films of 2004|that year's top-grossing Hindi film]] both in India and abroad.<ref name="Worldwide gross"/> Zinta's part required her to master the fine nuances of the Urdu language.<ref name="Talk Asia interview"/> Though excited at first, she later "got knots in her stomach" worrying about her performance, but Chopra assured her.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=15 July 2020 |archive-date=19 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319151247/http://www.sify.com/movies/preity-zinta-post-veer-zaara-news-bollywood-kkfvDLihgabsi.html |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/preity-zinta-post-veer-zaara-news-bollywood-kkfvDLihgabsi.html |title=Preity Zinta, post ''Veer-Zaara'' |date=25 November 2004 |url-status=dead |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> Her work resulted in a fourth Filmfare Best Actress nomination, among others.<ref name="awards" /> Jitesh Pillai wrote of her "tremendous restraint", and Avijit Ghosh of ''[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]'' likewise believed she had delivered her most nuanced performance.<ref>{{cite news |access-date=18 April 2020 |archive-date=23 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223005032/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bollywood/Veer-Zaara/articleshow/923432.cms |first1=Jitesh |last1=Pillai |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bollywood/Veer-Zaara/articleshow/923432.cms |title=Veer Zaara |work=The Times of India  |url-status=live |date=15 November 2004 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1041119/asp/etc/story_4000380.asp |title=Grand passion lore |last=Ghosh |first=Avijit |work=The Telegraph |date=19 November 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208160528/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1041119/asp/etc/story_4000380.asp |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref> [[Derek Elley]] of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' hailed her as "the most interesting young actress of her generation".<ref>{{cite magazine |access-date=21 October 2007 |archive-date=8 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108055811/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117925580?refcatid=31 |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117925580?refcatid=31 |title=New Int'l. Release ''Veer-Zaara'' |date=6 December 2004 |author=Elley, Derek |magazine=Variety |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Veer-Zaara'' was Zinta's second highest-grossing film and third major success in two consecutive years.<ref name="top actresses"/>

Zinta starred opposite [[Govinda (actor)|Govinda]] in the 2005 folk comedy ''[[Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen]]'', a production that had been delayed since 2002.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=12 September 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912165240/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/mar/13news.htm |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/mar/13news.htm |title=''Paanch'', ''Khullam Khulla Pyaar Kare'' releases postponed |work=Rediff.com |date=13 March 2002 |url-status=live}}</ref> The film garnered negative reviews and poor box office returns,<ref name="BOI Filmography" /> and Subhash K. Jha found Zinta's work to be incompatible with her screen image and acting style.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jha |first1=Subhash K. |title=Govinda makes tacky comedy watchable |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/govinda-makes-tacky-comedy-watchable/story-wV00vbSjmuSIhZdsFMut7H.html |access-date=20 April 2020 |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=4 May 2005 |language=en |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803020326/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/baghjan-gas-well-fire-not-spreading-says-district-administration/story-QqDT967sESh5bJ7YzAOM2M.html |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=22 March 2007 |archive-date=18 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218202036/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/7283/index.html |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/7283/index.html |title=Khullam Khulla Pyar Karen |date=29 April 2005 |author=Adarsh, Taran |url-status=dead |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]}}</ref> Critics and moviegoers were more appreciative that year of [[Siddharth Anand]]'s comedy-drama ''[[Salaam Namaste]]'', which saw Zinta and Saif Ali Khan as a contemporary [[cohabitation|cohabiting]] Indian couple in Australia dealing with an unexpected pregnancy.{{sfnm|1a1=De|1a2=Sarwal|1y=2016|1pp=280–285|2a1=Kumar|2y=2013|2pp=131–132|3a1=Mehta|3y=2017|3p=351}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Pratim D. |author-link1=Pratim D. Gupta |title=Salaam stars, namaste hit |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/salaam-stars-namaste-hit/cid/1277562 |access-date=15 July 2020 |work=The Telegraph |date=13 September 2005 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803033006/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/salaam-stars-namaste-hit/cid/1277562 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Produced on a big budget by Yash Raj Films,{{sfn|Hassam|2010|p=65}} it was the first Indian feature filmed entirely in Australia and became the year's highest-grossing Indian production outside of India and overall [[List of Hindi films of 2005|third-highest-grossing Hindi film]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/bollywood-on-bourke-street-20050513-ge05j3.html |title=Bollywood on Bourke Street |newspaper=[[The Age]] |date=13 May 2005 |agency=[[Australian Associated Press]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017083125/https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/bollywood-on-bourke-street-20050513-ge05j3.html |archive-date=17 October 2019 |access-date=6 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Karena |first1=Cynthia |title=Salaam Namaste: From Mumbai to Melbourne |journal=Metro Magazine: Media & Education Magazine |date=January 2005 |issue=146/147 |pages=86–88 |url=https://search.informit.org/doi/epdf/10.3316/ielapa.043563294014837 |language=EN |issn=0312-2654}}</ref> earning {{INRConvert|572|m|year=2005}}.<ref name="Overseas market"/> Zinta received a number of Best Actress nominations for playing the protagonist Ambar Malhotra, a single modern young woman who leaves India to make her own life in Melbourne and works as a radio host while studying medicine.{{sfnm|1a1=De|1a2=Sarwal|1y=2016|1pp=280–285|2a1=Kumar|2y=2013|2pp=131–132|3a1=Mehta|3y=2017|3p=351}}<ref name="awards" /> Devyani Srivastava of ''[[Mid-Day]]'' considered the independent, strong-minded character of Ambar to be a rare Hindi film heroine, and Taran Adarsh argued that Zinta had given "her most accomplished performance to date".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Srivastava |first1=Devyani |title=Pyaar mein twist |url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2005/sep/118394.htm |access-date=15 June 2020 |work=[[Mid-Day]] |date=11 September 2005 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130830194925/http://www.mid-day.com/news/2005/sep/118394.htm |archive-date=30 August 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=15 September 2007 |archive-date=10 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910063426/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/65071 |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/65071 |title=Salaam Namaste |date=9 September 2005 |author=Adarsh, Taran |url-status=dead |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]}}</ref> Anita Gates of ''[[The New York Times]]'' noted Ambar's negative shades but admired Zinta's positive personality, by which she remains likable even despite uncharitable traits in her characters.<ref>{{cite news |author=Gates, Anita |title=True to the Bollywood Look, While Defying Traditions |date=10 September 2005 |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/2005/09/10/movies/10nama.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=7 February 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130830194841/http://movies.nytimes.com/2005/09/10/movies/10nama.html?_r=0 |archive-date=30 August 2013}}</ref>
[[File:PreityZinta.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Zinta at a promotional event for ''[[Jaan-E-Mann]]'' in 2006]]

Zinta received further success in 2006, starring in Karan Johar's drama ''[[Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna]]'' alongside Shah Rukh Khan, [[Rani Mukerji]], [[Abhishek Bachchan]], and [[Amitabh Bachchan]].<ref name="BOI Filmography" /><ref>{{cite news |access-date=2 August 2020 |archive-date=20 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061120094627/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2006/08/18/stories/2006081800170200.htm |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2006/08/18/stories/2006081800170200.htm |title=On marriage and infidelity – ''Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehana'' |author=Kamath, Sudhish |author-link=Sudhish Kamath |date=18 August 2006 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> The film became [[List of Hindi films of 2006|one of the biggest box-office hits in India]], earning {{INRConvert|635|m|year=2006}}, and grossed over {{INRConvert|496|m|year=2006}} abroad{{emdash}}the biggest Bollywood success of all-time in the overseas market up until then.<ref>{{cite news |title=Top Worldwide Grossers 2006 |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/worldwide-total-gross.php?year=2006 |access-date=10 January 2023 |publisher=Box Office India}}</ref> It was Zinta's fourth overseas top-earner in four consecutive years.<ref name="Overseas market">{{cite web |title=Top Lifetime Grossers Overseas (IND Rs) |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=337&catName=TGlmZXRpbWUgSW4gSU5EIFJz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109193432/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=337&catName=TGlmZXRpbWUgSW4gSU5EIFJz |archive-date=9 November 2013 |publisher=[[Box Office India]] |access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref> Revolving around two unhappily married couples in New York, the film featured Zinta as Rhea Saran, an ambitious fashion magazine editor whose husband begins an adulterous affair with a family acquaintance.{{sfnm|1a1=Gopal|1y=2012|1p=77|2a1=Mishra|2y=2008|2pp=477–479}} She described the part as an attempt to shed her vivacious public image.<ref name="bubbly image">{{cite web |title=I'm sick of my bubbly image: Preity Zinta |date=17 March 2006 |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/i-m-sick-of-my-bubbly-image-preity-zinta-news-bollywood-kkfvpnghabj.html |website=[[Sify]] |access-date=5 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820031203/http://www.sify.com/movies/i-m-sick-of-my-bubbly-image-preity-zinta-news-bollywood-kkfvpnghabj.html |archive-date=20 August 2012}}</ref> ''Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'' polarised critics, but ''[[The Indian Express]]'' approved of Zinta's effort, noting her for having "walked with poise, sat with grace, smiled with composure and spoken with calmness".<ref>{{cite news |access-date=30 August 2008 |archive-date=21 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421225514/http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=72324 |url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=72324 |title=Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna |date=12 August 2006 |author=Aprajita, Anil |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |url-status=live}}</ref> Other reviews questioned the limited length of her role.<ref>{{cite news |access-date=4 May 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803020608/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/kabhi-alvida-naa-kehna/movie-review/1906317.cms |first1=Nikhat |last1=Kazmi |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/kabhi-alvida-naa-kehna/movie-review/1906317.cms |title=''Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'' Movie Review |work=The Times of India  |url-status=live |date=11 August 2006}}</ref> In later years, ''Filmfare'' and ''[[Verve (Indian magazine)|Verve]]'' lauded the character for breaking stereotypes of screen portrayals of married women in Hindi films.<ref>{{cite news |access-date=4 May 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803020528/https://www.filmfare.com/features/10-reasons-why-we-still-love-kabhi-alvida-naa-kehna-15045.html |first1=Ushnota |last1=Paul |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/10-reasons-why-we-still-love-kabhi-alvida-naa-kehna-15045.html |title=10 reasons why we still love ''Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'' |work=Filmfare  |url-status=live |date=11 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |access-date=2 July 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803020453/https://www.vervemagazine.in/arts-and-culture/a-nostaligic-re-living-of-kabhi-alvida-naa-kehna |first1=Shraddha |last1=Jahagirdar-Saxena |url=https://www.vervemagazine.in/arts-and-culture/a-nostaligic-re-living-of-kabhi-alvida-naa-kehna |title=A nostalgic re-living of ''Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'' |url-status=live |work=[[Verve (Indian magazine)|Verve]] |date=11 August 2018}}</ref>

Zinta next appeared in [[Shirish Kunder]]'s romantic musical ''[[Jaan-E-Mann]]'' (2006). She played Piya, the cynosure of two men in the United States ([[Salman Khan]] and Akshay Kumar).<ref>{{cite news |title=Exceptional roles in Hollywood acceptable: Priety |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200609201360.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223174417/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200609201360.htm |archive-date=23 December 2007 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=20 September 2006 |access-date=6 November 2007 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> The film opened to mixed reviews from critics and its eventual box office profit was poor.<ref name="BOI Filmography" /> Despite being mostly criticised for taking a role of minimal importance, she was complimented on her performance and appearance.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=20 November 2006 |archive-date=1 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101132210/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masands-verdict-jaanemann-jars/24411-8-p1.html |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masands-verdict-jaanemann-jars/24411-8-p1.html |title=Masand's verdict: ''Jaan-e-mann'' jars |publisher=CNN-IBN |date=20 October 2006 |author=Masand, Rajeev |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Sen, Raja |title=Akshay's goofy laugh wins you over |date=20 October 2006 |url=http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2006/oct/20jaan1.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=20 November 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061119064035/http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2006/oct/20jaan1.htm |archive-date=19 November 2006}}</ref> She said the film was a great relief after the more emotionally intense ''Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'', as ''Jaan-E-Mann'' was "easy, happy and much more simple".<ref>{{cite web |author=Banerjee, Akanksha |title=Success came early to me: Preity |date=26 September 2006 |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/success-came-early-to-me-preity/22574-8-p1.html |publisher=CNN-IBN |access-date=31 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220192741/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/success-came-early-to-me-preity/22574-8-p1.html |archive-date=20 February 2009}}</ref> Even less successful was her next turn as [[British Pakistanis|British Pakistani]] woman Alvira Khan in her third project with Yash Raj Films, the musical comedy ''[[Jhoom Barabar Jhoom]]'' (2007), co-starring Abhishek Bachchan, [[Bobby Deol]] and [[Lara Dutta]]. The film was a commercial failure in India and critics panned her performance;<ref name="BOI Filmography" /><ref>{{cite news |access-date=9 April 2008 |archive-date=14 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414205815/http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/17/stories/2007061750150200.htm |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/17/stories/2007061750150200.htm |title=''Jhoom Barabar Jhoom'' goes bust film reviews |date=17 June 2007 |author=Us Salam, Ziya |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''The Times of India'' described her as "too plastic"<ref>{{cite news |access-date=14 September 2007 |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105124043/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Jhoom-Barabar-Jhoom/movie-review/2127129.cms |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Jhoom-Barabar-Jhoom/movie-review/2127129.cms |title=Jhoom Barabar Jhoom |date=16 June 2007 |author=Kazmi, Nikhat |newspaper=The Times of India |url-status=live}}</ref> and Rediff.com concluded, "From accent to emotion, Preity is plain and simple insufferable in this film."<ref>{{cite web |author=Sen, Raja |title=Jhoom Bore-abar Jhoom |date=15 June 2007 |url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2007/jun/15jhoom1.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=20 May 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926153736/http://in.rediff.com/movies/2007/jun/15jhoom1.htm |archive-date=26 September 2008}}</ref>

===Professional expansion (2007–2008)===
Following the failure of two of her commercial releases, Zinta decided to venture into [[art film]]s, a movement of neo-realistic films known in India as [[parallel cinema]].<ref name="art film">{{cite news |access-date=16 November 2007 |archive-date=5 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605135941/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/dresscircle/Deepa-Mehta-signs-Preity-Zinta-for-Heaven-on-Earth/Article1-249879.aspx |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/dresscircle/Deepa-Mehta-signs-Preity-Zinta-for-Heaven-on-Earth/Article1-249879.aspx |title=Deepa Mehta signs Preity Zinta for ''Heaven on Earth'' |date=27 September 2007 |author=Jha, Subhash K. |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> She acted alongside Amitabh Bachchan in her first English-language film, [[Rituparno Ghosh]]'s [[Story within a story#Nested films|film-within-a-film]] drama ''[[The Last Lear]]'' (2007).<ref>{{cite news |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803034929/https://www.screendaily.com/the-last-lear/4034634.article |url=https://www.screendaily.com/the-last-lear/4034634.article |title=The Last Lear |url-status=live |work=Screen |date=17 September 2007 |author=Dan, Fainaru}}</ref> Zinta played Shabnam, a struggling film actress working on a new project opposite Shakespearean actor Harish Mishra (Bachchan) in the midst of a turbulent relationship with her possessive husband. The film premiered at the [[2007 Toronto International Film Festival]] and was received well.{{sfn|Chakravarti|2017|p=117}}<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-award-winning-indian-director-ghosh-dies-at-49-2013may30-story,amp.html |title=Award-winning Indian director Ghosh dies at 49 |date=30 May 2013 |newspaper=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |agency=Associated Press |access-date=6 July 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803020820/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-award-winning-indian-director-ghosh-dies-at-49-2013may30-story.html?_amp=true |archive-date=3 August 2020}}</ref> Later reviews in India were approving, with [[Rajeev Masand]] writing that she "gets through her scenes competently, never allowing her cute-as-a-button image to take away from the impact she makes here as a conflicted, mature woman".<ref>{{cite web |access-date=12 December 2009 |archive-date=13 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113072003/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masands-verdict-the-last-lear-is-slyly-over-the-top/73463-8-p1.html |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masands-verdict-the-last-lear-is-slyly-over-the-top/73463-8-p1.html |title=Masand's Verdict: ''The Last Lear'' is slyly over the top |publisher=[[CNN-IBN]] |date=13 September 2008 |author=Masand, Rajeev |url-status=dead}}</ref> Sukanya Verma called Zinta "palpably vulnerable" but lamented the English dialogue, finding it distracting "from the seriousness of the situation".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Verma |first1=Sukanya |title=Effectively intriguing |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/lear/20080912.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=20 April 2020 |language=en |date=12 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006132618/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/lear/20080912.htm |archive-date=6 October 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Last Lear'' was named the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in English|Best English Film]] at the [[55th National Film Awards]].<ref>{{cite news |archive-date=29 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229170527/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Rituparno-wins-national-award-for-Last-Lear/articleshow/4984188.cms |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Rituparno-wins-national-award-for-Last-Lear/articleshow/4984188.cms |title=Rituparno wins national award for ''Last Lear'' |work=The Times of India |publisher=Times News Network |date=8 September 2009 |last=Sengupta |first=Ratnottama |url-status=live}}</ref> Initially dismissive of art films, Zinta eventually spoke positively of her experiment with the genre, confessing, "I did think with art films that they don't pay you, they don't feed you, but I was wrong, and I'm so happy to be here."<ref>{{cite news |author=Yelajam, Prithi |title=India's top stars not afraid to take risks |date=10 September 2007 |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/254778 |work=Toronto Star |access-date=6 November 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011120600/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/254778 |archive-date=11 October 2007}}</ref>

Zinta next starred in [[Samir Karnik]]'s ''[[Heroes (2008 film)|Heroes]]'' (2008), a three-chapter [[road movie]] about two film students who, as part of an assignment, travel across North India to deliver three un-posted letters written by army personnel who lost their lives during the 1999 Kargil war to their families. Zinta is featured in the first chapter as Salman Khan's war widow, Kuljeet Kaur, a woman who becomes the sole breadwinner of the family and single-handedly raises her son. In preparation for the role Zinta attended [[Anupam Kher]]'s acting school, "Actor Prepares" to learn the dialect and mannerisms of a Punjabi woman.<ref>{{cite news |title=Preity has no marriage plans right now |date=26 October 2008 |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200810261561.htm |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |access-date=26 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219023904/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200810261561.htm |archive-date=19 February 2009}}</ref> The film was released to a mixed critical reaction, but her performance received rave reviews; Anand Singh of ''Hindustan Times'' wrote: "Karnik is merely interested in wringing tears the old-fashioned way, and not in starting a debate. He succeeds{{emdash}}mainly because Preity Zinta brings to a role a gravitas and dignity that is seen on the faces of ordinary women{{emdash}}this may be her coming of age as an actress."<ref>{{cite news |author=Singh, Anand |title=Rang de motorcycling |date=24 October 2008 |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Reviews/Review-Heroes/Article1-346983.aspx |newspaper=Hindustan Times |access-date=20 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712194803/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Reviews/Review-Heroes/Article1-346983.aspx |archive-date=12 July 2012}}</ref>
<!-- {{quote box|align=left|width=35em|quote="What Mehta truly succeeds at is extracting a landmark performance out of Preity Zinta. The actress immortalised in effervescence erases any trace of happiness she may have previously conveyed with her startling transformation into Chand. Known for her forthright ways and liberated views, Preity breaks away from her real-life image to effectively slip into the wounded soul of her character. Even when she talks to the camera, unexpectedly breaking into grim, trance-filled monologues, there's immense fervour in her convictions."|source=—Sukanya Verma on Zinta's performance in ''Heaven on Earth''}} -->

In the same year she played the leading role of Chand in [[Deepa Mehta]]'s Canadian film ''[[Heaven on Earth (2008 film)|Heaven on Earth]]'', a [[Punjabi language|Punjabi-language]] mystical drama based on the true story of a young Indian woman who, after an arranged marriage to a [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|non-resident Indian]] man from Canada, migrates to Toronto and becomes a victim of severe domestic abuse.{{sfn|Clini|2018|pp=50–69}} Zinta described Mehta as one director she was longing to work with to fulfill her desire for "a new kind of acting challenge".<ref name="art film"/> To prepare for the part, she studied extensively the subject of domestic violence and took a crash course in Punjabi, a language that was totally alien to her.<ref>{{cite news |author=Jha, Subhash K. |title=Punjabi was alien to me: Preity |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Punjabi-was-alien-to-me-Preity/articleshow/3231939.cms |date=15 July 2008 |access-date=10 August 2011 |agency=Times News Network |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919214009/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-15/news-interviews/27921262_1_preity-zinta-punjabi-deepa-mehta |archive-date=19 September 2012 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live}}</ref> She confessed to not being able to emotionally disconnect from the part during the making of the film: "I never knew a character would affect me so deeply. I've become completely withdrawn and introspective{{nbs}}... I can't snap out of the character."<ref>{{cite news |title=Preity cries for home |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Preity-cries-for-home/articleshow/2604302.cms |date=8 December 2007 |access-date=10 August 2011 |agency=Times News Network |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919214021/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-12-08/news-interviews/27962575_1_preity-zinta-deepa-mehta-priety-zinta |archive-date=19 September 2012 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live}}</ref> She eventually called it her most challenging project, as it helped her "shed everything that Preity Zinta was about".<ref>{{cite news |access-date=27 May 2008 |archive-date=12 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712094055/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/interviewscinema/Heaven-on-Earth-my-most-challenging-film-Preity/Article1-281094.aspx |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/interviewscinema/Heaven-on-Earth-my-most-challenging-film-Preity/Article1-281094.aspx |title=''Heaven on Earth'' is my most challenging film: Preity Zinta |date=10 March 2008 |author=Jain, Princy |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Heaven on Earth'' was first screened at several film festivals and garnered career-best reviews for Zinta.<ref>Reviews of ''Heaven on Earth'' in India:
* {{cite web |last1=Masand |first1=Rajeev |title=Masand's Movie Review: ''Videsh'' a thought-provoking film |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masands-movie-review-videsh-a-thoughtprovoking-film/88864-8.html |publisher=CNN-IBN |access-date=1 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330055416/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masands-movie-review-videsh-a-thoughtprovoking-film/88864-8.html |archive-date=30 March 2009 |url-status=dead |date=28 March 2009}}
* {{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Anuj |title=Tale of a tormented wife&nbsp;– ''Videsh - Heaven On Earth'' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/archive/print/2009/04/03/ |access-date=1 August 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=3 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110142456/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2009/04/03/stories/2009040350030200.htm |archive-date=10 November 2012 |language=en}}
* {{cite web |last1=Chopra |first1=Anupama |title=Videsh: Heaven on Earth |url=https://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/videsh-heaven-on-earth-389 |publisher=NDTV |access-date=1 August 2020 |language=en |date=7 March 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803013051/https://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/videsh-heaven-on-earth-389 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=dead}}
* {{cite web |last1=Verma |first1=Sukanya |title=Watch ''Videsh'' for Preity Zinta |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/mar/27review-watch-videsh-for-preity-zinta.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=1 August 2020 |date=27 March 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909094216/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/mar/27review-watch-videsh-for-preity-zinta.htm |archive-date=9 September 2012 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite news |last1=Jha |first1=Subhash K. |title=Preity surprises in ''Heaven on Earth'' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Preity-surprises-in-Heaven-on-Earth/articleshow/4327782.cms |access-date=1 August 2020 |work=The Times of India |date=28 March 2009 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212230253/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Preity-surprises-in-Heaven-on-Earth/articleshow/4327782.cms |archive-date=12 February 2021 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite news |last1=Baliga |first1=Shashi |title=Review: ''Videsh'' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/review-videsh/story-GGhZTZrc72TrvNrXG2gBtK.html |access-date=1 August 2020 |work=Hindustan Times |date=27 March 2009 |language=en |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803014036/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/revoking-article-370-didn-t-usher-in-any-development-in-j-k-farooq-abdullah/story-23rObQ2tyn3epkj80VBFlI.html |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite news |last1=Adarsh |first1=Taran |title=Videsh |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/videsh/439786/0 |access-date=1 August 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=27 March 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803014109/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/videsh/439786/0 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Peter Debruge of ''Variety'' wrote of her "stunning psychological transformation" in the part and Will Sloan of ''[[Exclaim!]]'' labelled her "a revelation".<ref>Foreign reviews of ''Heaven on Earth'':
* {{cite news |last1=Monk |first1=Katherine |title=''Heaven on Earth'' an eloquent portrayal of a family in trouble |url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/arts/story.html?id=6aac15f4-de60-49d5-998a-2b03907ae4a2 |access-date=1 August 2020 |work=[[Vancouver Sun]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081027014738/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/arts/story.html?id=6aac15f4-de60-49d5-998a-2b03907ae4a2 |archive-date=27 October 2008}}
* {{cite web |last1=Wegg |first1=S. James |title=Like mother like son |url=http://www.jamesweggreview.org/Articles.aspx?ID=734 |publisher=JamesWeggReview.com |access-date=1 August 2020 |date=9 October 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803014402/http://www.jamesweggreview.org/Articles.aspx?ID=734 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite news |last1=Debruge |first1=Peter |title=Heaven on Earth |url=https://variety.com/2008/film/reviews/heaven-on-earth-2-1200470914/ |access-date=1 August 2020 |work=Variety |date=7 September 2008 |language=en |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130830194825/http://variety.com/2008/film/reviews/heaven-on-earth-2-1200470914/ |archive-date=30 August 2013 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite news |last1=Sloan |first1=Will |title=Heaven On Earth |url=http://exclaim.ca/musicreviews/latestsub.aspx?csid1=126&csid2=870&fid1=34367 |access-date=1 August 2020 |work=[[Exclaim!]] |year=2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413012758/http://exclaim.ca/musicreviews/latestsub.aspx?csid1=126&csid2=870&fid1=34367 |archive-date=13 April 2009}}
* {{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Wendy |title=Heaven On Earth |url=https://www.screendaily.com/heaven-on-earth/4040671.article |access-date=1 August 2020 |work=Screen |date=7 September 2008 |language=en |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130830194800/http://www.screendaily.com/heaven-on-earth/4040671.article |archive-date=30 August 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Her performance earned her the [[Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress]] at the 2008 [[Chicago International Film Festival]], for "her strong yet subtle performance as a woman struggling to keep her dreams despite brutal realities".<ref name="Chicago">{{cite web |title=Awards 2008 |publisher=[[Chicago International Film Festival]] |url=http://www.chicagofilmfestival.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CIFFSite.woa/wa/pages/Awards%202008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105225422/http://www.chicagofilmfestival.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CIFFSite.woa/wa/pages/Awards%202008 |archive-date=5 January 2009 |access-date=27 January 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |access-date=15 July 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803021052/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hunger-strikes-at-chicago-fest-121770 |first1=Duane |last1=Byrge |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hunger-strikes-at-chicago-fest-121770 |title=''Hunger'' strikes at Chicago fest |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=27 October 2008 |language=en |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |access-date=15 July 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803021158/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2008-10-27-0810260229-story.html |author-link1=Robert K. Elder |date=27 October 2008 |first1=Robert K. |last1=Elder |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2008-10-27-0810260229-story.html |title=Brazilian film ''The Dead Girl's Feast'' wins a top honor |url-status=live |work=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> She was also nominated for the [[Canadian Screen Award for Best Actress|Genie Award for Best Actress]].<ref>{{cite news |access-date=20 April 2011 |archive-date=17 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090317081634/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200903141821.htm |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200903141821.htm |title=Every scene in ''Videsh'' is some woman's story: Preity Zinta |date=14 March 2009 |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |access-date=15 July 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803021230/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/genie-award-voters-anoint-the-necessities/article20444424/ |first1=Guy |last1=Dixon |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/genie-award-voters-anoint-the-necessities/article20444424/ |title=Genie Award voters anoint ''The Necessities'' |url-status=live |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |date=11 February 2009}}</ref>

===Hiatus and occasional returns (2009–present)===
[[File:Preity Zinta at an event for ISHKQ IN PARIS.jpg|thumb|upright|Zinta at a promotional event for ''[[Ishkq in Paris]]'' in 2013]]

Following ''Heaven on Earth'', Zinta took a two-year sabbatical from films, later explaining that she had chosen to focus on her work with [[#Ownership of cricket teams|her cricket team]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Will soon return to films, says Preity |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/will-return-to-films-soon-says-preity/article1531036.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |date=12 March 2011 |access-date=10 August 2011 |agency=Press Trust of India |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141015134757/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/will-return-to-films-soon-says-preity/article1531036.ece |archive-date=15 October 2014}}</ref> In 2011, she launched her own production company, [[PZNZ Media]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/i-had-lost-inspiration-for-movies-preity-zinta/732160 |title=I Had Lost Inspiration For Movies: Preity Zinta |magazine=Outlook |date=23 August 2011 |access-date=3 August 2020 |location=Mumbai, India |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803024455/https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/i-had-lost-inspiration-for-movies-preity-zinta/732160 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Two years later and following numerous delays, she starred in her first film under the banner{{snd}}the [[Prem Raj]]-directed romantic comedy ''[[Ishkq in Paris]]'', which she also co-wrote.<ref>{{cite news |title=Preity Zinta debuts as a producer and writer |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/preity-zinta-debuts-as-a-producer-and-writer/1114738/ |access-date=14 November 2013 |work=The Indian Express |date=12 May 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808164217/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/preity-zinta-debuts-as-a-producer-and-writer/1114738/ |archive-date=8 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |access-date=14 November 2013 |archive-date=14 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314025415/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Preity-Zinta-postpones-Ishkq-In-Paris-release-indefinitely/Article1-951587.aspx |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Preity-Zinta-postpones-Ishkq-In-Paris-release-indefinitely/Article1-951587.aspx |title=Preity Zinta postpones ''Ishkq in Paris'' release indefinitely |date=29 October 2012 |author=Jha, Subhash K. |newspaper=Hindustan Times |url-status=dead}}</ref> An Indo-French collaboration, the film saw Zinta as a half-Indian half-French Parisian woman alongside [[Rhehan Malliek]] and [[Isabelle Adjani]]. Zinta's role required her to learn French and follow a strict diet and fitness regime, for which she hired the services of celebrity trainer [[Tracy Anderson]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Preity Zinta learns French for next |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Preity-Zinta-learns-French-for-next/articleshow/9121892.cms |author=Jha, Subhash K. |date=6 July 2011 |access-date=10 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919213923/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-06/news-interviews/29742619_1_preity-zinta-indo-french-production-paris |archive-date=19 September 2012 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_preity-zinta-s-wants-maiden-home-production-to-be-of-top-notch-quality_1565253 |title=Preity Zinta's wants maiden home production to be of top notch quality |author=Mahadevan, Sneha |date=13 July 2011 |access-date=10 August 2011 |newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309152814/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_preity-zinta-s-wants-maiden-home-production-to-be-of-top-notch-quality_1565253 |archive-date=9 March 2012}}</ref> Whilst the film bombed at the box office and received mostly negative reviews, Zinta's performance attracted a mixed critical reception.<ref name="BOI Filmography" /><ref>{{cite news |access-date=14 November 2013 |archive-date=13 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113061303/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/preity-zintas-comeback-film-ishkq-in-paris-is-a-wipe-out-at-box-office/1122879/ |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/preity-zintas-comeback-film-ishkq-in-paris-is-a-wipe-out-at-box-office/1122879/ |title=Preity Zinta's comeback film ''Ishkq in Paris'' is a wipe out at box office |url-status=live |work=The Indian Express |date=31 May 2013 |last=Kulkarni |first=Onkar}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Dutta |first=Saptarishi |title=Reviews: Preity Zinta Comeback Disappoints |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2013/05/24/reviews-preity-zinta-comeback-disappoints/ |access-date=14 November 2013 |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=24 May 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310170610/https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2013/05/24/reviews-preity-zinta-comeback-disappoints/ |archive-date=10 March 2014}}</ref> Sonia Chopra of [[Sify]] called her "hugely likeable", and added that she is a "good actress, astute producer and{{nbs}}... writer".<ref>{{cite web |access-date=14 November 2013 |archive-date=19 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119203549/http://www.sify.com/movies/ishkq-in-paris-review-an-irresistible-evening-in-paris-review-bollywood-15029807.html |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/ishkq-in-paris-review-an-irresistible-evening-in-paris-review-bollywood-15029807.html |title=''Ishkq in Paris'' review: An irresistible evening in Paris! |last=Chopra |first=Sonia |url-status=dead |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> Shilpa Jamkhandikar from ''[[Deccan Herald]]'', critical of both the film and Zinta's work, concluded a scathing review by calling it "a mediocre film, one that was supposed to showcase one of our favourite leading ladies, but instead just shows us what a shadow of her past she's become".<ref>{{cite news |access-date=7 April 2015 |archive-date=6 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406192843/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/334566/ishkq-paris-movie-review-love.html |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/334566/ishkq-paris-movie-review-love.html |title=''Ishkq in Paris'' Movie Review: Love gone wrong |date=24 May 2013 |author=Jamkhandikar, Shilpa |newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]] |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following a five-year sabbatical, Zinta starred opposite Sunny Deol as an aggressive Varanasi-based wife in Neeraj Pathak's action comedy ''[[Bhaiaji Superhit]]'' (2018).<ref>{{cite news |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=3 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803045741/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Preity-Zinta-starts-shooting-for-Bhaiyyaji-Superhitt/articleshow/53432147.cms |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Preity-Zinta-starts-shooting-for-Bhaiyyaji-Superhitt/articleshow/53432147.cms |title=Preity Zinta starts shooting for ''Bhaiyyaji Superhitt'' |date=28 January 2017 |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |newspaper=The Times of India |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=5 October 2020 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108211144/https://scroll.in/reel/901946/preity-zinta-is-back-with-bhaiaji-superhit-this-film-has-reignited-my-passion-for-acting |url=https://scroll.in/reel/901946/preity-zinta-is-back-with-bhaiaji-superhit-this-film-has-reignited-my-passion-for-acting |title=Preity Zinta is back with ''Bhaiaji Superhit'': 'This film has reignited my passion for acting' |publisher=[[Scroll.in]] |date=19 November 2018 |last=Raman |first=Sruthi Ganapathy |url-status=live}}</ref> Ajit Duara of ''[[Open (Indian magazine)|Open]]'' magazine called the film a "rude, sexist, and completely mixed-up farce" and bemoaned that the "once vivacious [Zinta] appears completely disinterested in her surroundings and in her co-actors".<ref>{{cite news |access-date=1 December 2018 |archive-date=1 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201182337/http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/cinema/bhaiaji-superhit-movie-review |url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/cinema/bhaiaji-superhit-movie-review |title=''Bhaiaji Superhit'' Movie Review |work=[[Open (Indian magazine)|Open]] |date=24 November 2018 |author=Duara, Ajit |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, Zinta appeared alongside [[Vir Das]] in an episode of the American [[sitcom]] ''[[Fresh Off the Boat]]'', titled "The Magic Motor Inn"; she was set to reprise her role in a spin-off series, centered around her character's family,<ref>{{cite news |access-date=5 October 2020 |archive-date=10 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010180141/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/fresh-off-the-boat-spinoff-abc-vir-das-preity-g-zinta-1203385502/ |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/fresh-off-the-boat-spinoff-abc-vir-das-preity-g-zinta-1203385502/ |title=''Fresh Off the Boat'' Spinoff Moves Forward at ABC |work=Variety |date=28 October 2019 |last=Otterson |first=Joe |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |access-date=5 October 2020 |archive-date=28 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028085844/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/preity-zinta-vir-das-to-star-in-spin-off-show-of-hit-us-series-fresh-off-the-boat/story-Dua3BojdtqgNQpDLpbJj8I.html |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/preity-zinta-vir-das-to-star-in-spin-off-show-of-hit-us-series-fresh-off-the-boat/story-Dua3BojdtqgNQpDLpbJj8I.html |title=Preity Zinta, Vir Das to star in spin-off show of hit US series ''Fresh Off The Boat'' |work=Hindustan Times |date=29 October 2019 |agency=Press Trust of India |url-status=live}}</ref> but it eventually did not materialise.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=17 June 2020 |archive-date=17 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617230045/https://deadline.com/2020/06/fresh-off-the-boat-modern-family-spinoff-mad-about-you-abc-boss-acquisitions-1202961854/ |url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/fresh-off-the-boat-modern-family-spinoff-mad-about-you-abc-boss-acquisitions-1202961854/ |title=ABC Boss On Potential ''Fresh Off the Boat'', ''Modern Family'' Spinoffs, ''Mad About You'' & Acquisitions |date=17 June 2020 |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |url-status=live |website=Deadline}}</ref>

After another seven year hiatus, Zinta will return to films with ''[[Lahore 1947]]'', a period drama directed by [[Rajkumar Santoshi]], produced by Aamir Khan and co-starring Sunny Deol.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-02-26 |title=Meet the cast of Lahore 1947, Rajkumar Santoshi's next produced by Aamir Khan |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/meet-the-cast-of-lahore-1947-rajkumar-santoshis-next-produced-by-aamir-khan-101708937809828.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807065742/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/meet-the-cast-of-lahore-1947-rajkumar-santoshis-next-produced-by-aamir-khan-101708937809828.html |archive-date=7 August 2024 |access-date=2024-12-24 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/preity-zinta-begins-filming-sunny-deols-lahore-1947-shares-pic-with-rajkumar-santoshi-from-sets-8863839.html |title=Preity Zinta begins filming Sunny Deol's 'Lahore 1947', shares pic with Rajkumar Santoshi from sets |website=News18 |date=24 April 2024 |access-date=24 April 2024}}</ref>

==Other work==
===Column writing===
In 2004, Zinta joined a group of South Asian commentators for [[BBC News Online]]. She expressed joy at participating in the project, saying, "I am pretty outspoken and have my own view on every subject. So it will be a good platform for me to air my views."<ref>{{cite news |author=Pillai, Sreedhar |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/02/16/stories/2004021600560200.htm |title=Preity turns columnist |access-date=7 November 2007 |date=16 February 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220095612/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/02/16/stories/2004021600560200.htm |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=20 December 2007}}</ref> Her first column, "The changing face of Bollywood", published in January 2004,<ref>{{cite news |author=Zinta, Preity |title=The changing face of Bollywood |date=29 January 2004 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3445467.stm |publisher=BBC |access-date=12 September 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921105511/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3445467.stm |archive-date=21 September 2007}}</ref> discussed the evolution of Bollywood in the past decade. The column became one of the site's ten most read stories of the day. In her second column, "Odds stacked against Indian women", Zinta analysed the [[eve teasing]] phenomenon in India, and criticised those who practice it.<ref>{{cite news |author=Zinta, Preity |title=Odds stacked against Indian women |date=1 April 2004 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3572553.stm |publisher=BBC |access-date=2 March 2005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050913011148/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3572553.stm |archive-date=13 September 2005}}</ref> She wrote, "Incidents like these take away a woman's dignity, her space and her freedom{{nbs}}... why the state is so helpless in protecting the women. Why should women feel unsafe in a country which had an internationally revered woman prime minister?" The column caught the attention of readers worldwide, and she received thousands of e-mails about it.<ref name="everes">{{cite web |title=Preity Zinta attacks eve teasers in the BBC column |work=Indian Television Dot Com |date=20 April 2004 |url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/tube/y2k4/apr/aprtube27.htm |publisher=IndianTelevision.com |access-date=12 September 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316072124/http://www.indiantelevision.com/tube/y2k4/apr/aprtube27.htm |archive-date=16 March 2008}}</ref> It was applauded particularly by women for its stand against [[violence against women|abuse of Indian women]].<ref name="everes"/> Her third column, "The darkness that all actors fear", was a more personal column and dealt with her stardom, fans, insecurity and fears as an actor.<ref>{{cite news |author=Zinta, Preity |title=The darkness that all actors fear |date=22 June 2004 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3804471.stm |publisher=BBC |access-date=12 September 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070117070851/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3804471.stm |archive-date=17 January 2007}}</ref> Her fourth and final column, titled "Facing death in Sri Lanka and Thailand", described her two [[#Personal life|near-death experiences]] in late 2004.<ref name="facing death">{{cite news |author=Zinta, Preity |title=Facing death in Sri Lanka and Thailand |date=28 February 2005 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4268387.stm |access-date=16 April 2006 |publisher=BBC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060428070559/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4268387.stm |archive-date=28 April 2006}}</ref>

===Stage performances and television presenting===
[[File:Zinta Temptation04.jpg|thumb|Zinta performing at "Temptation 2004"]]

Zinta has taken part in several stage shows and world tours since 2001. Her first world tour, a series of concerts called "Craze 2001", was performed across the US alongside Anil Kapoor, Aamir Khan, [[Aishwarya Rai]] and [[Gracy Singh]]. The show faced early cancellation due to the [[11 September 2001 attacks]], and the team prepared to return to India as soon as possible. However, the shows continued successfully in Canada.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Tour stop |date=November 2001 |url=http://downloads.movies.indiatimes.com/site/nov2001/whisper.html |magazine=Filmfare |access-date=24 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015103635/http://downloads.movies.indiatimes.com/site/nov2001/whisper.html |archive-date=15 October 2007}}</ref> In 2002, she participated in the show "From India With Love" in the UK, along with Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai. It took place at two outdoor venues, [[Manchester]]'s [[Old Trafford]] and London's [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]], with more than 100,000 spectators.<ref>{{cite news |title=From India with Love |date=30 April 2002 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/breakfast/1959022.stm |publisher=BBC |access-date=16 November 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801183641/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/breakfast/1959022.stm |archive-date=1 August 2012}}</ref>

Zinta's largest world tour was in 2004, when she joined a group of stars (Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Saif Ali Khan, Arjun Rampal and Priyanka Chopra) in the "Temptation 2004" tour. Showcased in more than 22 countries across the world, it became Bollywood's most prominent international concert.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shahrukh may attend cinema festival |date=20 December 2004 |url=http://www.bahraintribune.com/ArticleDetail.asp?CategoryId=7&ArticleId=55031 |newspaper=[[Daily Tribune (Bahrain)|Bahrain Tribune]] |access-date=13 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118180710/http://www.bahraintribune.com/ArticleDetail.asp?CategoryId=7&ArticleId=55031 |archive-date=18 January 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bollywood's Day Out ... |date=2 December 2004 |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-12-02/news-interviews/27157774_1_bernard-weber-new-list-aishwarya-rai |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630201708/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-943930%2Cprtpage-1.cms |archive-date=30 June 2006 |access-date=2 November 2007 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2006, Zinta was part of the "Heat 2006" world tour, along with Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, [[Sushmita Sen]] and [[Celina Jaitley]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Akshay Kumar & Preity Zinta in Bollywood New York Shows for Aron Govil Productions |date=10 March 2006 |url=http://www.businesswireindia.com/PressRelease.asp?b2mid=9273 |publisher=Business Wire India |access-date=16 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060323185651/http://www.businesswireindia.com/PressRelease.asp?b2mid=9273 |archive-date=23 March 2006}}</ref> "The Unforgettable Tour" (2008) saw Zinta performing with the [[Bachchan family]] and [[Ritesh Deshmukh]] in a forty-day show staged in eleven cities across North America, Europe and the Caribbean.<ref>{{cite news |author=Jamkhandikar, Shilpa |newspaper=Hindustan Times |agency=[[Reuters]] |date=23 July 2008 |title=This year would be unforgettable for me |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/staroftheweek/This-year-would-be-unforgettable-for-me/Article1-325922.aspx |access-date=25 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208083810/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/staroftheweek/This-year-would-be-unforgettable-for-me/Article1-325922.aspx |archive-date=8 February 2011}}</ref> In December 2012 Zinta returned to the stage with the "Temptation Reloaded" concert in [[Jakarta]] (joined by Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji and [[Bipasha Basu]]).<ref>{{cite news |title=Shah Rukh mesmerises Jakarta fans with a power-packed performance |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/shah-rukh-khan-jakarta-indonesia-performance-temptation-reloaded-124230-2012-12-13 |access-date=10 May 2020 |work=India Today |agency=Press Trust of India |date=13 December 2012 |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803021607/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/shah-rukh-khan-jakarta-indonesia-performance-temptation-reloaded-124230-2012-12-13 |archive-date=3 August 2020}}</ref>

In 2011, Zinta made her television debut as the host of the show ''[[Guinness World Records – Ab India Todega]]'' on [[Colors TV|Colors Channel]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Aikara, Anita |title=Girl, interrupted |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/girl-interrupted/763879/0 |date=18 March 2011 |access-date=3 September 2011 |newspaper=The Indian Express |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126081554/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/girl-interrupted/763879/0 |archive-date=26 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> An Indian version of [[Guinness Book of World Records]], the show premiered on 18 March to an audience measurement of 3.3 rating points, which made it occupy the seventh position on the chart of celebrity-driven reality shows on Hindi entertainment channels.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Hindustan Times |url=http://www.bollywood.com/preity-scores-against-world-cup-matches |title=Preity scores against World Cup matches |date=26 March 2011 |access-date=3 September 2011 |author=Dubey, Rechana |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526052254/http://www.bollywood.com/preity-scores-against-world-cup-matches |archive-date=26 May 2011}}</ref> In a four-star review for ''Hindustan Times'', critic Rachana Dubey wrote, "Preity is a riot. She's vivacious and knows exactly when she needs to be serious and when she can crack jokes."<ref>{{cite news |author=Dubey, Rachana |title=Records better than videos! |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Records-better-than-videos/Article1-677471.aspx |date=25 March 2011 |access-date=3 September 2011 |newspaper=Hindustan Times |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830053615/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Records-better-than-videos/Article1-677471.aspx |archive-date=30 August 2011}}</ref> Later that year Zinta started hosting the celebrity-based chat show ''[[Up Close & Personal with PZ]]'', shot at her own penthouse in Mumbai and broadcast on the newly launched channel UTV Stars. The first episode aired on 3 September.<ref>{{cite news |author=Udasi, Harshikaa |newspaper=The Hindu |title=Up close with PZ |url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article2379276.ece |date=21 August 2011 |access-date=3 September 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909153009/http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article2379276.ece |archive-date=9 September 2011}}</ref> In 2015, Zinta featured as a talent judge for the [[Nach Baliye 7|seventh season]] of the dance reality show ''[[Nach Baliye]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Unfair to call me lenient on 'Nach Baliye': Preity Zinta |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/unfair-to-call-me-lenient-on-nach-baliye-preity-zinta/#sthash.NLgt2WNO.dpuf |work=The Indian Express |access-date=28 May 2015 |date=10 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528142449/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/unfair-to-call-me-lenient-on-nach-baliye-preity-zinta/ |archive-date=28 May 2015}}</ref>

===Humanitarian work===
During her years in the film industry, Zinta has been involved with different charitable organisations and has particularly supported women's causes in India, for instance protesting against [[female infanticide]].<ref name="charities">{{cite news |author=Tiwari, Nimish |title=Preity Zinta wants a new face |date=18 October 2007 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Preity-Zinta-wants-a-new-face/articleshow/2467934.cms |access-date=22 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603130449/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-10-18/news-interviews/27970598_1_bravery-award-bharat-shah-case-new-face |archive-date=3 June 2012 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="poised">{{cite news |author=Ashraf, Amrah |title=Pretty poised! |date=11 December 2009 |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/12/11/stories/2009121150410100.htm |access-date=12 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109020007/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/12/11/stories/2009121150410100.htm |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=9 November 2012}}</ref> She has also participated in AIDS awareness drives and campaigns to clean up [[Mumbai]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Much more than a Preity face |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20101114/spectrum/main9.htm |access-date=10 February 2014 |newspaper=The Tribune |date=14 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221233256/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20101114/spectrum/main9.htm |archive-date=21 February 2014}}</ref>
[[File:Preity Zinta at ACT (Against Child Trafficking) (4).jpg|thumb|left|Zinta at an event against child trafficking in 2012]]

Along with other Bollywood stars, Zinta performed at the "HELP! Telethon Concert" in 2005 to raise money for victims of the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Bollywood unites to present caring face |date=8 February 2005 |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050208/asp/nation/story_4351693.asp |newspaper=The Telegraph |access-date=21 February 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118103831/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050208/asp/nation/story_4351693.asp |archive-date=18 January 2012}}</ref> The following year, as an ambassador of the [[Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Awards|Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Movement]], Zinta attended a [[blood donation]] camp organised by the [[Rotary Club]] of [[Delhi]] and the Godfrey Phillips Awards. She lent her support to the cause of [[women's empowerment]] and promoted blood donation. She said, "Donating blood doesn't kill one but goes on to save somebody's life{{nbs}}... Once blood is donated it becomes universal and might be used by anyone in need, irrespective of community, caste or region. It binds people together."<ref name="Donating blood">{{cite news |author=Tankha, Madhur |title=In the service of a cause |date=29 July 2006 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/in-the-service-of-a-cause/article3112084.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=3 November 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105005857/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/in-the-service-of-a-cause/article3112084.ece |archive-date=5 November 2013}}</ref>

In 2007, as part of the [[NDTV]] show ''Jai Jawan'', Zinta visited [[Hisar, India|Hisar]], Haryana, where she spent a day at the army training base to boost the morale of the [[Jawans|jawan]] troops and met children with disabilities at a [[special school]] maintained by the army.<ref>{{cite web |title=Preity reunited with Army brother |date=26 January 2007 |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/jan/24sd1.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=29 September 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117013704/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/jan/24sd1.htm |archive-date=17 January 2008}}</ref> In August, along with Mumbai-based artist Gurcharan Singh, Zinta painted for the cause of [[street children]] for the non-governmental organisation Khushi.<ref>{{cite news |author=A. Khan, Rubina |title=Preity artistic! |date=24 August 2007 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Preity_artistic/rssarticleshow/2304140.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017003314/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Preity_artistic/rssarticleshow/2304140.cms |archive-date=17 October 2007}}</ref> In December she joined the efforts of the [[United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime]] (UNODC) to curb [[human trafficking in India]]. She spoke on behalf of awareness against the practice, the need for protection and rehabilitation for those rescued from it, and punishment for perpetrators.<ref>{{cite news |agency=[[Indo-Asian News Service]] |title=Top stars join war vs human trafficking |date=19 December 2007 |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/cinema/Top-stars-join-war-vs-human-trafficking/Article1-264086.aspx |newspaper=Hindustan Times |access-date=7 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717083534/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/cinema/Top-stars-join-war-vs-human-trafficking/Article1-264086.aspx |archive-date=17 July 2012}}</ref> In 2009, on her 34th birthday, Zinta adopted 34 girls from the Mother Miracle orphanage in [[Rishikesh]] and took the responsibility of financially supporting their education, food and clothing.<ref>{{cite news |author=Banerjee, Soumyadipta |title=Preity Zinta, the parent |date=17 September 2010 |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_preity-zinta-the-parent_1439132 |access-date=1 December 2012 |newspaper=Daily News and Analysis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318024124/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_preity-zinta-the-parent_1439132 |archive-date=18 March 2013}}</ref> She expressed her excitement at doing so and recounted her full commitment to their upbringing.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=23 March 2009 |access-date=1 December 2012 |title=Preity Zinta to look after 34 orphans |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/story/preity-zinta-to-look-after-34-orphans-42445-2009-03-22 |magazine=India Today |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104090819/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Preity%2BZinta%2Bto%2Blook%2Bafter%2B34%2Borphans/1/33516.html |archive-date=4 November 2013}}</ref>

In January 2010 Zinta was appointed the brand ambassador of The Loomba Trust, an organisation that works for the welfare of widows and their children. She said, having lost her father at thirteen, she could relate to the problems faced by widowed women.<ref>{{cite news |author=Kak Ramachandran, Smriti |title=Easing the plight of widows |date=14 January 2010 |access-date=17 December 2011 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/14/stories/2010011450840200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109020158/http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/14/stories/2010011450840200.htm |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=9 November 2012}}</ref> Later in the year, she joined the [[Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS]] (UNAIDS) as their [[Goodwill Ambassador]] in India, to promote public awareness on HIV prevention, treatment and support, with emphasis on women and children, and combat discrimination against it. Speaking of her appointment, Zinta expressed hope to be "the voice for the voiceless" and bring about a "transformation in the minds of people" through collaborative work.<ref>{{cite news |author=Tankha, Madhur |url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/12/stories/2010031264281400.htm |title=Preity is UNAIDS ambassador |date=12 March 2010 |access-date=7 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826003532/http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/12/stories/2010031264281400.htm |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=26 August 2011}}</ref> In October 2010 Zinta was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from the [[University of East London]]. It was awarded in honour of both her cultural contribution and her humanitarian work, with the citation describing her as "an international actress, pioneering star of Hindi cinema and devoted humanitarian. Preity has carved a path for women to follow."<ref>{{cite web |title=Bollywood superstar Preity Zinta to receive honorary doctorate from UEL |date=27 October 2010 |url=http://www.uel.ac.uk/news/press-releases/2010/10/preityzinta.htm |publisher=[[University of East London]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311222151/http://uel.ac.uk/news/press-releases/2010/10/preityzinta.htm |archive-date=11 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=29 October 2010 |access-date=3 November 2013 |title=Preity Zinta conferred honorary doctorate by UK varsity |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/preity-zinta-conferred-honorary-doctorate-by-uk-varsity/704567/0 |newspaper=The Indian Express |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131104104153/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/preity-zinta-conferred-honorary-doctorate-by-uk-varsity/704567/0 |archive-date=4 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Ownership of cricket teams===
Along with [[Ness Wadia]], [[Mohit Burman]] and others, Zinta acquired ownership rights in 2008 for the Mohali-based [[Twenty20]] cricket team of the [[Indian Premier League]] (IPL).<ref>{{cite news |agency=Press Trust of India |title=SRK, Preity Zinta, Ambani, Mallya win IPL bids |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/chunk-ht-ui-cricket-topstories/srk-ambani-mallya-win-ipl-bids/article1-271517.aspx |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=24 January 2008 |access-date=3 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217111610/http://www.hindustantimes.com/chunk-ht-ui-cricket-topstories/srk-ambani-mallya-win-ipl-bids/article1-271517.aspx |archive-date=17 February 2015}}</ref> The group paid $76{{nbs}}million for the franchise and named the team [[Kings&nbsp;XI Punjab]] (it was renamed Punjab Kings in 2021).<ref>{{cite news |author=Loudon, Bruce |title=Instant cricket: just add Preity |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/instant-cricket-just-add-preity/story-e6frg7rx-1111116101225 |newspaper=[[The Australian]] |date=19 April 2008 |access-date=19 April 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811185834/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/instant-cricket-just-add-preity/story-e6frg7rx-1111116101225 |archive-date=11 August 2011}}</ref> Until 2009, Zinta was the only woman to own an IPL team, and was the league's youngest owner.<ref name="toispree">{{cite news |url=http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2997631.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501125300/http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2997631.cms |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 May 2008 |title=Preity's winning spree! |last=Vyavahare |first=Renuka |date=30 April 2008 |access-date=1 May 2008 |work=India Times Movies |publisher=Times Internet Limited}}</ref> She has been involved with launching ticket sales and promoting the team.<ref name="toispree"/><ref name="ticket">{{cite news |url=http://www.sify.com/sports/preity-zinta-brett-lee-launch-sale-of-tickets-in-mohali-news-cricket-jegqryeeihg.html |title=Preity Zinta, Brett Lee launch sale of tickets in Mohali |date=12 April 2008 |access-date=1 May 2008 |website=[[Sify]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020174435/http://www.sify.com/sports/preity-zinta-brett-lee-launch-sale-of-tickets-in-mohali-news-cricket-jegqryeeihg.html |archive-date=20 October 2012}}</ref> She said, "My involvement with the team is total. I am extremely passionate about our team and I do believe that I am the team's good luck factor, so I want to be there for everything."<ref name="toispree"/> In September 2017, she became the owner of the [[Stellenbosch Kings]] franchise team of South Africa's [[Mzansi Super League]]. Further business expansion took place in 2021 as Zinta and her Punjab Kings partners bought Saint Lucia's representative team in the [[Caribbean Premier League]] (CPL), which was rebranded as [[Saint Lucia Kings]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/t20-global-league-kings-xi-punjab-s-preity-zinta-to-own-stellenbosch-team/story-P5yRdH4ikelEFKwIWuzhkL.html |title=T20 Global League: Kings XI Punjab's Preity Zinta to own Stellenbosch team |access-date=16 September 2017 |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=8 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916182939/http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/t20-global-league-kings-xi-punjab-s-preity-zinta-to-own-stellenbosch-team/story-P5yRdH4ikelEFKwIWuzhkL.html |archive-date=16 September 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Times of India |title=T20 leagues are the future, says multi-team owner Preity Zinta |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/t20-leagues-are-the-future-says-multi-team-owner-preity-zinta/articleshow/60526178.cms |date=15 September 2017 |access-date=16 September 2017 |agency=Reuters |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107201949/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/t20-leagues-are-the-future-says-multi-team-owner-preity-zinta/articleshow/60526178.cms |archive-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Zinta used to visit her native town Shimla when she was not busy shooting. In 2006, she moved into her own home in Mumbai.<ref>{{cite news |author=Jha, Subhash K. |title=Preity's home sick |date=26 May 2007 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/hyderabad-times/preitys-home-sick/articleshow/2074719.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=7 November 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110225943/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/hyderabad-times/Preitys-home-sick/articleshow/2074719.cms |archive-date=10 November 2012}}</ref> She does not identify with any particular religion. In an interview with ''The Times of India'', she commented, "I believe in good deeds, in [[karma]], I don't believe in going to temples. For me, religion is very personal. It's all about having faith{{nbs}}... We have heard and read that all religions are equal. Now I am increasingly believing in this."<ref>{{cite news |author=Afsana, Ahmad |title=Ganpati Bappa Morya:Preity |date=25 September 2007 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Ganpati-Bappa-MoryaPreity/articleshow/2397863.cms |access-date=23 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603130454/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-09-25/news-interviews/27957122_1_preity-zinta-religions-lalbaugcha-raja |archive-date=3 June 2012 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live}}</ref> She narrowly [[Near-death experience|escaped death]] twice in late 2004: first after an explosion at a Temptation concert in [[Colombo]], Sri Lanka; and second during the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|Indian Ocean earthquake]].<ref name="facing death"/>
[[File:Priety Zinta with Gene Goodenough.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Zinta with her husband Gene Goodenough in 2016]]

Zinta has been the subject of several controversies.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/i-ll-always-be-there-for-shekhar-kapur-preity/story-OKtFsO0kCXYXvIChKoOxxH.html |title=I'll always be there for Shekhar Kapur: Preity |author=Bhattacharjee, Devapriyo |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=1 July 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803022156/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-china-plan-protocol-to-avoid-skirmishes/story-vIhdZCJb2jGmd7RlSE2OFM.html |archive-date=3 August 2020 |access-date=3 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/bollywood-s-sleaze-out-in-open/story-nh2Jvb7iwfJjHMyyLOCg3J.html |title=Bollywood's sleaze out in open |author=Chakravorty, Vinayak |agency=Press Trust of India |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=19 March 2005 |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803022335/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/baghjan-gas-well-fire-not-spreading-says-district-administration/story-QqDT967sESh5bJ7YzAOM2M.html |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2003, as a witness in the [[Bharat Shah]] case, she testified against the [[Indian mafia]]. Bharat Shah, the financer of ''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'', was arrested in 2000 for having connections with [[Chhota Shakeel]], a Mumbai underworld boss.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Philp |first1=Catherine |title=Bollywood starlet plays brave role in fight against the Mob |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/bollywood-starlet-plays-brave-role-in-fight-against-the-mob-3zdzmrbzfr3 |access-date=11 October 2020 |work=[[The Times]] |date=11 January 2003 |language=en |archive-date=17 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017150137/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bollywood-starlet-plays-brave-role-in-fight-against-the-mob-3zdzmrbzfr3 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=18272 |title=Preity Zinta supports prosecution in Bharat Shah case, says she received extortion threat |work=The Indian Express |date=9 January 2003 |access-date=14 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714235725/http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=18272 |archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> Unlike several of her colleagues, Zinta repeated in court her earlier statement that she had received [[extortion]] threats from the mafia during the shooting of the film.<ref>{{cite web |author=Firdaus Ashraf, Syed |title=Bharat Shah case: Preity Zinta sticks to her stand |date=9 January 2003 |url=http://in.rediff.com/news/2003/jan/09shah.htm |work=[[Rediff.com]] |access-date=29 November 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115001335/http://in.rediff.com/news/2003/jan/09shah.htm |archive-date=15 November 2006}}</ref> After her testimony, she was given [[witness protection]] and was forced to stay out of the public eye for two months.<ref name="bubbly image"/> Thirteen other witnesses before her, including celebrities Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan, were witnesses in the case but later retracted their earlier statements.<ref name="hostile">{{cite web |title=Except Preity, everyone turned hostile |date=30 September 2003 |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/sep/30shah.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=29 November 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060514021118/http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/sep/30shah.htm |archive-date=14 May 2006}}</ref> Zinta was the only witness who did not become [[hostile witness|hostile]] to the prosecution.<ref name="hostile"/> Her actions met with nationwide public resonance and applause.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lancaster |first1=John |title=Bollywood Star's Act Makes Her a Hero, and Possible Target |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2003/01/23/bollywood-stars-act-makes-her-a-hero-and-possible-target/770a3db5-a3b4-44e6-9197-07c48f36b35b/ |access-date=11 October 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=23 January 2003 |archive-date=17 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217040530/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2003/01/23/bollywood-stars-act-makes-her-a-hero-and-possible-target/770a3db5-a3b4-44e6-9197-07c48f36b35b/ |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Maitra|2015|p=76}} Consequently, she was the first recipient of [[Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Awards#Mind of steel Award|Godfrey's Mind of Steel Award]] at the annual [[Red and White Bravery Awards]], given to her for the "courageous act" of standing against the Mumbai Underworld.<ref name="nation applauded">{{cite news |title=This Preity woman is brave too |date=13 March 2003 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/This-Preity-woman-is-brave-too/articleshow/40195013.cms |access-date=12 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603130458/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2003-03-13/news-interviews/27262456_1_physical-bravery-preity-zinta-silver-medal |archive-date=3 June 2012 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live}}</ref> On receiving the award, she said, "To be brave is not to be fearless. It is when you fear and you get over it, then you can be called brave. I am human. It is not that I fear nothing. But getting over a fear is a continuous process and I have been successful so far."<ref>{{cite news |author=Sharma, Mandvi |title='Rome wasn't built in a day, neither was I' |date=29 July 2006 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/rome-wasnt-built-in-a-day-neither-was-i/articleshow/1823394.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=30 August 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110165900/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/Rome-wasnt-built-in-a-day-neither-was-I/articleshow/1823394.cms |archive-date=10 November 2012}}</ref> Since 2006, Zinta has been the [[brand ambassador]] for the Godfrey Phillips Bravery awards.<ref name="Donating blood"/>

[[Tabloid (newspaper format)|Tabloids]] have often linked Zinta romantically with other Bollywood stars, but she has strongly denied any such rumours.<ref>{{cite news |author=Gangadhar, V |title=Preity Magic |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040724/saturday/main1.htm |newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |date=24 July 2004 |access-date=16 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121110907/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040724/saturday/main1.htm |archive-date=21 November 2013}}</ref> In 2000, Zinta began dating model [[Marc Robinson]]. They separated the following year, and according to Zinta remained on good terms.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Pillai, Jitesh |title=Freedom at midnight ... Preity Zinta |date=April 2001 |url=http://downloads.movies.indiatimes.com/site/april2001/sp3.html |magazine=Filmfare |access-date=4 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012004628/http://downloads.movies.indiatimes.com/site/april2001/sp3.html |archive-date=12 October 2007}}</ref> Zinta dated the [[Bombay Dyeing]] heir, businessman [[Ness Wadia]] from February 2005 until May 2009.<ref>{{cite news |author=Shaikh, Jamal |title=Preity woman's man |date=3 February 2005 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/preity-womans-man/articleshow/1010644.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=16 May 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110170737/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/Preity-womans-man/articleshow/1010644.cms |archive-date=10 November 2012}}</ref> Their relationship was often reported on by the media, with frequent speculation about an engagement or a break-up.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Lalwani, Vickey |author2=Shah, Kunal |title=Ness & I are fine: Preity Zinta |date=25 January 2008 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Ness-I-are-finePreity-Zinta/articleshow/2726680.cms |access-date=14 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811082730/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-01-25/news-interviews/27751622_1_preity-zinta-ness-wadia-deepa-mehta |archive-date=11 August 2011 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Preity comes clean on Ness |date=22 April 2009 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/headlines-today-top-stories/story/preity-comes-clean-on-ness-45280-2009-04-21 |newspaper=[[India Today]] |access-date=10 July 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118021117/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Preity%20comes%20clean%20on%20Ness/1/38238.html |archive-date=18 January 2012}}</ref> On 13 June 2014, Zinta filed a complaint with the Mumbai police against Ness Wadia alleging he had molested, threatened, and abused her at an [[Indian Premier League - Season 7 (2014)|IPL]] match at the [[Wankhede Stadium]] in Mumbai on 30 May.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bollywood-actress-preity-zinta-files-711891 |title=Bollywood Actress Preity Zinta Files Molestation Case Against Business Tycoon (Report) |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=14 June 2014 |access-date=14 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207154749/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bollywood-actress-preity-zinta-files-711891 |archive-date=7 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Preity-Zinta-files-molestation-complaint-against-Ness-Wadia/articleshow/36506084.cms |title=Preity Zinta files molestation complaint against Ness Wadia |newspaper=The Times of India |date=14 June 2014 |access-date=14 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140614102339/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Preity-Zinta-files-molestation-complaint-against-Ness-Wadia/articleshow/36506084.cms |archive-date=14 June 2014}}</ref> Wadia denied the allegations.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/key-points-of-preity-zintas-molestation-complaint-against-ex-beau-ness-wadia/ |title=Key points of Preity Zinta's molestation complaint against ex-beau Ness Wadia |work=The Indian Express |date=14 June 2014 |access-date=14 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615160620/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/key-points-of-preity-zintas-molestation-complaint-against-ex-beau-ness-wadia/ |archive-date=15 June 2014}}</ref> In 2018, the [[Bombay High Court]] quashed this complaint after the issue was amicably settled.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/bombay-hc-quashes-preity-zintas-molestation-fir-lodged-against-ness-wadia-5396539/ |title=Bombay HC quashes Preity Zinta's molestation FIR lodged against Ness Wadia |date=11 December 2018 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=9 January 2022}}</ref>

On 29 February 2016, Zinta married her American partner Gene Goodenough at a private ceremony in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/photo-gallery-10-celebrities-who-got-married-in-2016-2233103/bobby-darling-and-ramneek-sharma-2233107 |title=10 celebrities who got married in 2016 |date=10 July 2016 |work=Daily News and Analysis |access-date=5 October 2020 |archive-date=8 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008210851/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/photo-gallery-10-celebrities-who-got-married-in-2016-2233103/bobby-darling-and-ramneek-sharma-2233107 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/preity-zinta-announces-marriage-let-the-goodenough-jokes-begin-1284342 |title=Preity Zinta Announces Marriage: 'Let the Goodenough Jokes Begin' |date=6 March 2016 |last=Prashar |first=Chandni |publisher=NDTV |access-date=5 October 2020 |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809173723/https://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/preity-zinta-announces-marriage-let-the-goodenough-jokes-begin-1284342 |url-status=live}}</ref> Goodenough is Senior Vice-president for Finance at NLine Energy, a US-based hydroelectric power company.<ref>{{cite news |author=Kaur, Kiran |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/Preity-Zintas-mother-responsible-for-her-marriage-to-Gene-Goodenough/photostory/51250498.cms |title=Preity Zinta's mother responsible for her marriage to Gene Goodenough? |newspaper=The Times of India |date=3 March 2016 |access-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305000929/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/Preity-Zintas-mother-responsible-for-her-marriage-to-Gene-Goodenough/photostory/51250498.cms |archive-date=5 March 2016}}</ref> Zinta moved to Los Angeles following the marriage; she visits India on a frequent basis.<ref>{{cite news |title='Felt helpless and powerless': Preity Zinta on her family's Covid-19 battle |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/felt-helpless-and-powerless-preity-zinta-on-her-familys-covid-19-battle/articleshow/80210864.cms?from=mdr |access-date=10 February 2021 |work=The Economic Times |date=11 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=All About Preity Zinta's Los Angeles Home |url=https://www.filmfare.com/celeb-lifestyle-and-fashion/consumer-durable/all-about-preity-zintas-los-angeles-home-44381-1.html |access-date=10 February 2021 |work=Filmfare |date=20 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> In 2021, she and her husband became parents to twins, a boy and a girl, through surrogacy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Raghuvanshi |first1=Aakanksha |title=Preity Zinta And Gene Goodenough Welcome Twins Via Surrogacy |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/preity-zinta-and-gene-goodenough-welcome-twins-via-surrogacy-2615453 |access-date=18 November 2021 |publisher=NDTV |date=18 November 2021}}</ref>

==Image and artistry==
Zinta is known in the Indian media for her straightforward nature and for honestly expressing her opinions in public, be it about her on-screen or off-screen life or her raising a voice against social injustice.<ref name="brave2">{{cite news |author=Mukherjee, Madhureeta |date=17 October 2006 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bombay-times/preity-manages-traffic-on-the-road/articleshow/2191016.cms |title=Preity manages traffic on the road! |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=4 November 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110164014/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bombay-times/Preity-manages-traffic-on-the-road/articleshow/2191016.cms |archive-date=10 November 2012}}</ref><ref name="brave3">{{cite news |author=Sharma, Madhvi |date=7 March 2007 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1732791.cms |title=Women need no inspiration |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=22 November 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113162736/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1732791.cms |archive-date=13 January 2009}}</ref><ref name="poised"/> While she does not believe she is "as tough as people portray [her] to be", she asserts having no qualms about speaking her mind, even if faced with surmounting opposition, as long as she stands "by what's right".<ref>{{cite news |author=Shetty-Saha, Shubha |date=12 October 2008 |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-preity-zinta-talks-tough-1198726 |access-date=30 March 2015 |title=Preity Zinta talks tough! |newspaper=Daily News and Analysis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402125012/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-preity-zinta-talks-tough-1198726 |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> These features were noted during the Bharat Shah case, when she testified against the underworld; following this incident she was often called by journalists "the only man in Bollywood", a label she was unhappy with for its underlying misogynist connotations.<ref name="The only man in Bollywood">{{cite news |title=Now showing Chakde! – Fiesty{{Sic |nolink=y}} foot forward |date=14 August 2007 |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/local-news/fullstory.php?newsid=250929 |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=14 September 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220192640/http://cities.expressindia.com/local-news/fullstory.php?newsid=250929 |archive-date=20 February 2009}}</ref><ref name="charities"/> Film actor Amitabh Bachchan, describing her as "frank and painfully honest", lauded her "drive and guts in a world that can be most cruel to a single girl".<ref>{{cite news |publisher=[[NDTV]] |agency=Press Trust of India |title=Amitabh Bachchan praises Preity Zinta |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-praises-preity-zinta-605652 |date=20 June 2012 |access-date=30 March 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402100950/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/amitabh-bachchan-praises-preity-zinta-605652 |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> Author and columnist [[Shobhaa De]], while commending her for lodging a molestation complaint against Ness Wadia in 2014, expressed concern regarding Zinta's repeated quest for justice, believing it could eventually play against her: "India is not terribly kind to strong-willed, outspoken women who are dubbed 'trouble makers' if they dare to raise their voices, especially against men. Zinta is such a woman."<ref name="Shobhaa">{{cite web |publisher=[[NDTV]] |author=De, Shobhaa |author-link=Shobhaa De |title=Preity Zinta Will Find Herself Increasingly Isolated |url=http://www.ndtv.com/opinion/preity-zinta-will-find-herself-increasingly-isolated-578585 |date=16 June 2014 |access-date=30 March 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328132737/http://www.ndtv.com/opinion/preity-zinta-will-find-herself-increasingly-isolated-578585 |archive-date=28 March 2015}}</ref>
[[File:Preity Zinta at Ishkq In Paris-Isabelle Adjani event 05.jpg|thumb|Zinta in 2012]]

The media have cited her characteristic dimple as her trademark. At the beginning of her career, the press often described her as having a vivacious personality and a bubbly, outgoing persona, an image she had confessed to disliking.<ref name="bubbly image"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Bollywood's Preity Zinta wants new roles |date=14 March 2006 |work=[[Times Union (Albany)|Times Union]] |page=2 |location=Mumbai, India |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> According to film critic [[Sukanya Verma]], Zinta's energetic nature extends from her real life into her screen appearances and is an integral part of her technique. Discussing Hindi film actresses and their flair for comedy, Verma wrote of Zinta: "What can you say about an actress who giggles non-stop in a tone that is anything but prim and propah? She is carefree. She is animated. She talks non-stop. She laughs all the time. She has a chilled out sense of humour. And a tomboyish streak too. Preity Zinta is all that and more. All this greatly contributes to her style of acting."<ref>{{cite web |work=Rediff.com |author=Verma, Sukanya |title=What do Sridevi, Kajol and Preity have in common? |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/dec/02corner.htm |date=2 December 2004 |access-date=16 December 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517173328/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/dec/02corner.htm |archive-date=17 May 2013}}</ref>

Director [[Tanuja Chandra]] ascribed Zinta's screen appeal to her lack of acting pretense, commenting, "She doesn't act, she's so real that you just can't look away from her."<ref name="Chandra"/> Reviewing ''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'' (2001) for ''Hindustan Times'', Vinayak Chakravorty noted that "there is an admirable zest that Preity pumps into every role she does".<ref name=CCCCHT/> [[Farhan Akhtar]], who directed her in two films, believes she is an actress who "can mould herself{{snd}}the way she speaks, works and her body language{{snd}}and adapt herself to roles", while [[Vidhu Vinod Chopra]] (director of the 2000 film ''Mission Kashmir'') credits her with the ability to "make the viewer believe even in the most convoluted situation."<ref>{{cite web |access-date=4 April 2015 |archive-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607050325/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/apr/08farhan.htm |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/apr/08farhan.htm |title=''Lakshya'' is about Hrithik, about finding yourself |url-status=live |work=Rediff.com |date=8 April 2004 |last=Ashraf |first=Syed Firdaus}}</ref><ref name="Champagne"/> In a review of ''Salaam Namaste'', Australian film critic Jake Wilson observed, "While Preity Zinta isn't the subtlest actress, she's quite a comedienne{{snd}}for a Hollywood equivalent to her combination of beauty, high-strung emotion and facial gymnastics you might have to go back to [[Natalie Wood]]."<ref>{{cite web |access-date=3 September 2011 |archive-date=5 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205113738/http://urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=10857&s=Reviews |url=http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=10857&s=Reviews |title=Salaam Namaste |publisher=Urban Cinefile |date=8 September 2005 |author=Wilson, Jake |url-status=live}}</ref> American critic Derek Elley considers her to be "one of Bollywood's best pure actresses."<ref>{{cite magazine |access-date=5 April 2015 |archive-date=17 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417122456/http://variety.com/2006/film/reviews/kabhi-alvida-naa-kehna-1200514147/ |url=https://variety.com/2006/film/reviews/kabhi-alvida-naa-kehna-1200514147/ |title=Review: ''Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'' |date=16 August 2006 |author=Elley, Derek |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url-status=live}}</ref>

Zinta's variety of characters,<ref name="Early life"/> such as ''Dil Se'' (1998), ''Sangharsh'' (1999), ''Kya Kehna'' (2000), ''Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'' (2001), ''Salaam Namaste'' (2005) and ''Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'' (2006), gained her a reputation for playing roles that go against Indian traditional mores.<ref name="bubbly image"/><ref>{{cite news |author=Nair, Nandini |title=Time to play a woman – Preity Zinta |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/time-to-play-a-woman/article1433508.ece |date=20 March 2008 |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=20 May 2009 |archive-date=17 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217040527/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/Time-to-play-a-woman/article15397918.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> These roles were cited by critics as having contributed to a new image for Indian screen women by means of departure from the conventional parts previously played by leading actresses in mainstream Hindi films.<ref name="The only man in Bollywood"/>{{sfn|Omar|2006|pp=161–162}} Karan Johar describes her as "a new-wave actress" who has the advantage of working at a time when "films portray a woman who knows her mind".<ref name="Champagne"/> The character of Preeti from ''Dil Se'' was noted by gender scholar Janell Hobson as one that breaks the stereotypes that Westerners have of South Asian women.{{sfn|Janell|2008|p=238}} Author Monika Mehta notes the similarity between Zinta's public image as an independent and opinionated woman and her culturally defiant character in ''Salaam Namaste''.{{sfn|Mehta|2017|p=351}} According to Jennifer Thomas, who analysed Zinta's roles for a chapter in the book ''Once Upon a Time in Bollywood'' (2007), Zinta "resists patriarchal constraints through her modern lifestyle and the controversial roles she chooses".{{sfn|Thomas|2007|p=164}}

==In the media==
Zinta is one of the best-known celebrities in India; at her career peak she was one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated stars and was acknowledged for having managed a career without any traditional assistance or family relations in the film industry.<ref name="The only man in Bollywood"/><ref name="changing">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mag/2005/06/19/stories/2005061900110500.htm |title=On the verge of extinction |author=Duara, Ajit |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=19 June 2005 |access-date=5 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227042536/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mag/2005/06/19/stories/2005061900110500.htm |archive-date=27 December 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Trivedi |first1=Tanvi |title=Who is the next Bollywood queen? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Who-is-the-next-Bollywood-queen/articleshow/3085603.cms |access-date=1 August 2020 |work=The Times of India |date=31 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602084537/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_Buzz/Who_is_the_next_Bollywood_queen/articleshow/3085603.cms |archive-date=2 June 2008 |language=en}}</ref> She featured in ''[[Box Office India]]''{{'}}s top actress listing for seven years and ranked first for two consecutive years (2003–2004).<ref name="top actresses" /> In its "All Time Top Actress" list, she was placed 6th.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/hit-down-actoress.php |title=Top Actresses Of All Time |access-date=28 August 2022 |work=Box Office India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327214337/https://boxofficeindia.com/hit-down-actoress.php |archive-date=27 March 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2003, Zinta appeared in the number one spot on ''[[Rediff.com]]''{{'}}s "Top Bollywood Female Stars".<ref>{{cite web |author=Kulkarni, Ronjita |title=The unanimous No 1: Preity Zinta |date=8 December 2003 |url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2003/dec/08sld1.htm |work=[[Rediff.com]] |access-date=6 April 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070227065852/http://in.rediff.com/movies/2003/dec/08sld1.htm |archive-date=27 February 2007}}</ref> She was ranked second for the following three years.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sen, Raja |year=2004 |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2004/dec/29sld4.htm |title=Best Actress 2004 |work=Rediff.com |access-date=6 April 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070404044350/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2004/dec/29sld4.htm |archive-date=4 April 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Kulkarni, Ronjita |year=2005 |url=http://specials.rediff.com/yearend/2005/dec/23yend2.htm |title=Ten best Bollywood actresses of 2005 |work=Rediff.com |access-date=6 April 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516022358/http://specials.rediff.com/yearend/2005/dec/23yend2.htm |archive-date=16 May 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Sen, Raja |date=5 September 2006 |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2006/sep/05sld9.htm |title=Readers' Pick: Top Bollywood Actresses |work=Rediff.com |access-date=6 April 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516024052/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2006/sep/05sld9.htm |archive-date=16 May 2007}}</ref> She has been featured frequently on other ''Rediff.com'' lists, including "Bollywood's Most Beautiful Actresses",<ref>{{cite web |title=Bollywood's Most Beautiful Actresses |url=http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2004/mar/24sld7.htm |work=Rediff.com |year=2004 |access-date=6 April 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515202824/http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2004/mar/24sld7.htm |archive-date=15 May 2007}}</ref> "Bollywood's Best Dressed Women",<ref>{{cite web |author=Verma, Sukanya |title=Bollywood's best dressed women |date=9 May 2007 |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/may/02sld5.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=20 May 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070522130450/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/may/02sld5.htm |archive-date=22 May 2007}}</ref> "Bollywood's Wonder Woman",<ref>{{cite web |author=Verma, Sukanya |title=Bollywood's Wonder Women |url=https://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/mar/07sli1.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=16 February 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121164923/https://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/mar/07sli1.htm |archive-date=21 November 2009}}</ref> and "Women of Many Faces".<ref>{{cite web |author=Verma, Sukanya |title=Women of many faces |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/mar/08sld5.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=6 July 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070706164923/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/mar/08sld5.htm |archive-date=6 July 2007}}</ref> Between 2006 and 2008 Zinta made three consecutive appearances at the [[Cannes Film Festival]]. At first she attended the [[2006 Cannes Film Festival|2006 Film Festival]] along with filmmaker Karan Johar to represent the Hindi film industry and promote ''Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'',<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Bollywood Actress Heads To Cannes |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bollywood-actress-heads-to-cannes/ |publisher=CBS Interactive Inc |date=12 May 2006 |access-date=16 November 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009122238/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/12/entertainment/cannes/main1614686.shtml |archive-date=9 October 2007}}</ref> returning in later years as the brand ambassador of [[Chopard]], the maker of luxury watches and jewellery.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |title=Exhausted Preity Zinta flies off to Cannes |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/dresscircle/Exhausted-Preity-Zinta-flies-off-to-Cannes/Article1-311247.aspx |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=16 May 2008 |access-date=7 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716233606/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/dresscircle/Exhausted-Preity-Zinta-flies-off-to-Cannes/Article1-311247.aspx |archive-date=16 July 2012}}</ref>

In September 2006 the UK magazine ''[[Eastern Eye (newspaper)|Eastern Eye]]'' ranked her among "Asia's Sexiest Women".<ref>{{cite web |title=Asia's sexiest women |date=20 September 2006 |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2006/sep/20sld1.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=25 September 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208151814/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2006/sep/20sld1.htm |archive-date=8 February 2012}}</ref> In 2010, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine selected her as one of the candidates for its list of [[Time 100|the world's 100 most influential people]]. She was the only Indian actress nominated for the poll and eventually did not make it to the final list, ranked at 144.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The 2010 TIME 100 Poll |url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1972075_1972078_1972573,00.html |date=1 April 2011 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=3 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405203358/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1972075_1972078_1972573,00.html |archive-date=5 April 2010}}</ref> In 2009, she received [[International Indian Film Academy Awards|IIFA]]-[[FICCI|FICCI Frames]] Awards, among 10 "Most Powerful Entertainers of the Decade".<ref>{{cite news |title=Big B, SRK bag most powerful entertainer awards at FICCI-Frames |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/big-b-srk-bag-most-powerful-entertainer-awards-at-ficci-frames/story-0bwzyib7mSlgvLCVwJIh6M.html |access-date=11 February 2022 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=18 February 2009 |language=en}}</ref> She was later honoured at [[Venice Film Festival]], in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|date=5 September 2011|accessdate=11 February 2022 |title=Preity Zinta to be felicitated at the Venice Film Festival|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/preity-zinta-to-be-felicitated-at-the-venice-film-festival/841887/|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> Zinta has been a celebrity endorser for brands such as [[Mortein]], [[Dabur|Dabur Vatika]], [[Head & Shoulders]], [[BSNL]] and [[Himachal Pradesh|Himachal Pradesh Tourism]].<ref>{{cite news |work=India Today |title=Preity Zinta to be Himachal Tourism brand ambassador |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/preity-zinta-to-be-himachal-tourism-brand-ambassador/story-ScpTe6wtuE6FXbkOnFrZTJ.html |access-date=29 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822010151/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/preity-zinta-to-be-himachal-tourism-brand-ambassador/story-ScpTe6wtuE6FXbkOnFrZTJ.html |archive-date=22 August 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Since 2007, Zinta's popularity was on a decline and she lost out on her brand endorsements to a number of younger actresses.<ref>{{cite news |author=Singh, Prashant |work=India Today |title=Ageing trio fails to bag ads after a string of flop films |date=26 April 2009 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/headlines-today-top-stories/story/ageing-trio-fails-to-bag-ads-after-a-string-of-flop-films-45667-2009-04-25 |access-date=13 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203010151/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Ageing+trio+fails+to+bag+ads+after+a+string+of+flop+films/1/38910.html |archive-date=3 February 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> This was followed by further decline in popularity when she restricted her work in films, culminating the debacle of her self-produced comeback vehicle.<ref name="Shobhaa"/> Film journalists like Khalid Mohamed and Subhash K. Jha have written columns in which they lament her absence from the movies and encourage her to return to acting.<ref name="openletter">{{cite web |last1=Jha |first1=Subhash K. |title=Open letter to Preity Zinta: You have the ability to bring back your good times in Bollywood |url=https://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/open-letter-to-preity-zinta-you-have-the-ability-to-bring-back-your-good-times-in-bollywood-2605298.html |website=[[Firstpost]] |access-date=17 April 2020 |language=en |date=31 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205121629/http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/open-letter-to-preity-zinta-you-have-the-ability-to-bring-back-your-good-times-in-bollywood-2605298.html |archive-date=5 December 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mohamed |first1=Khalid |title=Pretty please, Preity |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/wknd/bollywood/pretty-please-preity |access-date=4 May 2020 |work=Khaleej Times |date=27 May 2016 |language=en |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803022551/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/wknd/bollywood/yeh-ballet-could-be-the-best-thing-youre-likely-to-watch-on-netflix-this-month |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Filmography and accolades==
{{Main
|Preity Zinta filmography
|List of awards and nominations received by Preity Zinta
|l1=
|l2=list of awards and nominations
}}
	
Zinta has acted in over 30 films. She has won two [[Filmfare Awards]] from ten nominations: [[Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut|Best Female Debut]] for ''Dil Se..'' and ''Soldier'' and [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] for ''Kal Ho Naa Ho''. She is among the few Indian actors to be nominated for a [[Genie Awards|Genie Award]] and to win the main acting award at the [[Chicago International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiafm.com/celebrities/awards/10155/index.html |title=Preity Zinta: Awards & nominations |publisher=[[Bollywood Hungama|IndiaFM]] |access-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080526234522/http://www.indiafm.com/celebrities/awards/10155/index.html |archive-date=26 May 2008 }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Film|India}}
* [[List of Indian film actresses]]
* [[List of people from Himachal Pradesh]]

==References==
<references>
<ref name="birth_details">{{cite news |author=Joshi, Shriniwas |newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |title=Glamour girls from Himachal Pradesh |date=16 March 2007 |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070316/hp1.htm#21 |access-date=8 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914103328/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070316/hp1.htm |archive-date=14 September 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Chopra-India-Today">{{cite magazine |last=Chopra |first=Anupama |author-link=Anupama Chopra |title=Sassy Sirens |magazine=[[India Today]] |date=18 September 2000 |access-date=24 January 2011 |url=http://www.india-today.com/itoday/20000918/cinema.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124045257/http://india-today.com/itoday/20000918/cinema.shtml |archive-date=24 November 2010}}</ref>
</references>

==Bibliography==
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* {{cite book |last=Dawar |first=Ramesh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TO6Fmi8FraUC |title=Bollywood: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow |year=2006 |publisher=Star Publications |isbn=978-1-9058-630-13}}
* {{cite book |last1=De |first1=Sanchari |last2=Sarwal |first2=Amit |editor1-last=Kishore |editor1-first=Vikrant |editor2-last=Sarwal |editor2-first=Amit |editor3-last=Patra |editor3-first=Parichay |title=Salaam Bollywood: Representations and interpretations |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UwLeCwAAQBAJ |date=2016 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-1-317-23286-5 |chapter=Old Wine in the New Bottle: Bollywood Films Shot in Australia after 9/11}}
* {{cite book |last1=Dwyer |first1=Rachel |author-link1=Rachel Dwyer |title=100 Bollywood Films |url=https://archive.org/details/100bollywoodfilm00dwye |date=2005 |publisher=Lotus Collection, Roli Books |isbn=978-81-7436-433-3}}
* {{cite book |last1=Glaser |first1=Ed |title=How the World Remade Hollywood: Global Interpretations of 65 Iconic Films |date=7 March 2022 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-4467-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=otljEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA257 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last1=Gulzar |last2=Nihalani |first2=Govind |last3=Chatterjee |first3=Saibal |author-link1=Gulzar |author-link2=Govind Nihalani |author-link3=Saibal Chatterjee |title=Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8y8vN9A14nkC&pg=PT401 |year=2003 |publisher=[[Popular Prakashan]] |isbn=978-81-7991-066-5}}
* {{cite book |last=Gopal |first=Sangita |title=Conjugations: Marriage and Form in New Bollywood Cinema |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sVO6GMT_OIAC |year=2012 |publisher=[[University of Chicago Press]] |isbn=978-0-226-30427-4}}
* {{cite book |last1=Hassam |first1=Andrew |editor1-last=Hassam |editor1-first=Andrew |editor2-last=Paranjape |editor2-first=M. |title=Bollywood in Australia : Transnationalism and Cultural Production |date=2010 |publisher=University of Western Australia Pub |location=Crawley |isbn=978-1-74258-270-2 |pages=63–86 |url=https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1262&context=artspapers |chapter=Salaam Namaste, Melbourne and Cosmopolitanism}}
* {{cite book |last1=Janell |first1=Hobson |editor1-last=Morgen |editor1-first=Sandra |editor2-last=Sutton |editor2-first=Barbara |editor3-last=Novkov |editor3-first=Julie |editor1-link=Sandra Morgen |editor3-link=Julie Novkov |title=Security Disarmed: Critical Perspectives on Gender, Race, and Militarization |date=13 August 2008 |publisher=Rutgers University Press |isbn=978-0-8135-4555-4 |pages=231–243 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Or5_3iS-DicC&pg=PA237 |language=en |chapter=Militarizing Women in Film: Toward a Cinematic Framing of War and Terror}}
* {{cite book |last=Jha |first=Subhash K. |author-link=Subhash K. Jha |title=The Essential Guide to Bollywood |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8u9kAAAAMAAJ |date=2005a |publisher=Lustre Press |isbn=978-81-7436-378-7 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last1=Kumar |first1=Anup |editor1-last=Medina-Rivera |editor1-first=Antonio |editor2-last=Wilberschied |editor2-first=Lee |title=Constructing Identities: the Interaction of National, Gender and Racial Borders |date=2013 |publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing |isbn=978-1-4438-5092-6 |pages=116–142 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ws8wBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA131 |chapter=Bollywood and the Diaspora: The Flip Side of Globalization and Cultural Hybridity in ''Kal Ho Na Ho'' and ''Salaam Namaste''}}
* {{cite book |last1=Maitra |first1=Smita |editor1-last=Batabyal |editor1-first=Somnath |title=Environment, Politics and Activism: The Role of Media |date=17 July 2015 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-34151-2 |pages=59–77 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o2wwCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA76 |language=en |chapter=Greenathon: Organizing the Social-Conscience of Post-Liberalization Urban India}}
* {{cite book |last=Mazumdar |first=Ranjani |title=Bombay Cinema: An Archive of the City |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xenNBrRKOGoC |year=2007 |publisher=[[University of Minnesota Press]] |isbn=978-1-4529-1302-5}}
* {{cite book |last1=Krämer |first1=Lucia |editor1-last=Leitch |editor1-first=Thomas |editor1-link=Thomas Leitch |title=The Oxford Handbook of Adaptation Studies |date=2017 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-933100-0 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3FkjDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA258 |language=en |chapter=Adaptation in Bollywood}}
* {{cite book |last=Mehta |first=Monika |editor1-last=Viswamohan |editor1-first=Aysha Iqbal |editor2-last=John |editor2-first=Vimal Mohan |title=Behind the Scenes: Contemporary Bollywood Directors and Their Cinema |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wigBDgAAQBAJ |year=2017 |publisher=[[SAGE Publishing]] |isbn=978-93-86062-41-3 |chapter=Location and Agency in Crafting Habib Faisal's Authorship}}
* {{cite book |last1=Mishra |first1=Vijay |editor1-last=Donald |editor1-first=James |editor2-last=Renov |editor2-first=Michael |title=The SAGE Handbook of Film Studies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A9NX-vJqFy8C |date=2008 |publisher=SAGE Publishing |isbn=978-1-4739-7180-6 |language=en |chapter=Re-Mapping Bollywood Cinema: A Postcolonial Case-Study}}
* {{cite book |last=Omar |first=Fuad |title=Bollywood: An Insider's Guide |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8kF7dECS-cIC |date=1 June 2006 |publisher=Mayhem Publishing |isbn=978-1-84728-009-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Pande |first=Alka |author-link=Alka Pande |title=Ardhanarishvara, the Androgyne: Probing the Gender Within |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WhbqAAAAMAAJ |year=2004 |publisher=Rupa & Company |isbn=978-81-291-0464-9}}
* {{cite book |last=Pervez |first=Muhammad Shoaib |title=Security Community in South Asia: India-Pakistan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ha5-6udOXeAC&q=Mission+Kashmir+Indo-Pakistan |year=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-203-10626-6}}
* {{cite book |last1=Saleh |first1=Ibrahim |last2=Knieper |first2=Thomas |title=The Visual Politics of War Volume Two: Truth and Lies of Soft Power |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9GF6DwAAQBAJ&q=Lakshya+2004+synopsis |date=12 November 2018 |publisher=[[Cambridge Scholars Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-52752-141-4}}
* {{cite book |last1=Sen |first1=Sharmila |editor1-last=Morey |editor1-first=Peter |editor2-last=Tickell |editor2-first=Alex |title=Alternative Indias: Writing, Nation and Communalism |date=2005 |publisher=Rodopi |isbn=978-90-420-1927-0 |pages=197–223 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=52EHM4jcT_AC&pg=PA217 |chapter-url=https://brill.com/display/book/9789401202596/B9789401202596_s013.xml |chapter=No Passports, No Visas: The Line of Control Between India and Pakistan in Contemporary Bombay Cinema |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last=Thomas |first=Jennifer |title=Once Upon a Time in Bollywood: The Global Swing in Hindi Cinema |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HbwaAQAAIAAJ |editor1-last=Singh |editor1-first=Gurbir Jolly |editor2-last=Wadhwani |editor2-first=Zenia B. |editor3-last=Barretto |editor3-first=Deborah |publisher=[[TSAR Publications]] |year=2007 |pages=162–174 |chapter=Bollywood's Female Fantasies of Resistance: Online Fan Discourse and Modern Indian Identity |isbn=978-1-8947-704-08}}
* {{cite book |last1=Mukherjee |first1=Shreyosi |chapter=Women (Not) Telling Women's Stories: Tanuja Chandra's Directorial Journey from Action-Thriller to Romance and Beyond |editor1-last=Viswamohan Iqbal |editor1-first=Aysha |title=Women Filmmakers in Contemporary Hindi Cinema: Looking through their Gaze |date=2023 |publisher=Springer International Publishing |isbn=978-3-031-10232-5 |pages=79–95 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rjGqEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA86 |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-10232-5_5 |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-031-10232-5_5}}
{{refend|30em}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite web |url=http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/apr/24inter2.htm |title=What Preity Zinta wants in the new India |last=Peschardt |first=Michael |date=24 April 2006 |work=[[Rediff.com]] |access-date=31 January 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104135140/http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/apr/24inter2.htm |archive-date=4 January 2013 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jul/04intro.htm |title=Preity purrfect! Getting fresh and friendly with Preity Zinta. |last=Verma |first=Sukanya |date=4 July 2001 |work=Rediff.com |access-date=31 January 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104122212/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/jul/04intro.htm |archive-date=4 January 2013 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Taparia Rathi |first=Nidhi |date=30 September 2002 |title=Bollywood's bubbly girl Preity Zinta guns for top spot |magazine=[[India Today]] |publisher=Living Media India Limited |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/20020930-bollywood-bubbly-girl-preity-zinta-guns-for-top-spot-796245-2002-09-30 |access-date=31 January 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803022838/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/20020930-bollywood-bubbly-girl-preity-zinta-guns-for-top-spot-796245-2002-09-30 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Bollywood Hungama person|preity-zinta}}
* {{IMDb name|0006689}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes person|preity_zinta}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Awards by Preity Zinta
| list =
{{FilmfareAwardBestActress 2001-2020}}
{{FilmfareAwardBestFemaleDebut}}
{{IIFAAwardBestActress}}
{{ScreenAwardBestFemaleDebut}}
{{StardustAwardBestActress}}
{{StardustAwardFemaleActor}}
{{Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut}}
}}
{{Nach Baliye 7}}
{{Authority control}}
{{featured article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Zinta, Preity}}
[[Category:Preity Zinta| ]]
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Actors from Shimla]]
[[Category:Actresses from Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Female models from Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi television]]
[[Category:Indian expatriate actresses in the United States]]
[[Category:Indian Premier League franchise owners]]
[[Category:Cricket patrons]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards winners]]
[[Category:Screen Awards winners]]
[[Category:International Indian Film Academy Awards winners]]
[[Category:Zee Cine Awards winners]]
[[Category:St. Bede's College, Shimla alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]