Preity Zinta is an acclaimed Indian actress, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, celebrated for her vibrant screen presence and versatile roles in Hindi cinema.
Early Life & Education
Born on January 31, 1975, in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Preity Zinta hails from a Rajput family. Her father, Durganand Zinta, was an Indian Army officer who tragically passed away in a car accident when she was 13; her mother, Nilprabha, sustained severe injuries in the same incident. Preity has two brothers: Deepankar, a commissioned officer in the Indian Army, and Manish, who resides in California .
She completed her schooling at the Convent of Jesus and Mary in Shimla and pursued an English Honours degree at St. Bede’s College. Furthering her education, she obtained a postgraduate degree in criminal psychology before venturing into modeling, featuring in commercials for brands like Perk chocolates and Liril soap .
Bollywood Career
Preity made her film debut in 1998 with Mani Ratnam’s Dil Se.., followed by a lead role in Soldier the same year. These performances earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She gained widespread recognition with her portrayal of a teenage single mother in Kya Kehna (2000). Her role in Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress .
Throughout her career, Preity has been known for portraying strong, modern Indian women in films such as Salaam Namaste (2005) and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006). She also starred in the Canadian film Heaven on Earth (2008), earning the Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress at the Chicago International Film Festival .
Entrepreneurial Ventures
In 2008, Preity co-founded the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket team Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), becoming the league’s youngest and only female team owner at the time. She later expanded her sports business by acquiring the Stellenbosch Kings franchise in South Africa’s T20 Global League in 2017 .
To enhance her business acumen, Preity attended a course at Harvard Business School, focusing on mergers and acquisitions .
Humanitarian Work
Beyond her film and business endeavors, Preity is actively involved in humanitarian causes. She has supported women’s rights, AIDS awareness campaigns, and disaster relief efforts. Notably, she adopted 34 girls from the Mother Miracle orphanage in Rishikesh on her 34th birthday, taking responsibility for their education and well-being .
In 2004, she contributed columns to BBC News Online, discussing topics like the evolution of Bollywood and the challenges faced by Indian women. Her candid writing received widespread appreciation .
Personal Life
On February 29, 2016, Preity married Gene Goodenough, a senior vice president at NLine Energy, in a private ceremony in Los Angeles. The couple welcomed twins—a boy and a girl—via surrogacy in 2021
Awards & Recognition
- Filmfare Awards: Best Female Debut (Dil Se.., Soldier), Best Actress (Kal Ho Naa Ho)
- Silver Hugo Award: Best Actress for Heaven on Earth
- Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Award: For her courageous testimony in the 2003 Bharat Shah case Career Highlights
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Dil Se.. | Supporting Role | Film debut |
| 1998 | Soldier | Lead Role | Commercial success |
| 2000 | Kya Kehna | Teenage Single Mother | Critical acclaim |
| 2003 | Kal Ho Naa Ho | Lead Role | Filmfare Best Actress Award |
| 2008 | Heaven on Earth | Lead Role | Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress |
Preity Zinta’s journey from a small-town girl to a Bollywood star and successful entrepreneur exemplifies her versatility and resilience. Her contributions to cinema, business, and social causes continue to inspire many.