Career Timeline of Preity Zinta: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Preity Zinta, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Preity Zinta is a prominent Indian actress celebrated for her work in Hindi cinema. After earning degrees in English and criminal psychology, she debuted in films like Dil Se.. and Soldier in 1998, winning a Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She gained further recognition for her role in Kya Kehna (2000). Zinta established herself as a leading actress, known for her diverse roles and unconventional on-screen persona. Her performances, often considered culturally defiant, have earned her numerous accolades.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1996: First Television Commercial

In 1996, Preity Zinta filmed her first television commercial for Perk chocolates after being persuaded to audition by a director she met at a friend's birthday party.

1998: First Film Release: Dil Se..

In 1998, 'Dil Se..' was released, marking Preity Zinta's first film role. She played Preeti Nair, Shahrukh Khan's fiancée. The film garnered her a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress, and she also starred in Soldier, winning the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for her performances in both 'Dil Se..' and 'Soldier'.

1998: Telugu Films and Sangharsh Offer

In 1998, Preity Zinta acted in two Telugu films, 'Premante Idera', and Tanuja Chandra approached her for the part in 'Sangharsh'.

1998: Acting Debut and Soldier Role

In 1998, Preity Zinta made her acting debut in 'Dil Se..' and subsequently appeared in 'Soldier'. These performances led to her winning the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.

1998: Meeting Shekhar Kapur and Debut Role Recommendation

In 1998, Preity Zinta met Shekhar Kapur, who recognized her potential and encouraged her to become an actress. He later recommended her for Mani Ratnam's 'Dil Se..'.

1998: Variety of Roles in Dil Se

In 1998, Preity Zinta's role in Dil Se, among other films, gained her a reputation for playing unconventional roles, contributing to a new image for Indian screen women.

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1999: Role in Sangharsh

In 1999, Preity Zinta starred in 'Sangharsh', playing a CBI officer who falls in love with a captured killer. Her performance was well-received, with critics noting her amazing act in the intense film.

2000: Recognition for Kya Kehna

In 2000, Preity Zinta gained recognition for her role in 'Kya Kehna', where she played a teenage single mother.

2000: Kya Kehna and Mission Kashmir

In 2000, Preity Zinta starred in 'Kya Kehna', which became a major box-office success. She also appeared in 'Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega' and 'Mission Kashmir', becoming the year's third-highest-grossing release in India.

2000: Vidhu Vinod Chopra's comments on Preity Zinta's acting

In 2000, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the director of Mission Kashmir, praised Preity Zinta's ability to make viewers believe even in the most convoluted situations.

2000: Kya Kehna Shooting

Preity Zinta commenced shooting for Kundan Shah's Kya Kehna, whose release was delayed until 2000.

2001: Releases: Dil Chahta Hai and Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke

In 2001, Preity Zinta featured in 'Dil Chahta Hai', where she played Aamir Khan's love interest. She also starred in 'Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke', which was not commercially successful.

2001: Roles in Farz and Chori Chori Chupke Chupke

In 2001, Preity Zinta starred in 'Farz', which was not successful, and 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke', where she played a surrogate mother. Her performance in 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke' earned her a second Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Filmfare Awards.

2001: Roles in Chori Chori Chupke Chupke and Dil Chahta Hai

In 2001, Preity Zinta took on critically acclaimed roles in 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke' and 'Dil Chahta Hai'.

2001: Review of Chori Chori Chupke Chupke

In 2001, Vinayak Chakravorty reviewed "Chori Chori Chupke Chupke" for Hindustan Times, praising Preity Zinta's zest in every role.

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2002: Role in Dil Hai Tumhaara

In 2002, Preity Zinta appeared in 'Dil Hai Tumhaara', receiving critical appreciation for her performance.

2003: Ranked Top Bollywood Female Star

In 2003, Preity Zinta appeared in the number one spot on Rediff.com's "Top Bollywood Female Stars".

2003: Lead Role in Highest-Grossing Films

In 2003, Preity Zinta starred in three of India's highest-grossing films of the year: 'The Hero: Love Story of a Spy', 'Koi... Mil Gaya', and 'Kal Ho Naa Ho'. She played Reshma in 'The Hero', which was an expensive production but considered a disappointment.

2003: Filmfare Award and Top-Grossing Films

In 2003, Preity Zinta won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her role in 'Kal Ho Naa Ho'. She also starred in 'Koi... Mil Gaya', one of the top-grossing films in India that year.

January 2004: The changing face of Bollywood

In January 2004, Preity Zinta joined BBC News Online as a South Asian commentator. Her first column, "The changing face of Bollywood", published in January 2004, became one of the site's ten most read stories of the day, discussing the evolution of Bollywood.

2004: BBC News Columns

Between 2004 and 2005, Preity Zinta wrote a series of columns for BBC News Online South Asia.

2004: Ranked First in Box Office India's top actress listing

In 2004, Preity Zinta ranked first for the second consecutive year in Box Office India's top actress listing.

2004: Lakshya release and reception

In 2004, Preity Zinta starred in "Lakshya" as TV journalist Romila Dutta. The film was critically acclaimed but Zinta's performance received mixed reviews and the film failed to attract a large audience.

2004: Veer-Zaara release

In 2004, Preity Zinta starred in "Veer-Zaara" as Zaara Haayat Khan. The film was a commercial success, becoming the top-grossing Hindi film in India and abroad that year. Zinta received a Filmfare Best Actress nomination for her performance.

2004: Success of Veer-Zaara

In 2004, Preity Zinta starred in 'Veer-Zaara', which was one of the top-grossing films in India.

2004: Supporting Blood Donation Camp

In 2004, Preity Zinta, as an ambassador of the Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Movement, attended a blood donation camp organised by the Rotary Club of Delhi and the Godfrey Phillips Awards, to promote blood donation and women's empowerment.

2005: BBC News Columns

Between 2004 and 2005, Preity Zinta wrote a series of columns for BBC News Online South Asia.

2005: Performance at "HELP! Telethon Concert"

In 2005, Preity Zinta performed at the "HELP! Telethon Concert" along with other Bollywood stars to raise money for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.

2005: Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen and Salaam Namaste releases

In 2005, Preity Zinta starred in "Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen", which received negative reviews and poor box office returns. She also starred in "Salaam Namaste", which was a commercial success. Zinta received Best Actress nominations for her role in "Salaam Namaste".

2005: Salaam Namaste Release

In 2005, Preity Zinta starred in 'Salaam Namaste', noted for her portrayal of independent, modern Indian women.

2005: Roles in Salaam Namaste

In 2005, Preity Zinta's role in Salaam Namaste, among other films, gained her a reputation for playing unconventional roles, contributing to a new image for Indian screen women.

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2006: Jaan-E-Mann Release

In 2006, Preity Zinta appeared in "Jaan-E-Mann". The film received mixed reviews and had poor box office performance. Zinta's performance was complimented despite criticisms for the role's minimal importance.

2006: Appearance at Cannes Film Festival

In 2006, Preity Zinta attended the Cannes Film Festival with Karan Johar to represent the Hindi film industry and promote "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna".

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2006: Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna release

In 2006, Preity Zinta starred in "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna". The film was a box-office hit in India and abroad. Zinta's performance received mixed reviews, with some critics praising her portrayal of a complex character.

2006: Roles in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

In 2006, Preity Zinta's role in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, among other films, gained her a reputation for playing unconventional roles, contributing to a new image for Indian screen women.

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2007: Analysis of Roles in Once Upon a Time in Bollywood

In 2007, Jennifer Thomas analyzed Zinta's roles for a chapter in the book "Once Upon a Time in Bollywood", noting her resistance to patriarchal constraints through her modern lifestyle and controversial roles.

2007: Jhoom Barabar Jhoom Release and Reception

In 2007, Preity Zinta starred in "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom", which was a commercial failure in India. Critics panned her performance in the film.

2007: The Last Lear Premiere and Zinta's venture into art films

In 2007, Preity Zinta ventured into art films with "The Last Lear", which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Zinta's performance received approving reviews.

2007: Visit to army base and painting for charity

In 2007, Preity Zinta visited Hisar, Haryana, as part of the NDTV show Jai Jawan, spending a day at the army training base to boost the morale of the troops and meet children with disabilities. In August, she painted with artist Gurcharan Singh for the cause of street children for the non-governmental organisation Khushi.

2007: Decline in Brand Endorsements

Since 2007, Preity Zinta's popularity was on a decline, leading to a loss of brand endorsements to younger actresses.

2008: Appearance at Cannes Film Festival as Brand Ambassador

In 2008, Preity Zinta made an appearance at the Cannes Film Festival as the brand ambassador of Chopard, a maker of luxury watches and jewellery.

2008: Heaven on Earth release

In 2008, Preity Zinta starred in "Heaven on Earth". Her performance earned her the Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress at the Chicago International Film Festival.

2008: International Role in Heaven on Earth

In 2008, Preity Zinta took on her first international role in the Canadian drama 'Heaven on Earth', for which she received the Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress and a Genie Award nomination.

2008: Acquisition of Kings XI Punjab IPL team

In 2008, Preity Zinta, along with others, acquired ownership rights for the Mohali-based Twenty20 cricket team of the Indian Premier League (IPL), named Kings XI Punjab (later renamed Punjab Kings).

2008: Co-ownership of Punjab Kings

Since 2008, Preity Zinta has been a co-owner of the Indian Premier League cricket team Punjab Kings.

2009: Received IIFA-FICCI Frames Awards

In 2009, Preity Zinta received the IIFA-FICCI Frames Awards, among 10 "Most Powerful Entertainers of the Decade".

2009: Adoption of 34 girls

In 2009, on her 34th birthday, Preity Zinta adopted 34 girls from the Mother Miracle orphanage in Rishikesh, taking the responsibility of financially supporting their education, food, and clothing.

2009: Only Woman IPL Team Owner

Until 2009, Zinta was the only woman to own an IPL team, and was the league's youngest owner.

January 2010: Brand Ambassador of The Loomba Trust

In January 2010, Preity Zinta was appointed the brand ambassador of The Loomba Trust, an organisation that works for the welfare of widows and their children.

2011: Launch of PZNZ Media

In 2011, Preity Zinta launched her own production company, PZNZ Media, marking a new phase in her career.

2011: Television debut with Guinness World Records – Ab India Todega

In 2011, Preity Zinta made her television debut as the host of the show Guinness World Records – Ab India Todega on Colors Channel, an Indian version of Guinness Book of World Records. She also started hosting the celebrity-based chat show Up Close & Personal with PZ later that year.

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2011: Honoured at Venice Film Festival

In 2011, Preity Zinta was honoured at the Venice Film Festival.

2013: Ishkq in Paris Release

In 2013, Preity Zinta produced and starred in 'Ishkq in Paris', which did not achieve commercial success.

2013: Reflection on Sangharsh

In 2013, Subhash K. Jha reflected that 'Sangharsh' marked a rare occasion in Hindi cinema where a top male star played a secondary role to the leading lady, Preity Zinta.

2015: Judge on Nach Baliye

In 2015, Preity Zinta featured as a talent judge for the seventh season of the dance reality show Nach Baliye.

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September 2017: Owner of Stellenbosch Kings franchise

In September 2017, Preity Zinta became the owner of the Stellenbosch Kings franchise team of South Africa's Mzansi Super League.

2017: Ownership of Stellenbosch Kings

Since 2017, Preity Zinta has owned the South-African T20 Global League cricket team Stellenbosch Kings.

2018: Bhaiaji Superhit Release

In 2018, Preity Zinta starred in "Bhaiaji Superhit". The film received negative reviews, and Zinta's performance was criticized.

2020: Appearance in Fresh Off the Boat

In 2020, Preity Zinta appeared in an episode of the American sitcom "Fresh Off the Boat".

2021: Purchase of Saint Lucia Kings CPL team

In 2021, Preity Zinta and her Punjab Kings partners bought Saint Lucia's representative team in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), rebranding it as Saint Lucia Kings.