History of Preity Zinta in Timeline
Preity Zinta is a prominent Indian actress celebrated for her work in Hindi cinema. With a background in English honors and criminal psychology, she debuted in 'Dil Se..' (1998) and 'Soldier' (1998), winning a Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She gained recognition for playing a teenage single mother in 'Kya Kehna' (2000) and continued to build a successful career portraying diverse and culturally defiant characters, solidifying her status as a leading actress.
1947: Hindi cinema with Lahore 1947
After another hiatus, Preity Zinta will return to Hindi cinema with Lahore 1947, a period drama film directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and co-starring Sunny Deol.
January 1975: Preity Zinta's Birth
In January 1975, Preity Zinta was born into a Himachali Rajput Hindu family from Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh.
1996: First Television Commercial
In 1996, Preity Zinta's first television commercial was for Perk chocolates, after a chance meeting with a director. She later appeared in commercials for Liril soap.
1997: Meeting Shekhar Kapur
In 1997, Preity Zinta met Shekhar Kapur and was encouraged to become an actress. She was scheduled to debut in 'Tara Rum Pum Pum', but the filming was cancelled.
1998: Acting in Telugu Films
In 1998, Preity Zinta acted in the Telugu film 'Premante Idera'.
1998: Acting Debut in 'Dil Se..'
In 1998, Preity Zinta made her acting debut in the film 'Dil Se..' followed by a role in 'Soldier' in the same year. These performances earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.
1998: Dil Se Role
In 1998, Preity Zinta played the role of Preeti in 'Dil Se', which was noted by gender scholar Janell Hobson for breaking stereotypes of South Asian women.
1998: Debut with 'Dil Se..' and 'Soldier'
In 1998, Preity Zinta's first release was 'Dil Se..', followed by 'Soldier'. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for her performance in both movies.
1998: Recommendation for 'Dil Se..'
In 1998, after her original debut film was cancelled, Shekhar Kapur recommended Preity Zinta for Mani Ratnam's 'Dil Se..', marking a turning point in her career.
1999: Acting in Telugu Films
In 1999, Preity Zinta acted in the Telugu film 'Raja Kumarudu'.
1999: Role in 'Sangharsh'
In 1999, Preity Zinta starred in the thriller 'Sangharsh', directed by Tanuja Chandra. She played CBI officer Reet Oberoi.
1999: Sangharsh Role
In 1999, Zinta played a role in 'Sangharsh', gaining her a reputation for playing roles that go against Indian traditional mores.
1999: Historical events of Kargil War
In 1999, the historical events of the Kargil War took place, which later served as the basis for the 2004 film Lakshya, where Preity Zinta played a TV journalist.
2000: Release of 'Kya Kehna'
In 2000, 'Kya Kehna' was finally released after delays. Preity Zinta commenced shooting for it earlier.
2000: Bharat Shah Arrest
In 2000, Bharat Shah, the financer of Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, was arrested for having connections with Chhota Shakeel, a Mumbai underworld boss.
2000: Dating Marc Robinson
In 2000, Preity Zinta began dating model Marc Robinson. They separated the following year but remained on good terms.
2000: Roles in 'Kya Kehna' and 'Mission Kashmir'
In 2000, Preity Zinta starred in 'Kya Kehna', which was a box-office success. She also appeared in 'Mission Kashmir', dealing with terrorism and crime.
2000: Mission Kashmir
In 2000, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the director of the film 'Mission Kashmir', credited Preity Zinta with the ability to make viewers believe even in convoluted situations.
2000: Kya Kehna Role
In 2000, Zinta played a role in 'Kya Kehna', gaining her a reputation for playing roles that go against Indian traditional mores.
September 2001: "Craze 2001" Concerts
In September 2001, Preity Zinta participated in her first world tour, "Craze 2001", a series of concerts across the US with other Bollywood stars. The show faced early cancellation due to the 11 September 2001 attacks, but later continued in Canada.
2001: Roles in 'Dil Chahta Hai' and 'Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke'
In 2001, Preity Zinta featured in 'Dil Chahta Hai', a coming-of-age film, and 'Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke', a romantic drama.
2001: Critically Appreciated Roles
In 2001, Preity Zinta had critically appreciated roles in 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke' and 'Dil Chahta Hai'.
2001: Roles in 'Farz' and 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke'
In 2001, Preity Zinta starred in the action film 'Farz', which was commercially unsuccessful. She also appeared in 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke', which addressed surrogate childbirth and earned her critical praise.
2001: Review of Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
In 2001, Vinayak Chakravorty reviewed 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke' for Hindustan Times, noting Preity Zinta's admirable zest in every role.
2001: Chori Chori Chupke Chupke Role
In 2001, Zinta played a role in 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke', gaining her a reputation for playing roles that go against Indian traditional mores.
2002: Role in 'Dil Hai Tumhaara'
In 2002, Preity Zinta acted in 'Dil Hai Tumhaara', receiving critical appreciation for her performance.
2002: "From India With Love" show in the UK
In 2002, Preity Zinta participated in the "From India With Love" show in the UK, along with other Bollywood stars. The show took place at Manchester's Old Trafford and London's Hyde Park with over 100,000 spectators.
2002: Production delay of Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen
In 2002, the production of the film "Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen" was delayed, which Preity Zinta starred in, and was eventually released in 2005.
2003: Top Bollywood Female Stars
In 2003, Preity Zinta appeared in the number one spot on Rediff.com's "Top Bollywood Female Stars". She also appeared in Box Office India's top actress listing.
2003: Leading Role in 'The Hero: Love Story of a Spy'
In 2003, Preity Zinta played the lead role in 'The Hero: Love Story of a Spy'.
2003: Filmfare Award and Top-Grossing Films
In 2003, Preity Zinta received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her performance in 'Kal Ho Naa Ho'. She also starred in 'Koi... Mil Gaya', one of the top-grossing films in India.
2003: Testifying in the Bharat Shah Case
In 2003, Preity Zinta testified against the Indian mafia as a witness in the Bharat Shah case. She repeated her statement about receiving extortion threats and was given witness protection. Zinta also received Godfrey's Mind of Steel Award.
January 2004: Joining BBC News Online and "The changing face of Bollywood" Column
In January 2004, Preity Zinta joined BBC News Online as a South Asian commentator. Her first column, "The changing face of Bollywood", was published in January 2004, discussing the evolution of Bollywood, and became one of the site's ten most read stories of the day.
2004: Writing Columns for BBC News
Between 2004 and 2005, Preity Zinta wrote a series of columns for BBC News Online South Asia.
2004: Supporting the Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Movement
In 2004, Preity Zinta attended a blood donation camp organised by the Rotary Club of Delhi and the Godfrey Phillips Awards, as an ambassador of the Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Movement. She lent her support to women's empowerment and promoted blood donation.
2004: "Temptation 2004" World Tour
In 2004, Preity Zinta joined the "Temptation 2004" world tour with other Bollywood stars. Showcased in more than 22 countries, it became Bollywood's most prominent international concert.
2004: Zinta plays TV journalist Romila Dutta in Lakshya
In 2004, Preity Zinta played Romila Dutta, a TV journalist in the war drama Lakshya, which is based on the 1999 Kargil War, Zinta's character is modeled after Barkha Dutt. The film was critically successful but her performance received mixed reviews and it failed to attract an audience.
2004: Box Office India's top actress
In 2004, Preity Zinta ranked first in Box Office India's top actress listing for the second consecutive year.
2004: Zinta stars in Veer-Zaara
In 2004, Preity Zinta starred as Zaara Haayat Khan in the cross-border romance Veer-Zaara, where she played a feisty Pakistani woman. The film was a major success and was named Best Film at major Indian award functions.
2004: Near-Death Experiences
In late 2004, Preity Zinta narrowly escaped death twice: first after an explosion at a Temptation concert in Colombo, Sri Lanka; and second during the Indian Ocean earthquake.
February 2005: Dating Ness Wadia
In February 2005, Preity Zinta began dating businessman Ness Wadia.
2005: Writing Columns for BBC News
Between 2004 and 2005, Preity Zinta wrote a series of columns for BBC News Online South Asia.
2005: "HELP! Telethon Concert"
In 2005, Preity Zinta performed at the "HELP! Telethon Concert" to raise money for victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.
2005: Releases of Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen and Salaam Namaste
In 2005, Preity Zinta starred in Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen, which received negative reviews. She also starred in Salaam Namaste, where she played Ambar Malhotra, a radio host studying medicine, which was a commercial success.
2005: Starring in 'Salaam Namaste'
In 2005, Preity Zinta was noted for her portrayal of independent women in 'Salaam Namaste', a top-grossing production.
2005: Salaam Namaste Role
In 2005, Zinta played a culturally defiant role in 'Salaam Namaste'.
September 2006: Asia's Sexiest Women
In September 2006, the UK magazine Eastern Eye ranked Preity Zinta among "Asia's Sexiest Women".
2006: Moving into her own home in Mumbai
In 2006, Preity Zinta moved into her own home in Mumbai.
2006: Starring in 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'
In 2006, Preity Zinta starred in 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna', a top-grossing production.
2006: Zinta stars in Jaan-E-Mann
In 2006, Preity Zinta starred in Jaan-E-Mann as Piya. The film received mixed reviews and had poor box office profit.
2006: "Heat 2006" World Tour
In 2006, Preity Zinta was part of the "Heat 2006" world tour, along with other Bollywood stars.
2006: Cannes Film Festival Appearance
In 2006, Zinta attended the Cannes Film Festival with Karan Johar to represent the Hindi film industry and promote 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'.
2006: Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Role
In 2006, Zinta played a role in 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna', gaining her a reputation for playing roles that go against Indian traditional mores.
2006: Brand Ambassador for Godfrey Phillips Bravery Awards
Since 2006, Preity Zinta has been the brand ambassador for the Godfrey Phillips Bravery awards.
2007: 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 that Zinta resists patriarchal constraints through her modern lifestyle and controversial roles.
2007: Zinta stars in The Last Lear
In 2007, Preity Zinta acted in her first English-language art film, The Last Lear, playing Shabnam, a struggling film actress. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and received approving reviews.
2007: Zinta stars in Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
In 2007, Preity Zinta starred in Jhoom Barabar Jhoom as Alvira Khan, a British Pakistani woman. The film was a commercial failure and critics panned her performance.
2007: Visiting Hisar and Painting for Street Children
In 2007, Preity Zinta visited Hisar, Haryana, as part of the NDTV show Jai Jawan, to boost morale and met children with disabilities. In August 2007, she also painted for the cause of street children.
2008: Cannes Film Festival Appearance
Between 2006 and 2008, Zinta made three consecutive appearances at the Cannes Film Festival as the brand ambassador of Chopard.
2008: Acquiring ownership of Kings XI Punjab
In 2008, Preity Zinta acquired ownership rights for the Mohali-based Twenty20 cricket team of the Indian Premier League (IPL) named Kings XI Punjab (renamed Punjab Kings in 2021).
2008: "The Unforgettable Tour"
In 2008, Preity Zinta performed in "The Unforgettable Tour" with the Bachchan family and Ritesh Deshmukh. The forty-day show was staged in eleven cities across North America, Europe and the Caribbean.
2008: International Role in 'Heaven on Earth'
In 2008, Preity Zinta played her first international role in the Canadian drama 'Heaven on Earth', winning the Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress.
2008: Zinta stars in Heaven on Earth
In 2008, Preity Zinta played the leading role in Heaven on Earth, a Punjabi-language drama where she played a young Indian woman who becomes a victim of domestic abuse. Her performance earned her the Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress.
2008: Co-ownership of Punjab Kings
Since 2008, Preity Zinta has been a co-owner of the Indian Premier League cricket team Punjab Kings.
May 2009: Breakup with Ness Wadia
In May 2009, Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia ended their relationship.
2009: Adopting Girls from Mother Miracle Orphanage
In 2009, on her 34th birthday, Preity Zinta adopted 34 girls from the Mother Miracle orphanage in Rishikesh, taking responsibility for their education, food and clothing.
2009: Kings XI Punjab ownership
Until 2009, Zinta was the only woman to own an IPL team, and was the league's youngest owner of Kings XI Punjab.
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.
October 2010: Honorary Doctorate from the University of East London
In October 2010, Preity Zinta was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from the University of East London for her cultural contribution and humanitarian work.
2010: Time's 100 Most Influential People Nomination
In 2010, Time magazine selected Preity Zinta as one of the candidates for its list of the world's 100 most influential people.
2011: Zinta launches PZNZ Media
In 2011, Preity Zinta launched her own production company, PZNZ Media, marking a shift towards producing her own films.
2011: Television debut with Guinness World Records – Ab India Todega and Up Close & Personal with PZ
In 2011, Preity Zinta made her television debut as the host of "Guinness World Records – Ab India Todega" on Colors Channel. Later that year, Zinta started hosting the celebrity-based chat show "Up Close & Personal with PZ" on UTV Stars.
December 2012: "Temptation Reloaded" Concert in Jakarta
In December 2012, Preity Zinta returned to the stage with the "Temptation Reloaded" concert in Jakarta with other Bollywood stars.
2013: Comeback Film 'Ishkq in Paris'
In 2013, Preity Zinta produced and starred in her comeback film, 'Ishkq in Paris', which did not leave a mark.
2013: Reflection on 'Sangharsh'
In 2013, Subhash K. Jha reflected that 'Sangharsh', released in 1999, marked a rare occasion in Hindi cinema where a top male star played a secondary role to the leading lady, Preity Zinta.
June 2014: Filing Complaint Against Ness Wadia
On 13 June 2014, Preity Zinta filed a complaint with the Mumbai police against Ness Wadia, alleging molestation, threats, and abuse at an IPL match on 30 May 2014.
2014: Lodging a molestation complaint against Ness Wadia
In 2014, Preity Zinta lodged a molestation complaint against Ness Wadia. Shobhaa De expressed concern regarding Zinta's repeated quest for justice, believing it could eventually play against her.
2015: Talent Judge for Nach Baliye Season 7
In 2015, Preity Zinta featured as a talent judge for the seventh season of the dance reality show "Nach Baliye".
February 2016: Marriage to Gene Goodenough
On 29 February 2016, Preity Zinta married Gene Goodenough in a private ceremony in Los Angeles.
September 2017: Owner of Stellenbosch Kings
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 is the owner of the South-African T20 Global League cricket team Stellenbosch Kings.
2018: Zinta stars in Bhaiaji Superhit
In 2018, Preity Zinta starred in Bhaiaji Superhit as an aggressive Varanasi-based wife. The film received negative reviews.
2018: Complaint against Ness Wadia quashed
In 2018, the Bombay High Court quashed the complaint filed by Preity Zinta against Ness Wadia after the issue was amicably settled.
2020: Zinta appears in Fresh Off the Boat
In 2020, Preity Zinta appeared in an episode of the American sitcom Fresh Off the Boat. She was set to reprise her role in a spin-off series, but it did not materialize.
2021: Punjab Kings partners bought Saint Lucia's representative team
In 2021 Preity 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.
2021: Becoming Parents to Twins
In 2021, Preity Zinta and her husband became parents to twins through surrogacy.
2023: Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Revenue
In 2023, it was noted that Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna earned ₹635 million in India and over ₹496 million abroad.
2023: Veer-Zaara Revenue
In 2023, it was noted that Veer-Zaara film grossed over ₹940 million, equivalent to ₹3.3 billion or US$39 million.
2023: Worldwide earnings of Kal Ho Naa Ho
In 2023, it was noted that the film "Kal Ho Naa Ho" had earned over ₹750 million, which is equivalent to ₹2.8 billion or US$33 million. It was the second-biggest hit of the year in India after "Koi... Mil Gaya" and the top-grossing Hindi film overseas.
2023: Domestic Total of 'Koi... Mil Gaya' in 2023 Terms
In 2023, the ₹680 million domestic total of 'Koi... Mil Gaya', released in 2003, was equivalent to ₹2.5 billion or US$30 million.
February 2025: Backlash and Fake News Controversy
On 25 February 2025, Preity Zinta faced backlash from the Indian National Congress after a post on X (formerly Twitter) about a loan write-off. Zinta responded by tweeting against the fake news.
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