"Dil Se" didn't perform to the expectations. But there is one thing about this Mani Ratnam film, that everyone is talking about, the girl who plays Shah Rukh Khan's girlfriend. She is Preity Zinta - the new sensation to hit the Bollywood scene. Preity Zinta has come a long way since she made her mark in a very perky ad for Perk Chocolates. She became a household name thereafter and appeared on various television channels. Her acting is so spontaneous that it leaves a lasting impression on the movie-goers. This army brat does smile a lot. It is hard to miss her smile. Her charming and fresh approach to her role has won her a whole lot of fans, particularly among the young movie-lovers. Her new movie, "Soldier", in which she is playing the role of a young, rich, arrogant, innocent-yet-naughty girl opposite Bobby Deol, has been eagerly-awaited. Already, its music is getting a good response. This being her first film as a full-fledged actress, Preity is pretty excited about Soldier.
Actually, Preity's film career began even before "Dil Se" and "Soldier". It was Shekhar Kapoor of Bandit Queen fame who chose her first in his yet-to-be-made "Tara Rum Pum Pum". Since Shekhar is busy in his international projects which include the controversial movie "Elizabeth", "Tara Rum Pum Pum" seems to have no immediate future. Preity feels pained that "Dil Se" did not do well despite being a Mani Ratnam project complete with the heady mix of music wizard A R Rahman and poet-director Gulzar. Its song "Chhaiya, Chhaiya" has entered all the music charts. However, the Mani magic doesn't seem to have clicked with the audience in this case. For Preity, who likes Guru Dutt, Marlon Brando, Al Pacino and Tom Hanks, variety is the buzz-word while chosing roles in movies. She doesn't want to do super-serious roles all the time. She says doing that could drive her crazy. Preity is doing a few lighter roles in her forthcoming movies. In Kundan Shah's "Kya Yahi Pyar Hai", she stars opposite Salman Khan and Saif Ali Khan while in Raj Kanwar's "Farz", she is cast alongside Jackie Shroff and Sunny Deol. There is another movie, "Andhera", a Tanuja Chandra movie, which has Akshay Kumar, Ashutosh Rana and Preity Zinta in the starcast. Zinta loves travelling and has travelled all over the world. Her favourite holiday destinations include Mikanos in Greece, Rishikesh, Vienna and Amsterdam.
Preity is very close to her mother and her two brothers. She has fond memories of her father who passed away when she was quite young. She has received her schooling in Simla where she won recognition for her proficiency on the sportsfield. Here is a surprisefrom the surprise entry into the Bollywood stardom. She has taken a course in advanced criminal psychology. Ask her what she would have been if she hadn't entered the 'filmi duniya', and her reply would obviously be that she would have loved to be a criminal psychologist. A voracious reader, she reads anything she can lay her hands on, from Twinkle comics and Ayan Rand to Jeffrey Archer. A sports-lover, Preity represented her school in basketball at the state level. She is also fond of atheletics, cricket and soccer. Her favourite movie is "Love Story" starring Ryan O'Neil and Ali Macgraw. The media attention that Preity is drawing and the response of her fans, both indicate that this latest lass to hit Bollywood has already found a toe-hold in the big bad world of Hindi Cinema. Can she use this space as the launching pad to stardom? This bubbly, aspirant does possess a million-dollar-smile. But, does she have what it takes to counted among the Raveenas and Karishmas of Bollywood? Only time will tell.Get to know Preity Zinta !!!
Turn-ons: Good food
Turn-offs: Bad breath
Car in school: I was in boarding school, but during the holidays I travelled in a Maruti Gypsy
Car now: A white Honda City
Favourite TV show: The Simpsons
On what occasions do you lie: Whenever I'm required to
Memorable moments: The day I watched my first film, Dil Se in the theatre
Philosophy of life: Live and let live
On a blind date you'd go out with: Ethan Hawke
Secret ambition: To become Prime Minister of India
If you were a burglar you'd steal: The new Porsche at Dubai airport
You'd like to be reborn as: Myself
Allergies: Unflattering photographs of mine that get printed and tindas
Favourite drink: Apple juice fresh from my farm
Terrified of: Becoming an amnesiac
Recurring dream: That I've fallen down the stairs and broken my two front teeth
Favourite book: Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged
Vegetable you resemble most: A carrot
One role you'd give your eye and teeth for: Marlon Brando's in The Godfather
