It’s Preity Zinta’s birthday today, and we are really sad that the Kings XI Punjab owner doesn’t appear in that many films anymore. She was cute, she was bubbly and she would make you invest emotionally in her career with her wide range of expressions. From the dimpled smile to the tears, everything seemed natural. She was also one of those actresses who took on roles well ahead of her times.

Kya Kehna

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJg8WdpN4HA

In Kya Kehna, Preity Zinta deals with the issue of pre-marital pregnancy, which is such a big taboo in India. The role even earned her a Best Actress nomination in 46^th edition of the Filmfare Awards. One of the interesting things about the film is also the fact that the title track has been lifted from the English number ‘Oh Carol!’

Dil Se

A film on terrorism, Dil Se was an extremely well-made effort by Mani Ratnam which also saw the debut of Preity Zinta who plays a supporting role. The film had a non-linear screenplay, and even though it didn’t find much success in India (its songs did), it was a huge success in the overseas market.

Chori Chori Chupke Chupke

A film about surrogacy, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke sees Preity Zinta get pregnant for a couple (played by Salman Khan and Rani Mukherji). Even though it’s very melodramatic, the subject it touches upon was very progressive for those times.

Salaam Namaste

In India, live-in relationships are a bit of a taboo among conservative people. Not many parents would allow it even now, so for Preity to do a film on this subject in 2005 was brave.

Veer Zaara

The very fact that someone who has been married can still be in love with another person, and also the fact that love doesn’t understand religion or borders was something we all wanted to see. It was also great to see a movie where someone stays in jail for so long and still keeps the flame of love alive in his heart.