In 2000, Preity Zinta had a standout year starting with the success of “Kya Kehna,” a drama tackling single parenthood and teenage pregnancy. Her portrayal of Priya Bakshi, a teenage single mom, earned her recognition and a Filmfare Awards nomination for Best Actress. Following this, she charmed audiences in the romantic comedy “Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega” and contributed to Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s successful drama “Mission Kashmir.”

The following year, in 2001, Zinta took on a different role in “Chori Chori Chupke Chupke,” a family drama addressing surrogate childbirth. Despite a delayed release, the film found its audience, and Zinta’s commitment to portraying a surrogate mother earned her praise and another Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Filmfare Awards.

That same year, she joined the cast of Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai,” a coming-of-age film lauded for its realistic portrayal of urban Indian youth. Zinta played Shalini, Aamir Khan’s conflicted love interest, and the film earned several awards, including a National Film Award.

In 2002, Zinta collaborated with director Kundan Shah again for “Dil Hai Tumhaara,” a family drama where she played Shalu, an adopted daughter in search of love. While the film didn’t strike gold at the box office, Zinta’s performance received widespread acclaim from critics.

Throughout this period, Preity Zinta showcased her versatility, taking on diverse roles and earning praise for her impactful performances.

Established actress (2003–2007)

In 2003, Preity Zinta made a mark with lead roles in three major films: “The Hero: Love Story of a Spy,” “Koi… Mil Gaya,” and “Kal Ho Naa Ho.” While “The Hero” faced challenges despite its high production costs, Zinta’s role in “Armaan” earned her praise.

Her portrayal of Nisha in “Koi… Mil Gaya,” a sci-fi film about an unusual friendship, received acclaim. The film’s success led to two sequels. In “Kal Ho Naa Ho,” Zinta played Naina Catherine Kapur, an insecure Indian-American, contributing to the film’s global success.

In 2004, she showcased her versatility in “Veer-Zaara,” a cross-border romance directed by Yash Chopra. The film garnered acclaim and box-office success.

In 2005, Zinta had a mixed year with the poorly received “Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen” and the successful “Salaam Namaste,” shot entirely in Australia. The latter showcased her as the independent protagonist Ambar Malhotra.

2006 brought more success with “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna,” where Zinta played Rhea Saran, an ambitious editor. The film, exploring marital complexities, became a massive hit. In “Jaan-E-Mann” (2006), Zinta portrayed Piya in a romantic musical, receiving mixed reviews. Her subsequent project, “Jhoom Barabar Jhoom” (2007), faced commercial failure and criticism.

Throughout this period, Preity Zinta exhibited her versatility, delivering notable performances in both critically acclaimed and commercially successful films.

Hiatus and occasional returns (2009–present)

After “Heaven on Earth,” Preity Zinta took a two-year break from films, focusing on her cricket team. In 2011, she ventured into film production with PZNZ Media. Two years later, her production debut, “Ishkq in Paris,” showcased Zinta’s acting and writing skills.

Despite the film’s box office struggles and mixed reviews, her performance received praise for being “hugely likeable.”

Zinta then took a five-year break before returning in “Bhaiaji Superhit” (2018), criticized for its farcical elements. In 2020, she appeared in an episode of “Fresh Off the Boat” and was slated for a spin-off that, unfortunately, didn’t materialize.