Preity Zinta (pronounced ; born 31 January 1975) is an Indian film actress. She has appeared in
Hindi films of
Bollywood, as well as
Telugu,
Punjabi and English language films. After graduating with a degree in
criminal psychology, Zinta made her acting debut in
Dil Se.. in 1998 followed by a role in
Soldier the same year. These performances earned her a
Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut, and she was later recognised for her role as a teenage single mother in
Kya Kehna (2000). She subsequently established a career with a variety of character types; her film roles along with her screen persona have been credited with contributing to a change in the concept of a Hindi film heroine, and won her
several accolades.