Published By: Sayan Paul

Happy Birthday, Preity Zinta: Internationally Acclaimed Films That Remain Overlooked

Besides her commercially successful Hindi films, Preity Zinta has also ventured into the world of 'parallel cinema'.

"I did think with art films that they don't pay you, they don't feed you, but I was wrong, and I'm so happy to be here." - Preity Zinta.

Someone mentions Preity Zinta, and all her characters from those mainstream Hindi films immediately come to our minds. First of all, she is Zara from 'Veer Zara' who makes us fall in love with the idea of love. Also, she is the strong and confident Sufiya in 'Mission Kashmir', progressive Amby in 'Salaam Namaste', and "pretty woman" Naina in 'Kal Ho Naa Ho" among others. Whether it's her trademark dimple, her gracious smile, or simply her personality - each of her characters remains our favorite always. As Farhan Akhtar, who directed her in 'Dil Chahta Hai' and 'Lakshya', said, "Preity is an actress who can mold herself; the way she speaks, works, and her body language, and adapt herself to roles." Karan Johar described her as a "new-wave actress", and Vidhi Vinod Chopra said she has "the ability to make the viewer believe even in the most convoluted situation".

However, not many know that besides her successful works in Bollywood, the actress has also ventured into the world of what we call "parallel cinema". Some of those, despite gaining international acclaim, remain overlooked in the media. Today, on the actress's 50th birthday, let's have a look at them.

The Last Lear (2007)

Following the failure of 'Jaan-E-Mann' and 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom', Preity decided to expand her career by venturing into parallel cinema. In 2007, she acted in her first English-language film, 'The Last Lear', directed by Rituparno Ghosh. Breaking free from her usual roles of Bollywood heroines, she delivered a nuanced performance as Shabnam (a struggling film actress working on a new project opposite Shakespearean actor Harish Mishra amidst a falling relationship with her possessive husband) here, showcasing her versatility. She portrayed the character's emotional struggle with enormous depth, leaving a strong impact on our minds. Also, her chemistry with Amitabh Bachchan here is just the cherry on the cake.

(Credit: Shahran Morshed)

The film premiered at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival. And her performance was lauded by critics. Renowned critic Rajeev Masand wrote that she "gets through her scenes competently, never allowing her cute-as-a-button image to take away from the impact she makes here as a conflicted, mature woman."

Heaven on Earth (2008)

In Deepa Mehta's Canadian film 'Heaven on Earth' ('Videsh' in India), Preity Zinta played the role of a young woman who gets trapped in an abusive arranged marriage with an Indo-Canadian man.

Preity's character here, Chand Kaur Dhillon, is very complex - a woman caught in the cycle of domestic violence, while also struggling with a cultural shock after moving to Canada from India. The actress perfectly captured the character's emotional vulnerability and transformation from being a naive girl to a strong and resilient woman. Her portrayal is not only heart-wrenching but also incredibly inspiring for everyone who is struggling out there.

(Credit: Debi)

The film was screened at various international film festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival, the Edmonton International Film Festival, and the Kingston Canadian Film Festival. And Preity's performance received acclaim from worldwide, with many calling it her finest. Critic S. James Wegg wrote, "Chand is beautifully created by Preity Zinta who grows with the role that few her age could master." Variety (an American trade magazine) wrote "Zinta, who appears in nearly every scene … undertake[s] a stunning psychological transformation." Wendy Mitchell remarked, "Zinta ... poignantly plays against the ‘cool-chick’ persona for which she is renowned on the Bollywood circuit."