Preity Zinta (born January 31, 1975) is an Indian actress and producer who works predominantly in Hindi cinema, alongside appearances in Telugu, Punjabi, and English-language films. She made her acting debut in *Dil Se..* (1998), followed by *Soldier* (1998), winning the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for both performances. She subsequently starred in *Sangharsh* (1999) and gained wider recognition for the drama *Kya Kehna* (2000), which earned her a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.

During the early 2000s, Zinta appeared in *Mission Kashmir* (2000), *Chori Chori Chupke Chupke* (2001), *Dil Chahta Hai* (2001), and *Dil Hai Tumhaara* (2002). For her performance in the drama *Kal Ho Naa Ho* (2003), she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. Her credits during this period also included *The Hero: Love Story of a Spy* (2003), *Koi... Mil Gaya* (2003), the war drama *Lakshya* (2004), and the romance *Veer-Zaara* (2004).