With Unconventional Roles, Preity Zinta Said Salaam Namaste To Iconic Film Fashion
Pretty woman, dekho, dekho na!
I still reminisce that time of Bollywood, which brought some of the best scripts, great music, entertainment and actresses serving some iconic fashion in films from the late 90s to the early 2000s. Specifically, in the era of the former, we lived, loved and admired every big-screen star who played an important role during our childhood. And in the league of Bollywood’s biggest stars from the era was actress–Preity Zinta who added some impeccable roles to her filmography, and dished out some memorable performances. Be it her debut film–Dil Se or her old-school romantic role in Veer Zaara, Preity was not just a pretty woman, but an actress we grew up loving. In her kitty of flavourful roles, what made sure to impress her massive fandom was her unique fashion. From sporty dungarees to maternity wear and Pakistani ghararas, the actress was excellent in every role. Hence, as Preity Zinta celebrates her 48th birthday today, we look back at all her iconic looks from films.
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Dil Se
Marking her debut in the 1998 Shah Rukh Khan-starrer film–Dil Se, the actress played the role of Preeti, who is the second female lead in the film. In the Mani Ratnam-directorial, Preity Zinta bagged her first, and still most iconic song–“Jiya Jale.” With costumes designed by Shabina Khan, Pia Bengal and their teams, Zinta takes the centre stage in traditional dhoti, blouse, adorned with striking gold jewellery. For the special wedding sequence in the film, the actress turned into a South Indian bride, as she gears up to tie the knot with Shah Rukh Khan’s character in the film.
https://youtu.be/aNAIxPaaecs
Soldier
The 1998 film featured Preity Zinta as the leading lady opposite Bobby Deol. Again playing the role of Preeti, after her debut in Dil Se, the actress made some head-turning appearances in vintage scarves, romantic hair curls, beanies, sunglasses and of course our favourite blue coordinated attire from the film’s song “Tera Rang Balle Balle.” Designed by Anna Singh, Preity’s look from the song soon inspired her fans and was often replicated by many, on special occasions. And yes, my mother was one of them, who ran to the tailor to get the same dress stitched.
Groove to #TuesdayTunes with @realpreityzinta and @thedeol's upbeat dance number 'Tera Rang Balle Balle' from the movie #Soldier: https://t.co/Yzmv2aNhl8#PreityZinta #BobbyDeol pic.twitter.com/Fn4KidLGp7
— Tips Films & Music (@tipsofficial) September 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/not__my_name/status/1599471171619409920?s=20&t=3pAKO0A6nINQvhsz_s2tPQ
❤️✨ soldier soldier Best song ✨@realpreityzinta pic.twitter.com/wHggK5Z95k
— Shahbaz Khan Abro (@ShahbazKhanAbr4) May 18, 2021
Kya Kehna
The 2000 film featured Preity Zinta in the role of a pregnant young girl–Priya Bakshi who is left by her lover–Rahul (Saif Ali Khan). Through the many phases of welcoming a child into her life, and the struggles of being a single mother, the actress plays the part with a convincing performance. Through the film, we also watched Zinta wear playful maternity wear, especially mechanic suits (dungarees).
Preity Zinta in Kya Kehna 17 years ago Wooow so cuteee pic.twitter.com/csNR0GglTm
— Lau'ra 💫 ƤZ 🫶 (@Laura4india) May 19, 2017
Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega
The same year, Preity played the role of Janhvi, who is the best friend of Rani Mukerji’s character Pooja in the film. As Rani’s character goes into a coma, her lover–Raj (Salman Khan) falls for her best friend–Janhvi. Apart from the plot, the film shows the best friends Pooja and Janhvi in fashionable looks. Especially in their popular song from the film–“Piya Piya,” which I am still obsessed with. Remember heir matchy-matchy nightwear and those coordinated yellow towels? I still wanna recreate every look from the song with my best friend.
https://youtu.be/QepLdIGErUw
Mission Kashmir
In 2000 again, the actress was welcomed into Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s blockbuster film–Mission Kashmir, opposite Hrithik Roshan. The actress played the role of Sufiya Parvez, a television personality and Hrithik Roshan (Altaaf Khan)’s love interest. One of our favourite songs from the film was Preity playing the Kashmiri girl in the song “Bumbro.” Designed by Neeta Lulla, Preity wore a dreamy, traditional Kashmiri outfit, featuring a sea blue salwar kurta, teamed with Kashmiri Jiggni jewellery featuring a headpiece, and shoulder-grazing earrings. She also painted her palms with traditional henna. The song represents the essence of Kashmiri art, culture and local music.
Preity Zinta in Mission Kashmir (2000). pic.twitter.com/u8r88DQXp0
— ً (@SheethalS5) January 29, 2023
Also Read: Preity Zinta Celebrated 19 Years Of ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ By Sharing Her Fav Scene. And It’s Pretty Much The Best Life Lesson From Aman!
Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
In the 2001 film, Preity takes up the role of Madhubala, who is hired by Raj (Salman Khan) and Priya (Rani Mukerji) as a surrogate mother. An unconventional script from the era, the film was not only a pathbreaking choice made by Zinta but also mints some excellent maternity looks, alongside some hairstyles like accent strands that were reminiscent of the 90s. For a special song in the film with Salman Khan, Zinta took inspiration from Breakfast At Tiffany’s star Audrey Hepburn and whipped up a similar look in a black gown, opera gloves, and hair pulled up into a bun.
One of the gem and iconic song of Salman Khan's Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
Cinematography , Location and the sizzling chemistry of Preity and Salman everything is of top notch 😍👌pic.twitter.com/1oNaZqZivG— 𝕊𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕡🏹 (@ibeingsannsz) November 4, 2022
Who did you like more in Chori Chori Chupke Chupke – Madhu (Preity) or Priya (Rani) ?! ✨ pic.twitter.com/hxPMvISXJb
— . (@SonaliFan) March 15, 2020
Dil Chahta Hai
In the same year, Zinta played the role of Shalini, opposite Aamir Khan and reinvented her onscreen style. For the film, Zinta introduced her fans to the idea of damp hair curls, and basic tank tops, alongside a nerdy aesthetic. Designed by costume designer–Arjun Bhasin, the story about boy best friends, featured Preity in one of her most beautiful looks when she donned the strapless, white sequin gown. The most interesting part of the look in her scene with Aamir Khan, was her choice of body chain, which featured deep maroon pearls, following a cape-like silhouette on her. Shalini really surprised us with that one!
Preity Zinta and her pretty hair in Dil Chahta hai 😍 >>>>>>> pic.twitter.com/XKHa9xCDUm
— Kosha (@imkosha) October 16, 2021
Also Read: Preity Zinta Thanks Hrithik Roshan For Helping With Her Twins On A Long Flight, Calls Him An ‘Amazing And Thoughtful Father’
Kal Ho Na Ho
Every Indian girl with specs suddenly felt seen with Preity’s character Naina in Nikhil Advani’s Kal Ho Na Ho. She played the chashmish introvert who falls in love with Aman (Shah Rukh Khan), and explores the hidden joys of life. For this film, the actress took a less-glamorous approach to style herself, alongside costume designer–Manish Malhotra. But for every special occasion in the film, Naina would often unleash her eye for detail and love for fashion. We still cannot get over her ice blue lehenga from “Mahi Ve,” a signature Manish Malhotra design, and even her drunk self in the v-neck crop top, teamed with zipper pants in “It’s The Time To Disco.”
https://twitter.com/ssamosadealerr_/status/1427412533477052417?s=20&t=3pAKO0A6nINQvhsz_s2tPQ
Lakshya
In the same year, Zinta played a totally opposite character to Naina, in the 2004 film–Lakshya, opposite Hrithik Roshan. Essaying the role of Romila Dutta, an aspiring journalist to finally being one, the actress sports a new look, featuring a short bob. Apart from her impactful performance, the actress experimented with colourful long skirts, jholas and short kurtas throughout the film.
Preity Zinta's portrayal of introvert and vulnerable characters like Naina in 'KHNH', 'Romi' in Lakshya & Shalini in 'Dil chahta hai' are my all time top favorites.! #HappyBirthdayPreityZinta ♥️ @realpreityzinta pic.twitter.com/n7EpVXO959
— 𝘽𝙝𝙖𝙜𝙮𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙧𝙞⚡ (@ibhagyashri10) January 31, 2021
I've always loved the chemistry between Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta.
They make a lovely couple onscreen.
I truly miss their camaraderie and I would love to see both of them doing a special project together.
That would be great.
We want them back.
16 YEARS OF LAKSHYA pic.twitter.com/ZqY1pkIwZq— Iyan Amjad (@IyanAmjad) June 18, 2020
Veer Zaara
Next in 2004, Preity played the classic Yashraj heroine in the romantic drama–Veer Zaara. Playing the Pakistani girl Zaara, Preity collaborated with Manish Malhotra for her elaborate wardrobe of gharara, sharara sets, traditional jewellery, embroidered dupattas and salwar suits. For the time she spends in Punjab with Veer, the actress adapts to the regional culture with Punjabi dhoti and kurtas for a special Lohri celebration and dreamy salwar kameez for songs shot in mustard fields (an iconic location for romance in Hindi films). Preity looked the most beautiful as Zaara in the 2004 film opposite Shah Rukh Khan.
preity in veer zaara will always be so special to me ♡ pic.twitter.com/XDxJcHndjl
— anjali (@lejaamujhe) July 9, 2021
Salaam Namaste
The Siddharth Anand directorial dealt with a unique plot of a couple, who decide to live together, but split up when Ambar(Preity Zinta) gets pregnant with Nikhil(Saif Ali Khan). This unique love story, sees Preity collaborating with co-star Saif Ali Khan, again, as the two turn into the era’s favourite onscreen pair. With costumes by Surily Goel, Mamta Anand and Aarti Patkar, the couple follow an Australian essence in the way they dress up in the film. Especially on Zinta, we saw a gamut of interesting bikini tops teamed with micro skirts, street-style fashion, a lot more colours and newsboy hats. Preity as Amby was one of our favourite street style icons in the 2000s.
saif & preity in salaam namaste <3 this movie was so ahead of its time pic.twitter.com/XogNimDvXi
— d 𓆩♡𓆪 (@enchantingishq) November 30, 2022
obsessed with preity zinta’s outfits from salaam namaste <3 pic.twitter.com/aagT8G7CjL
— mehr (@diorgirl444) August 9, 2022
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
The Karan Johar film about love and infidelity features Preity amongst an ensemble cast including–Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek and Amitabh Bachchan. Zinta’s character Rhea Sareen as the successful fashion magazine editor plays an impactful role in terms of style as well. With costumes designed by Manish Malhotra, Zinta gave equal competition to Rani’s spring-hued sarees in the film. From experimenting with monochrome cutouts to metallic micro skirts and hot pink bodysuits and trench coats, Preity as Rhea Sareen owned my dream wardrobe in the film. In many ways, the 2006 film not only shifted Bollywood’s lens towards more meaty character storylines and unconventional plots of romance but also brought a new wave of fashion trends in both ethnic and western wear.
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, a great movie by Karan Johar. Abhi, Preity, Rani and SRK are awesome :D pic.twitter.com/QQmdzpcwFi
— Bollywood France (@FRBolly) May 3, 2013
Wishing the OG pretty woman, a very happy birthday!
First Published: January 31, 2023 5:27 PM
