Friday, September 25, 2009

LG demos super-contrast ratio TV Remember when TVs with 2,000,000:1 contrast ratios and 200Hz frame rates impressed you? Well, LG’s latest telly blows those specifications out of the water.

LG's TV has a billion-to-one contrast ratio
The PQ60D set has just been unveiled by the firm in Korea and it not only boasts an unbelievable 1,000,000,000:1 contrast ratio, but has a 600Hz frame refresh rate too.
LG claimed that the set’s physical design has been crafted to ensure that the screen looks superb hanging on your wall. This has been achieved by hiding the integrated speakers from view and by keeping the set’s thickness down - probably by putting the tuner in a separate box.
A sensor built into the telly also helps adjust the screen’s brightness according to surrounding ambient light levels, which LG claimed can reduce the set’s power consumption by up to 60 per cent.
Elsewhere, you’ll find four HDMI ports for plugging in your PlayStation 3, for example, and a USB port through which a Flash drive chocked full with pictures of you buying the set can be connected.
LG’s PQ60D TV will be available in 42in and 50in screen sizes. Plans to bring the set to the UK haven’t been announced yet
L G 32LG 5000 32in LCD TV Review So this year LG claims it’s determined to claw its way back towards parity with its neighbour thanks to a new range of TVs that look set to deliver a truly killer combination of feature choice, opulent looks, high performance standards and strikingly affordable prices.
We’ve already seen LG get off to a fine start in realising this dream with the impressive 50PG6000 50in plasma TV. But now it’s time to see how the ambition holds up with a shift to LCD technology and a step down one rung of LG’s TV range ladder, in the shape of the 32in 32LG5000.
First impressions are very promising. For despite residing in the lower reaches of LG’s latest TV range, it still looks a million dollars in its high gloss black finish, offset by a little silver trim and tastefully accented power light.
We’re probably bound to say given how we opened this review that the 32LG5000’s looks aren’t quite as profoundly attractive as those of Samsung’s new rose-tinted A656 range. But they’re still a definite embellishment to any room they appear in. Plus, of course, with the 32LG5000 only costing under £550, these luscious looks can be yours for substantially less cash than you’ll need for the A656 range.
It’s also a pleasant surprise given the lowness of the 32LG5000’s price to discover that it sports three HDMI inputs all built to the latest v1.3 specification. This means they’re can all receive Deep Color from any sources that can deliver the picture-boosting format.

Anyone who has seen the Lamborghini Cars Reventon or the Aston Martin DBS knows that unmistakable feeling. It’s the thrill & the allure of the exotic sports car, overhauled & updated for the 21st century. Since their inception, sports cars have continually pushed the boundaries of both engineering & art. These are the cars that exemplify speed, power and beauty.

Alfa Romeo is the Grandfather of Exotic Sports Cars. Alfa Romeo is first began producing race cars in Milan, Italy in 1910. Their first endeavor, the HP 24, turned some heads with its superior speed and handling. Chief Designer Giuseppe Merosi worked on all Alfa Romeo models from 1910 to 1923. When Merosi retired, race car driver Enzo Ferrari persuaded Vittorio Jano to leave Fiat and take over Merosi’s work.

In 1925, Alfa Romeo unveiled the P2 Grand Prix Car, Jano’s first car with Romeo and widely considered the first “supercar.” The P2 was powered by a straight-8 cylinder supercharged engine, and placed first in 14 Grand Pix races between 1924 and 1930. Today, the P2 Grand Prix is considered one of the most rarified of the collectible antique cars, with less than a dozen still intact.

Cheap used cars for sale

Ferrari car is popular for it’s high Performance Luxury Cars

After racing Alfa Romeos in the 1920’s & 30’s, Enzo Ferrari decided that he wanted to build his own racecars. He prototyped a few models in the 1940’s, but it wasn’t until after World War II that he found success. Notably, Ferrari’s exotic sports cars took first place in the Formula 1. World Championships, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Sportscar Championships throughout the 1950’s. In 1954, Alfa-Romeo had experimented with its first front-wheel drive compact car named “33″

Ferrari’s Gran Turismo series remains its most successful lines, with the 2007 599 GTB Fiorano bringing even more luxury and innovation to the table. Patrons of the Ferrari Club of America cite performance as the primary reason for purchasing a Ferrari over other collectible cars.

Lamborghini : Exotic Sports Cars for a New Generation. Ferruccio Lamborghini had a successful business building tractors in Italy before his eyes turned to the exotic sports car. And it wasn’t a love for performance that stirred his fire, but a disdain for Enzo Ferrari.

According to Lamborghini’s family, Ferruccio purchased a Ferrari 250 GT in the early 1960’s and was unhappy with the handling & response of the clutch. He brought it into Ferrari’s factory and met with Enzo Ferrari to voice his concerns. Ferrari was immediately upset with Lamborghini’s complaints so he mocked Lamborghini and sent him away. Lamborghini went home, dismantled the car and discovered that the clutches installed in Ferraris were from the same manufacturers he used for his tractors. He installed a new clutch and vowed to create a higher-quality, luxury sports car than Ferrari.

World Largest Fountain In Dubai

Have you ever noticed that Dubai is all things big and rich and super? These people have and want to have everything the best and the newest: Palm Islands, the Burj al Arab hotel, the second Louvre … And now they are ready to create 25 percent larger masterpiece than the iconic fountains at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.

Dubai Will Have World’s Largest Fountain

The project will be held by Dubai’s prominent developer, Emaar Properties and the fountains currently will be the largest in the world. The fountains have no name so far but the whole world already knows that they will be capable of shooting water over 150 metres into the air, the height of a 50 storey building, and stretch over 275 metres!!! Frankly speaking, one of the biggest projects ever.

Dubai Will Have World’s Largest Fountain

Sometimes it sees to me that this country has only money and no creativity. They still everything they like and make it a bit bigger in order to make the headlines. The state is going to spend $218 millions!!! The fountains will shoot 22,000 gallons of water in the air at any given moment and by the way, you can win a cash prize of $27,225 if you are creative enough to invent the best name to these fountains. The structure is scheduled to be operation by 2009. And I just wonder, whether poor tourists will have enough time to enjoy the whole attractions of Dubai?

Menton is located on the Franco-Italian border, within the confines of the Côte d’Azur and the Ligurian Alps. It boasts a warm micro-climate favorable to lemon, tangerine, and orange groves.

The fishing industry was devastated in the 1980s and 1990s when the “killer algae” Caulerpa taxifolia spread throughout the coastal sea floor, greatly reducing local fish populations.


Orangery Festival in the Netherlands11 Menton Lemon Festival

Orangery Festival in the Netherlands21 Menton Lemon Festival

Menton’s February carnival festival of lemons, annually since the end of the 19th century and still exciting and fun, with a 2009 theme of Music of the World. The 3-week event has a daily Citrus Exposition, parades on Sundays, Corsos Nocturnes with fireworks on Thursday nights, and Jardins de lumières on Fridays.

The idea is citrus, the colors are yellow and orange, and the mood is festive. Menton, tucked along the coast next to Italy, becomes more animated than usual the second half of every February with the Fête du Citron.


Orangery Festival in the Netherlands3 Menton Lemon Festival


Every day of the festival period the Jardin Biovès in the center of town hosts the Expositions d’agrumes (Citrus Expositions). The normally open Jardin Biovès is walled off for the festival and an entrance fee (€9 in 2009) is required. The long, narrow garden is full of large, intricate creations, somewhat like static parade floats built mainly from citrus fruits.

Beyond was there for opening day in 2009, with the annual theme Musiques du Monde (Music of the World). Separate displays depicted classical, African, Polka and Tango. The appropriate music plays in the vicinity of each display, and some types of music enticed the slowly wandering visitors to spontaniously dance along with the music.

Orangery Festival in the Netherlands6 Menton Lemon Festival

The French Can-Can being played by the large yellow Moulin Rouge was popular, and a favorite place for having one’s photos taken in front of. In our casual analysis, the Rock and Roll exhibit of a large jukebox wasn’t that great, but the music was the most popular for spontaneous dancing along.

Not quite static, the artistic creations of lemons and oranges included rotating windmill blades for the Moulin Rouge and a turning paddle wheel in real water for the Dixieland steamboat.

The Expositions d’agrumes had a few stands selling local citrus-based products and refreshments.The Corsos des fruits d’or (the Parade of Golden Fruits) are held on a route through the town every Sunday, early afternoon. Tribunes, both along the seaside and on the inside streets, are available, or you can stand with the crowds and try to get a look.

Corsos nocturnes (Night parades) are held on two of the Thursday nights, including the parade, dancers and terminating with fireworks.

Jardins de lumières (Gardens of Light). On the Thursday nights of the festival, the expostion inside the Jardin Biovès is lighted and animated with dancers.

All of the events have their price, including the Expositions d’Agrumes in the Jardin Biovès. Tickets are available for entry into the Jardin at the garden. Tickets for all the events are available at the Office de Tourisme, located a couple of blocks up Ave Boyer, along the eastern side of the Jardin Biovès.

Mehek teri aj bhi meri sanso main he,
har ek ada teri meri ankhon main hai,
to bhale mita de apne dil se mera naam,
magar teri jaga aj bhi meray dil main hai.
Dil Hi Dil Mein Hum Tumhain Pyar Bahot Krtey Hain
Lekin Saach Hai K Bataney Se Bahot Dartey Hain

Khud Pe To Hai Yaqin Saanson Pe Magar Nahi.
Moat Se Nahi Aey "Khushi" Zindagi Se Hum Dartey Hain
Samsung SGH-F330Samsung has already launched a whole heap of mobile phones this year, and while most of the handsets it had on display at IFA in Berlin today saw light of day way back at 3GSM in March, one phone did catch our eye.Say hello to the SGH-F330 music phone, a slider with cool white styling and a dedicated music-key cluster that's almost iPod-like in its clean lines. It has 1GB of on-board song storage - there's a Micro SD card slot for more - and a radio for when you tire of your own tunes. It'll play MPEG 4 video on its 2.1in, 240 x 320, 262,144-colour display too.It's a 3G phone - the hard-to-see front-facing video call camera's in the top right of the picture - and has 3.6Mbps HSDPA download technology on board too. There's a two-megapixel camera on the back. It should come as no great surprise that the F330 is fitted out with Bluetooth and wireless stereo support.
MOTOROLA ROKR Z6

Motorola ROKR Z6
General
Network
GSM 850 / GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900
Announced
2007, January
Status
Available
Size
Dimensions
105 x 45 x 16.2 mm, 69 cc
Weight
105 g
Display
Type
TFT, 256K colors
Size
240 x 320 pixels, 31 x 42 mm
- Screensavers and wallpapers- Downloadable logos
Ringtones
Type
Polyphonic, MP3, AAC
Customization
Download
Vibration
Yes
Memory
Phonebook
1000 entries, Photocall
Call records
20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls
Card slot
microSD (TransFlash), buy memory
64 MB internal memory
Data
GPRS
Class 12 (4+1/3+2/2+3/1+4 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
HSCSD
No
EDGE
Class 12
3G
No
WLAN
No
Bluetooth
Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
Infrared port
No
USB
Yes, v2.0, miniUSB
Features
OS
Linux - based
Messaging
SMS, EMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
Browser
WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (Opera 8.5)
Games
Yes
Colors
Black
Camera
2 MP, 1600x1200 pixels, video(QCIF), flash
- Java MIDP 2.0- MP3/AAC/AAC+ player- T9- Organizer- Calculator- Built-in handsfree- Voice dial- Voice memo
Battery
Standard battery, Li-Ion 720 mAh (BC50)
Stand-by
Up to 400 h
Talk time
Up to 7 h
The bar design version of the Nokia 6500 slide handset targeting the business sector is called Nokia 6500 classic and is a more stylish mobile phone model measuring just 9.5 mm thick, with a housing made of anodized aluminum.
It is available in stores at a lower price than the slider, which was released a month before, and features a built-in 2MP digital camera for high-quality pictures and video recording on the go. It films at a resolution of 176 × 144 pixels and captures images at up to 1600x1200 pixels using flash light during low light conditions.The image you see is taken at the camera phone’s maximum resolution.

You can use it for listening to the music, watching videos, talk to anyone in this world handsfree for up to 5 hours and 30 minutes, download files and browse the web at high speeds thanks to the 3G 384 kbps connectivity, stream your funny videos, compose emails with attachments, play action Java games, send voice clips over the air with the Audio Messaging Service, write to-do lists, personalize the phone with cool backgrounds, make commands using your own voice, or just leave it in standby mode for up to 9 days, when you’re not in the mood for calls.

BENQ V2400W 24"LCD MONITOR

BenQ V2400W LCD Monitor Detail

BenQ have introduced their new BenQ V2400W 24” LCD Monitor which, apart from being billed as ‘the world’s thinnest 24” LCD Monitor’ is apparently inspired by the likes of the Northrop B2 Spirit stealth bomber though, in all honestly, we find it hard (if not impossible) to draw any comparisons with a flat screen monitor and the fluid stealthy form of the Spirit.

Not withstanding the distinct possibility that BenQ’s V2400W may well return a far greater radar cross section than the B2 its purportedly inspired by and the fact that the V2400W sports a form hardly comparable with that of a flying wing this is certainly a fine looking device.

BenQ V2400W LCD Monitor with B2

Measuring in at a mere 2.44” in thickness it its thickest point, the V2400W is said to be more than 21% slimmer than the previously thinnest (unspecified) monitor and, of the scant details so far released by BenQ concerning the ‘streamlined’ V2400W, is detailed as sporting a 4000:1 dynamic contrast ratio LCD with an impressive 2ms response time, a touch control panel and HDMI, DVI and VGA inputs.

We await full specifications concerning the V2400W with great interest though, at this juncture, and in mind of the fact that information concerning the V2400W appears to be held so closely to BenQ’s collective chest, we are beginning to wonder whether it is indeed the V2400W’s form that’s equitable to that of the B2 or whether its rather more to do with the level of secrecy that surrounds its actual capabilities.

For those interested in BenQ’s official press release concerning their up and coming V2400W LCD monitor, which is very much a case of style over substance, here it is:

The BenQV2400W’s streamlined curve is made possible by advanced Rapid Heat Cycle Molding (RHCM) Injection Technology which enables new shapes and designs to be molded beyond the traditional boxiness. BenQ V2400W measures 563.8×369.4×191.7 and weighs 6.7 KG only.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN, March 10, 2008 – With the release of its new V2400W premium LCD display, BenQ not only debuts the world’s slimmest 24″ widescreen LCD monitor, but creates a new lifestyle trend in computer hardware design that targets the sophisticated, stylish consumer. The V2400W, in fact, recently received the internationally-renowned iF Design Award, a prestigious and coveted recognition of outstanding design that is vied for by the world’s most elite companies.

Combining unexpected asymmetry and the aerodynamic curves of the B-2 stealth bomber, the V2400W is the world’s first glimpse into BenQ’s newly evolved Kinergy Design. This unique blend of dynamic energy, kinetic beauty and unconventional perspective elevates technology beyond the utilitarian to opulent art that expresses personal taste, social identity and lifestyle enjoyment. Even with high-end technology including a 4000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio, new RHCM injection process and full 1080p HD support, the V2400W’s technical features are secondary to the product’s visually arresting design.

Computer Hardware: The Newest Art Form

The BenQ brand has long stood for innovation in design and technology with products engineered for superior performance and optimum lifestyle enhancement. The new V2400W takes that reputation, company mission and industry as a whole one step further – creating a new level of consumer expectation and desire where technology becomes more than utility, but art that symbolizes beauty, elegance, personality and luxury. The V2400W’s streamlined curve is made possible by advanced Rapid Heat Cycle Molding (RHCM) Injection Technology which enables new shapes and designs to be molded beyond the traditional boxiness. In addition to unlocking imagination in design, this high-end tooling also delivers casing that is smoother, stronger and more solid.

“The V2400W is inspired by the B2 stealth bomber, evoking a sense of mystery, awe and the elite” said Manfred Wang, Director of the BenQ Lifestyle Design Center.

“In addition, the display’s asymmetry exemplifies our new design philosophy,” continued Wang. “One is captivated by its suspended energy, expecting the screen to tilt. But it stands still, as if time were frozen and the movement paused.”

Torque and friction between the metallic parts of the hinge were precisely calculated so that the right-sided stand can safely support the 24″ widescreen and also provide the flexibility to adjust viewing angles. An overall mirror-black finish highlights the monitor’s premium status.

Exquisitely slim, the V2400W is only 2.44 inches at its thickest point, making it the world’s thinnest 24″ widescreen LCD – more than 21% slimmer than the next thinnest LCD monitor…even at the V2400W’s thickest point. A subtle blue LED and slick touch controls elegantly accent the V2400W.

Advanced Technologies

Positioned as a premium luxury-lifestyle product, the V2400W performs accordingly. HDMI with HDCP, DVI-D and VGA inputs offer future-proof high-definition connectivity as well as compatibility. BenQ’s proprietary Senseye+photo™ Human Vision Technology provides vividly realistic, true-to-life colors. Five preset modes – Dynamic, Photo, Standard, Movie and sRGB – simplify optimized viewing at the touch of a button. The V2400W is also NSTL-compliant for superior color precision consistent from monitor to printer to digital camera to any visual device. The V2400W’s exceptional 4000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio additionally intensifies black to new levels, revealing even the subtlest dark details in extraordinary clarity and precision. And for displaying video in crisp, clean detail free of blur and ghosting, the V2400W incorporates Ben Q Advanced Motion Accelerator Technology (AMA) for super-fast 2ms GTG response time.

The V2400W is available end of March in China and Asia; and available April in Europe and N. America.

Roof Mount LCD Monitor with DVD (ESD-F1020)

Product Description

10.2" Flip down TFT LCD monitor Built-in DVD/MPEG4/DIVX
* DSV DVD LOADER
1. Screen Size: 10.2"( 16: 9)
2. Resolution: 640(w)*(RGB)*480(H)
3. System: PAL/NTSC
4. 2Video and2Audio (dual track) input
5. 1Video and 1Audio (dual track)output
6. Built-in DVD Player
7. Built-in IR transmitter (2CH)
8. Built -in FM transmitter
9. Built-in TV tuner(optional)
10. Built-in Dome Light
11. 360Degrees Rotation Format: DVD/VCD/DVCD/MP3/MP4
12. Operation: Remote control and Keystroke

Dell Inspiron 1525 stim laptop co,puter

Dell Inspiron 1525 Slim Laptop Computer powered by Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo Processor T5550 and Chipset Intel® 965GM Chipset is one of the most powerful laptops available in Indian Market. Dell sell this power packed devices loaded with Genuine Windows Vista home Premium is a wonderful combination of sleek powerful multimedia computing experience.
With 15.4 inch Widescreen WXGA (1280x800) TFT Display, 160GB 25400RPM SATA Hard Drive and 2GB Dual-channel 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM are features that is available with high end laptops. Now Dell has stuffed all these advanced features in their low coat economical laptop computer. Yes the dream laptop is more affordable and handy for you.
This beutiful laptop is available at around Rs. 35,000.00 (Lus Taxes) in India direct from Dell. And this same product cost around US $ 600.00 in United States
ultra-portable consumer notebook "Aspire 2920" in India.

Acer, one of the world's top 3 branded PC vendors, has announced the availability of its latest laptop name Aspire 2920 in the Indian market.

The laptop christened “Aspire 2920" is part of the Gemstone series, and sports a Ceramic-finish Pearl Grey interior along with a holographic Satin-finish cover.

The notebook is powered by Intel Core 2 Duo mobile processor T9300, and developed especially for professionals and women as it offers high performance mobility. The machine supports mobile GM965 Express chipset and Wireless WiFi Link, Bluetooth network solution.

It features a 12.1-inches WXGA Crystal Brite TFT LCD display, 160GB HDD, 2GB RAM, Web cam, and DVD writer. The laptop has battery life of up to three-and-a-half hours. The user can also choose optimum settings to extend battery time with Acer's ePowerManagement feature.

The 2920 bristles with ports for its size: three USB ports, one Express Card 54, SD/xD/MS card reader, S-video and VGA out.

The newly launched machine also supports a dual independent display, giving users a choice to use both Linux and Vista Home Premium operating systems.

By viewing the features of notebook, it is anticipated that it is ideal for Home users looking for the best value in enhanced entertainment performance, digital home connectivity and multimedia management.

The notebook is available in major cities across the country with the Linux model priced at Rs 37,115 and the Vista Home Premium model available for Rs 40,615. Both the prices do not include taxes and traveling bag cost.

Interior Decoration of Home Decor is the art of decorating a room in order to make it great to look at and easy to use with the existing frame of the room. The goal of the successful interior design is to give the home owner a look for the room that reflects their personality. Interior decoration uses things like paintings, paint, wall paper, light fixtures, floor plans, curtains and carpets. They base the whole design on the room itself.Most interior decorated rooms are based on themes. Some people like Louis XV, some like the Victorian era and then there are those that like the art deco designs. Each style depends on what the home owner likes. When you hire an interior decorator, some of them charge per room. So if you are looking for multiple room, some may give you a break on the price so before you decide on one person shop around. Every interior decorator has different idea and you may find you like one designer better than the other.When you decide to go with an interior designer, make sure that you have some idea of what you want. Some designers come in with their own ideas and they end up creating a room based on their vision not yours and then you end up hating the style and either you end up with a look you like or you end up in court. Always have a design style, if you like contemporary then look on the internet and see what different styles you like and then as you are interviewing decorators show them what you want and make sure they have the means to get you what you want.There are so many different ways to decorate your home. If you don?t want the whole kit and caboodle then you can have some one come in a design a simple room with paint and carpeting and maybe some art for the room. You can find out exactly what services are offered and then go from there. Make sure the company you are dealing with is reputable. Ask to see some designs that have done for other people.Once you have commissioned a interior decorator you make sure you have a contract and that the contract lists everything that you want so once the job is completed that there is no questions to what was supposed to be done. Unfortunately there are many small claims cases based on that very thing. Get everything in writing and always get a receipt. Never give cash without getting a detailed receipt for what the cash was given for.



You may not recognize how important decorating a room is, but the decor can say a lot about a person to anyone who is paying careful attention. The manner in which we design our rooms can and does often indicate the things we like and dislike, and also gives a certain indication of our general character. For those with a practical sense, this characterization will show up in the efficiency of their cabinets and storage in the basement or kitchen. On the other hand, individuals who put in constant days of hard work will likely find themselves decorating their post-work lounge areas in soft neutral tones to help them relax.
Satin sheets and a red color theme in a bedroom will also give insights into a character, though likely a side that few people will see. That’s a good tip for determining the decor for our homes - have different plans for public versus private areas. You might decide to have a party, for example, and won’t you want to have definite separate between private areas and the areas open to the attendees?
It is true that bedrooms are the type of area that is not going to be seen by too many people, and therefore, the home owner typically wants to dedicate a good deal of extravagance on the areas in question. When picking your floor decor, much will depend on how many people travel across your floor daily. As with other types of home decoration, the colors, types, and quality put into the home’s floor can give important clues to the characterization of the individual. Wool carpets are great for the bedroom, but a hard laminate is better for the hallways.
The accessories you choose will also give big tips in what kind of decor you choose. Lighting is a definite tool that should be used to your advantage, as they invariably affect how the room is perceived. A tool that you might want to use is the spotlight, which can either be used to give a nice warm glow, or light areas that truly need it. In addition, you might wish to use this method to take care of decorating the rest of your home.
Tussi ki o?
Punjabi o ya pathan o
.
Pepsi o ya sezan o
.
Angle o ya insan o
.
roti o ya naan o
.
police o ya don o
.
Kamzor o ya pehlwan o
.
Chana o ya dhan o
.
tussi jo v o tussi sadi jaan o.
Un k andaz-e-Karam un pe woh aana DIL ka
Hai woh waqt, woh baatein, woh zamana DIL ka

Naa suna uss ne tawajo se fasana DIL ka
Umar guzri par dard na jana DIL ka

Dil Lagi, Dil ki lagi ban k mita daiti hai
Rog dushman ko bi ya Rub, Naa Lagana Dil ka

Woh bi apna na hoye Dil bi gaya hathon se
Aise aane se tou behtar hai na aana Dil ka

Un ki Mehfil mein "AAMIR JE" un k tabassum ki Qasam
Hum daikte Reh gaye haath se jana DIL ka
ab tere mere bich zara fasla bhi ho,
hum log jab milain tu koi dosra b ho,

tu janta nahi meri chahat ajeeb hy
mujh ko mana raha hy kbi khub khafa b ho,

tu bewafa nhi magar bewafai kr
us ki nazar main rehny ka kuch sila b ho,

pat jhar k tote hoye pataon k sath sath
musam kabhi tu badlay ga yeh asra bhi ho,

chup chap us ko beth k dekhon tamam raat
jaga hoa b ho koi soya hoa bhi ho,

su k liye tu main nay yahan tak duwain ki,
meri tarhan say usay koi chahata bhi ho.......!!!
Dil mein hai wafa ki talab, lab pe sawaal bhi nahin,
Hum hein Hisar-e-dard mein, us ko khayaal bhi nahin,

Woh jo Ana-parast hai, mein bhi Wafa parast hoon,
Uska jawaab bhi nahin, meri misaal bhi nahin,

Usko zabaan de chukay, dil ka jahaan de chukay,
Ehd-e-wafa ko torna apni majaal bhi nahin.
Ajab shaam khari hai kahen se aa jao

Bari udas ghari hai kahen se aa jao

Kisi se milna aur mil k bichar jana

Saza ye itni bari hai kahen se aa jao

Bara kathan hai ye hijr ka mosam

Judai bol pari hai kahen se aa jao

Zmana jise smjhta ha moteon ki chamak

Wo aansuon ki larri ha kahen se aa jao

funny-pictures-bear-secrets.jpg

A few of you have called the tip line to let us know you're having trouble with a couple things. Our tech team is on it, but in the meantime, here's what's going on.

Comments

Question: "how come sometimes your comments link includes the number of comments, and sometimes it just says '(view comments)'? much prefer the number, so i can see if stuff has been added since my last visit."

Answer: There's no definitive answer to this question, but I do have some quick thoughts.

— If you use Firefox, you should always see the number of comments versus "(view comments)". If you don't, click refresh and that should take care of it.

— Internet Explorer and Safari tend to display "(view comments)" only.

Anonymous Tips

Question: "sometimes when I try to send an anonymous tip, it says i entered the code wrong. wtf?"

Answer: First off, we added the code thing because we were getting spammed up the whazoo, and that was annoying. Literally, thousands of e-mails pimping all sorts of unsavory wares were coming in. Yet again, there a few solutions to the code problem.

— We promise not to identify you in a story. I know it's scary to e-mail us, but if you have something to share, e-mail us if the tips box isn't working. agencyspy at mediabistro dot com.

— Set up a fake e-mail account on gmail. It takes a few seconds.

— Call the anon tips line at 212-547-7935.

— Try the anon tips box in a different browser. Again, FireFox seems to be best optimized for us.

— If you are viewing stories by clicking on categories (you'll know if you're doing this because the URL will read like this (ie for Op Eds) mediabistro.com/agencyspy/opeds/. This view returns "(view comments)" rather than the number of comments.

Our tech team is working out the bugs, so keep sharing your secrets. You're safe with us. When was the last time we outed a source? Exactly.

Pink roses are commonly presented as gifts and lovingly grown by gardeners alike. Pink roses can mean quite a variety of things from “thank you for your assistance” to “I’m thinking of you.” Pink roses like yellow are the perfect gift for just about anyone. You can choose darker pink for someone with a wild outgoing personality and pale pink for a gift recipient who is shy or calm and collected.
Orange roses could be considered to have a similar meaning as yellow roses. They can also represent excitement or something new. If you’re starting a new chapter in your life or embarking on an exciting adventure with someone special orange roses could be an excellent gift giving choice.


Blue roses The blue rose does not occur in nature, at least not the absolute blue rose. Blue roses were at first created by dyeing white roses. Some people mistake lavender roses for blue ones. So, the closest we can get to blue roses are the lilac to almost black category. Roses lack the pigment that produces blue color. The blue rose has been painstakingly created and imbued with a special meaning.

Much like its mysterious origin, the blue rose means mystery. An appreciation for the enigmatic, the inexplicable is expressed by the blue rose. A tantalizing vision that cannot be totally pinned down, a mystery that cannot be fully unraveled is the blue rose. A person who receives the blue rose is the subject of much speculation and thought. A complex personality that does not allow easy interpretation is what the blue



One summer early in the Wattle Woods history I dug out some old roses from a friend's garden and moved them into the country. This red rose came with hardly any roots - yet it has survived!

Shifting in Summer

I shifted two car loads of plants that hot summer's day - Hostas (my very first plants), Ajuga, Ligularias, Rhododendrons and Peonies, as well as two tall, old rose bushes. My friend thought the red rose was a tea rose but didn't know its name.

I wasn't at all sure the rose would survive - or indeed any of my new plants. They were coming from a shady, moist garden in the city to the hot dry winds and sandy soil of the Moosey garden. And moving gardens during the very middle week of summer is a risky business for any plant.

Survivors

Well, all the plants did survive - helped by some inspired watering and winter-style pruning - and the power of positive thought. Plus a lot of beginner's luck!

Thanks, Judith Ann, for your contributions to the Moosey garden. Your favourite old red rose is still flowering, as beautiful as ever.

Footnote

The garden area which Judith Ann's lovely plants were moved into became known (and is still known) as the JAM garden.

Rosalba

white-rose1I am infatuated with Rosalba. She’s floral (meaning “white rose”), lush, yet not overly frilly and feminine. The ‘-ba’ ending is so unusual and kicky, and even slightly sultry. Along with Rosalind she’s my favorite of the Rose names. I’ve got some combinations for her; one relatively old, and six new creations.

Rosalba Melantho- Ah! I want to break out in song when I see or say her. So utterly lush, she’s like dark chocolate ganache cake with raspberries. I’ve had her on my short list for a month or two, and I’m liking her. Melantho may sound sinister, as she was a very minor villain in The Odyssey, but I don’t think most will make the connection. Nontrendy girls’ “O” endings are so hard to come by! Melantho is possibly for one of my mother’s best friends, Melanie, who is very kind to us. Another thing I just noticed- the names are slightly

Rosalba Ursuline- Is this taking the villain thing to far, with Ursula the Sea Witch? Even without the connection she may be a little dark for a girl to carry, but she’s graceful and pretty to look at.

Rosalba Valentine- She does look very cutesy, and the only significant connection I have to Valentine other than her sound is the character from Ender’s Game. *Blushes at blatant geekiness* Too much?

Rosalba Georgianne- Significantly lighter than the previous three, Georgianne reminds me of Jane Austen and the countryside (I think this is because of Mr. Darcy’s sister, Georgiana).

Rosalba Leonore- Leonore is for my grandma Nora, which has more meaning than nearly all of my other combinations here. Leonore reminds me of Poe’s Lenore, a bit broodin. She’s also a little medieval; I think castles and chivalry and the like!

Rosalba Constance- Here, Constance does what she appears to be- constant and stabilizes Rosalba. Another slightly medieval one, she’s really cool too. Constance was the mother of King Frederick II Hohenstaufen, whom she left with Pope Innocent III for his own protection. Minor character in history, yes, but as we learn more in Ancient Civ I’m finding a greater appreciation for some of these names!

Rosalba Julianne- Everyone will agree with me when I say this is the most “normal” and mainstream of the options. Julianne is my auntie’s name, so I think it would be great to include her in there. Perhaps too mundane?

AGFAPHOTO DV-5000G COMPACT DIGITAL CAMCORDERAgfaPhoto DV-5000G Compact Digital Camcorder

Sporting a five megapixel resolution CMOS sensor, AgfaPhoto’s new DV-5000G compact camcorder seems to be caught in the highly competitive middle ground between the likes of the Flip Camcorder, Sony’s Net Sharing Camcorder and compact, heavy weight hitters such as Sanyo’s Xacti HD – can the fact that this camcorder also serves as a portable games console serve to distinguish it from the competition?

From our perspective at least, we cannot help but wonder quite where AgfaPhoto are coming from. On paper it may sound like a good idea to integrate games console capabilities (focused around 20 classic games such as Tetris and Black Jack) into a compact digital camcorder but, in reality, we would much have preferred AgfaPhoto to have focused on this device’s capabilities as a camcorder – such as taking a leaf out of the Flip’s book and making video transfer to YouTube a breeze.

And, again, on paper it may have seemed like a good idea to include MP3 and AVI player capabilities but, let’s be honest here, you more than probably already have a dedicated PMP (or, at the very least, an MP3 player) so why would you want a compact camcorder to offer this functionality?

AgfaPhoto DV-5000G

In fairness, however, not withstanding the rather curious and wholly supplemental abilities detailed above, the AgfaPhoto DV-5000G is not a bad compact camcorder, it’s just that it’s not especially inspiring either – or, to put it more succinctly, as far as we are concerned, it seemingly lacks that all important ‘wow’ factor.

Based on a five megapixel CMOS sensor which is capable of bolstering its resolution to 11 megapixels with interpolation, AgfaPhoto’s DV-5000G can also serve as a stills camera and, oddly, a movement sensing webcam, and offers a not especially impressive 8X digital zoom, 720 x 480 resolution video capture in either D1 or VGA formats and a fold out 3” 960 x 240 LCD display with storage provided courtesy of 64MB of internal memory which can be supplemented with SD or SDHC memory cards.

Due to be released later this year – though,at the time of writing, an exact release date has not been specified – AgfaPhoto’s DV-5000G Compact Digital will retail for around $26

Rca Small Wonder Digital Camcorder

Rca Small Wonder Digital Camcorder
One of my favorite toys at CES this year is the RCA Small Wonder, a digital camcorder which is "EZ," to quote the packaging. With this "point-and-shoot" MPEG-4 digital camcorder, there are no tapes or discs to buy, and the device runs on standard AA batteries, meaning that you won't be trying to shoot a family milestone and realize you forgot to charge the battery. At 60 minutes of standard-quality recording time (30 minutes of high-quality video), you're not going to run out of time, either.

The lovely "booth babe" (though they prefer to be called model spokespersons, thanks very much) let me record her demo-ing the product and then plug it into the computer through the built -in USB port arm and instantly e-mail to my editor, Hoyun, who probably wondered what the hell she was watching.

Keeping the younger market , ie children, they've made it as easy as turning on the power button and pressing the red "record" button. You can play back clips on the camcorder's 1.5-inch LCD screen, and unwanted clips can be deleted with the touch of the "delete" button. The EZ105 connects directly to a TV set for immediate viewing, for example when you've got the grandparents visiting. Best yet, there's no software to install (software is built into the camera itself.) At $129, they are going to sell a lot of these.........

DXG-506V Digital Camcorder



DXG USA Sees Another Hit This Holiday Season with New 506V Tapeless Camcorder / Digital Camera / MP3 Player; Low-Cost Digital Camcorder Makes Transferring Video and Photos to Your Computer Easier Than Ever CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 9, 2005--DXG USA, one of the fastest growing digital camera manufacturers in the United States, today announced its latest trend-setting digital camcorder for entry-level enthusiasts. The new DXG-506V digital camcorder combines an MPEG-4 video camcorder, 5.1-megapixel digital still camera, MP3 player, voice recorder and PC camera -- all in one device about the size of a bar of soap. The DXG-506V is already heavily pre-ordered and will be available for shipping in late November.

The DXG-506V is the newest generation of the extremely popular DXG-305V, which has sold over 160,000 units since February. In contrast to the 305V, the 506V sports a much larger 5.1 megapixel sensor, a larger LCD screen, the ability to take full-motion VGA (640x480) video and the ability to record in AVI, MOV and ASF formats. "The DXG-506V addresses one of the hottest imaging trends right now, which is having a single device that captures full-motion video as well as high-resolution photos," said Jeff Hansen, Director of Marketing for DXG USA. "And unlike MiniDV(R) camcorders, the DXG-506V makes it incredibly easy to transfer video files to a computer for emailing or editing by simply removing the SD card and inserting it into a computer. Couple that ease-of-use with a design small enough to fit it in the back pocket of your jeans, and you can understand why this camera is attracting so much interest." As a digital camcorder, the DXG-506V utilizes the latest MPEG-4 video compression technology and allows users to record in multiple formats for playback on a computer or TV. The DXG-506V includes an expandable SD card slot for up to two hours of video recording with a 2GB SD card. As a digital camera, the DXG-506V can provide high-resolution 5.1-megapixel digital still photos suitable for prints up to 13x19 inches. The camera also offers a flash, macro function and Direct Print capability. The DXG-506V's voice recorder is ideal for college students recording classroom lectures or personal reminders. The voice recorder allows the 506V to record over 24 hours of audio on one SD card -- 25 times the amount of a typical cassette recorder. For those who want to listen to music, the 506V's MP3 player allows users to listen to up 40 hours of music with a 2GB SD card. And for those wishing to videoconference with friends or remote relatives, the DXG-506V can be quickly connected to a computer for video conferencing over the Internet. The DXG-506V provides 12 white balance settings and 4 still image settings (1MP, 3MP, 5MP, and 12MP using firmware interpolation) and ships with 32MBs of onboard memory. The DXG-506V utilizes a USB 2.0 interface and comes with USB/AV cables, camera case, wrist strap, earphones, editing software and AAA batteries. A detailed specification sheet is available at http://www.dxgusa.com/data_sheets/506v.pdf. About DXG USA DXG USA is one of the fastest growing digital camera manufacturers in the United States and sells attractively styled digital cameras for the youth and mainstream markets. Compact, fashionable and affordably priced, DXG digital cameras are setting trends for quality and utility. DXG USA is a fully-owned subsidiary of DXG Technology Corporation, one of the world's leading manufacturers and designers (OEM/ODM) of digital cameras and camcorders. With over 20 years of experience manufacturing digital technology products under other brand names, DXG now designs and manufactures cameras under its own name. DXG Technology has won numerous design and innovation awards and employs over 4,000 people worldwide. For more information on DXG USA, please visit www.dxgusa.com. Editors Note: Product images of the DXG-506V are available on the DXG USA photo webpage (http://www.dxgusa.com/press/Photos_Main.htm)
Party PicsThe kind of party photos people respond to aren’t the static, fixed expression, highly posed grip-and-grins you see in your parents’ photo albums. You want the casual, spontaneous, voyeuristic look and feel -- Ryan McGinley’s work or Last Night’s Party pleasingly sleazy shots are perfect examples. A camera that is fast, low-key in appearance and has a great flash with lots of manual options is key. The Fuji E900 fulfills all the requirements while retaining Fuji's oh-so-flattering skin tones. The semi-vintage Fuji E900 isn’t in production anymore (but is readily available on Amazon for as the E series has been supplanted by another generation of cameras that have sadly discarded the digital viewfinder, one of the features that makes the E900 so good for party situations. (If you don’t want to by a used camera, the Canon PowerShot G9 ($500) is a perfect substitute.)
Three Ways to Shoot It Better, by Mark Tusk, professional party picture taker
• Don't blind people: “In Program Mode set your flash to -1/3 which is a little gentler, and your exposure to -1/3, which is a kinder to complexions. You don’t want to blow out people’s features, which commonly happens with flash in night conditions.”
• Use the spot flash: “Set the flash to spot (the flashing lightning bolt) which gives that trippy, trailing lights effect in the background, and keeps the subject in nice focus. Try using the flash with these settings at daytime parties, too -- it’ll make the colors pop a little”.
• Go into stealth mode: “Turn off the back screen and use the digital viewfinder, especially at night. You’ll call less attention to yourself, and you’ll lessen the chances that you’ll have to stop and pass the camera around after every shot, an annoying modern habit that ruins spontaneity.” Also: turn off the shutter beep or any other noises the camera makes.
Mark Tusk's work has appeared in The New York Observer, Radar, and the London Times Magazine.
Argus Disposable Digital CameraJust functional is probably the best description of the Argus disposable digital camera. It’s cheap, very cheap and is probably the closest qualifier for a disposable digital camera.
Digital cameras have dropped a lot in price, with the higher range features seeping down through the range. The Argus manages to hit an even cheaper cheap at only $15. Now digital cameras have not got a reputation for being disposable, as they are just a little too expensive, and don’t offer the same level of cheapness as regular disposable cameras.
The Argus disposable digital camera offers a very plain set of features.
640 x 480 maximum resolution
JPEG pictures
No zoom
Focus from 1.5m to inifinity
Auto-focus
Takes AAA batteries
The resolution is low and probably only enough to print small pics, but the intention is for the pictures to never leave the digital realm. For uploading to websites and stuff, it does the trick.
The best part about the Argus disposable digital camera is how simple it is. As there are so few options to use, there is only a shutter button, you use a traditional viewfinder to line everything up before taking the picture.
There is a USB port on the side of the camera to get the pictures off, and there is no memory stick or any memory expansion, everything must fit on the 2MB that is built-in.
This does perfect as a disposable digital camera and you loose very little if it gets lost or broken and at $15 there is absolutely no reason not to just try it out. It makes a great camera for kids too.
The Nikon Coolpix digital camera is priced just right for the consumer camera range, and although it’s not the cheapest nor the most expensive, the Nikon digital camera does offer a range of features to make it appealing to most people, and it boasts a set of features to customize how pictures are taken.
The Nikon Coolpix digital camera range has been around for a while now, and the L18 is in the bottom portion of the range. It does offer a good set of features though.
A brief list of the features of the Coolpix Nikon digital camera
8.0 megapixel
3264 x 2448 maximum pictures resolution
640 x 480 maximum movie resolution
SD/SDHC memory card slot
JPEG picture format
AVI movie format
3x optical zoom
3.0 inch viewscreen
Firstly, there is the 8.0 megapixel picture quality. This is enough for any family pictures and even then is probably more than necessary, considering that most pictures will be downsized and then uploaded to the Internet. The Nikon digital camera does support lower resolutions and if you plan to take a lot of pictures then choose a resolution that is more reasonable. Even for my family photos I use 2.0 megapixels (1600 x 1200), even though my camera supports more.
The 3.0 inch viewscreen gives a nice large view of the picture before taking it. The Nikon digital camera’s screen also gives a clearer idea of what the final picture will look like because it applies the pictures settings to the displayed picture while viewing.
The ability to take low resolution movies is a definite plus. 640 x 480 might not seen like a lot compared with HD TV and other such high resolution technologies, but it is probably enough. It took two years before I tried movies on my old camera. It could only take 320 x 240, but was still enough for home movies because the subject is very focused and in a controlled environment.
It is worth noting that this Nikon digital camera takes AA batteries. Proprietary batteries often last well and are designed for the camera they are used in but are expensive to replace and require that you take a spare and charger for longer trips. The AA batteries on the Nikon Coolpix digital camera allow you to choose any AA sized rechargeable battery you like, you can use regular AA batteries if your rechargeables run out and they are easily replaceable.
For the price, getting a good camera, decent video recorder all in one make the Nikon Coolpix digital camera a good pick.
Lumix TZ5There are a lot of digital cameras in the market. Some people may have their own dream cameras that have the specifications that they need. Nevertheless, people are still canvassing and searching for the perfect and best digital camera for them. Such cameras can be given as gifts, rewards and a necessity. Having that camera that suits your lifestyle with a picture quality you want can make a difference in your life. More so, your captured photos shall remain memoirs of your past.
Because of that constant finding and improvement of the cameras, Panasonic has been able to add another camera to their line. The Lumix DMC TZ5 is the newest member of the Panasonic Family. It was made to have a resolution higher than those already released and it was also installed with the most up-to-date advancements in technology.
This camera has the Leica DC Vario-Elmar which is branded F3.3 – F.49 for the 10x optical zoom lens and is branded. The said camera has also a 3.0” high resolution LCD with around 460,000 resolution for its pixel.
The battery is a Lithium Ion one and has around a bit lesser 300 shots per charge because it has a bigger and much power-hungry display.
Red-eye correction and Intelligent exposure features has also been included in the camera. This intelligent exposure ensures that the photos taken will be the best of the best. Individuals will now be more confident in taking pictures since there are no under- or even over-exposed pictures. This camera adjusts automatically depending on the brightness of the environment it is exposed to. The digital correction for the red-eye feature on the other hand ensures the photo enthusiasts that they also need not to worry about editing it. The camera will do this for you.
Individuals also do not need to worry about the picture getting blurred because of their shaky hands. The camera is able to prevent this from happening because of its Gyrosensors and its Intelligent ISO. The camera is also able to detect if the photo subject is moving thus changing the ISO and shutter speed settings automatically.
It has an intelligent scene selector that checks the conditions of the environment and chooses the best scene mode to create a brilliant photo. The Face detection feature has also been included which can point out up to 15 faces.
There are of course a lot more features of this incredible camera. And if you are interested in purchasing one, just be patient because its availability is around March of this year. Just make sure you are able to cash out $320 for its price.
Katrina Kaif

Born on July 16, 1984 Katrina Kaif is one of eight siblings, all girls, from a mother who is a Caucasian of British Nationality, and a father who was formerly from Kashmir, India, but who has since acquired British citizenship.

Katrina grew up in Hawaii, but was brought up in London, UK. She started modeling accidentally when she was in Hawaii at the tender age of 14, when she was approached for a jewelery campaign. Thereafter she continued modeling in London.

Continuing to model was the reason she got her break in a Bollywood movie “Boom” offered by none other than film-maker Kaizad Gustad.

She was flooded with modeling assignments the minute she set her foot on Indian soil, especially with her innocent expressive face, hour-glass figure, and drop-dead gorgeous looks.

Professionally she started off as a model with photographer Atul Kasbekar, and upon being accepted, she received offers from LG, Cola, Fevicol, Lakme, & Veet. It was the Lakme commercial that got her noticed. She retained Matrix as her Manager to accept work on her behalf and at the price she deserved.

Moving to different culture and country was not much of a culture shock for her, as she states that no matter where you come from, the bottom line is that everyone wants to be loved, respected, and cared for.

Unlike other artistes from foreign lands, Katrina did not experience any difficulties in getting a visa nor of getting it extended in India.

Although linguistically challenged, Katrina puts on a bold face and states that other Bollywood artistes like Sridevi, who did not know Hindi, did get offers from Bollywood film-makers, and she is no different. She is taking Hindi and dancing lessons to fit in with the Bollywood culture. She likes to display a picture of her learning Kathak dancing where she used to dance 7 hours a day non-stop.

Despite of her soft gorgeous looks, she is not easily intimidated, but admits that she is very emotional, almost an incurable romantic, wears comfortable non-revealing clothes when at home, hates to do her hair, and above all dislikes make-up. Admitting to being lonely in the beginning, but now has several nice friends who she can hang out with.

Preity Zinta born January 31, 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 Best Female Debut Award, and she was later recognised for her role as a teenage single mother in Kya Kehna (2000). She subsequently played a variety of character types; her film roles along with her screen persona contributed to a change in the concept of a Hindi film heroine.Preity Zinta
Zinta received her first Filmfare Best Actress Award in 2003 for her performance in the drama Kal Ho Naa Ho. She went on to play the lead female role in two consecutive annual top-grossing films in India: the science fiction film Koi… Mil Gaya, her biggest commercial success, and the star-crossed romance Veer-Zaara, which earned her critical acclaim. She was later noted for her portrayal of independent, modern Indian women in Salaam Namaste and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, top-grossing productions in overseas markets. These accomplishments have established her as a leading actress of Hindi cinema.Her first international film role was in the Canadian film Heaven on Earth, for which she was awarded the Best Actress (Silver Hugo) award at the 2008 Chicago International Film Festival.
In addition to movie acting, Zinta has written a series of columns for BBC News Online South Asia, is a regular stage performer, and along with ex-boyfriend Ness Wadia she is a co-owner of the Indian Premier League cricket team Kings XI Punjab. She is known in the Indian media for publicly speaking her mind and openly expressing her opinions, occasionally sparking controversy. These controversies include her being the only witness not to retract in court her earlier statements against the Indian mafia during the 2003 Bharat Shah case, for which she was awarded the Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Award.
Born January 31, 1975 (1975-01-31) (age 34)
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
Occupation Film actress
Years active 1998–present
Domestic partner(s) Ness Wadia (2005–2009)
Early life and background
Zinta was born into a Hindu Rajput family from Rohru in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh. Her father, Durganand Zinta, was an officer in the Indian Army. He died in a car accident when she was 13 years old; the accident also involved her mother, Nilprabha, who was severely injured and consequently remained bedridden for two years. Zinta called the tragic accident and her father’s death a significant turning point in her life, which forced her to mature rapidly.She has two brothers; Deepankar and Manish, a year older and a year younger respectively. Deepankar is a commissioned officer in the Indian Army, while Manish lives in California.
Zinta, who describes herself as a tomboy as a child, has emphasised her father’s military background as having a lasting impression on how family life was conducted. He asserted the importance of discipline and punctuality to the children. She studied at the Convent of Jesus and Mary boarding school in Shimla. Although she confesses to loneliness in the boarding school, she noted that it was compensated by her finding a “… perfect set of friends” there.As a student, she developed a love for literature, particularly the works of William Shakespeare and poetry. According to Zinta, she enjoyed schoolwork and received good grades; in her free time she played sports, especially basketball.
Upon graduating from the boarding school at age 18, Zinta enrolled at St Bede’s College in Shimla. She graduated college with an English honours degree, and then started a graduate programme in psychology. She earned a postgraduate degree in criminal psychology, but later took up modelling. Zinta’s first television commercial was for Perk chocolates, the result of a chance meeting with a director at a friend’s birthday party in 1996. The director persuaded Zinta to audition for the spot, and she was selected. Afterwards, she appeared in other catalogues and commercials, including one for the soap Liril.
Acting career
Early work (1997–99)
In 1997, Zinta met film-maker Shekhar Kapur when she accompanied a friend to an audition, and was asked if she would audition too. Upon seeing her audition, Kapur insisted that she become an actress. She was originally scheduled to make her screen debut in Kapur’s Tara Rum Pum Pum opposite Hrithik Roshan, but the filming was cancelled. Kapur later recommended her for director Mani Ratnam’s movie Dil Se.Zinta often recalls that when she joined the film industry, her friends teased her that she would typically “wear white saris and dance in the rain”, thereby motivating her to play different parts.
Zinta commenced shooting for Kundan Shah’s Kya Kehna, whose release was delayed until 2000.The delay of another film, Soldier, meant that her first release was Dil Se (1998) opposite Shahrukh Khan and Manisha Koirala.[16] She was introduced as Preeti Nair, a middle-class Delhi girl and Khan’s fiancée. The film was considered an unusual launch for a newcomer, as her role called for only 20 minutes of screen time. However, she was eventually noticed for her role, particularly for the forthright character she played. Her scene with Khan, in which she asked him, “Are you a virgin?”, became well-known, and her portrayal earned her a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award nomination. She played her first leading role in the action-drama Soldier (1998), a commercial hit of the year. She won the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award for her performance in both Dil Se and Soldier.
Zinta next acted in two Telugu films, Premante Idera (1998), opposite Venkatesh; and Raja Kumarudu (1999), opposite Mahesh Babu. She followed with the leading role in the thriller Sangharsh, alongside Akshay Kumar. The film, based on The Silence of the Lambs (1991), was directed by Tanuja Chandra and written by Mahesh Bhatt. Zinta portrayed the character of Reet Oberoi, a CBI officer who falls in love with a captured killer played by Kumar. The film was not a box-office success, although Zinta’s performance was appreciated by critics.Breakthrough (2000–02)
Zinta’s first role in 2000 was in the drama Kya Kehna, which unexpectedly became a box-office success. The film addressed themes of single parenthood and teenage pregnancy, and gained Zinta wider recognition from the public as well as film critics. Her portrayal of a teenage single mother who fights social prejudice earned her several award nominations, including her first nomination for Best Actress at the Filmfare Awards. India Today reported that Zinta belonged to a new breed of Hindi film actors that breaks away from character stereotypes.
Zinta as the teenage single mother Priya Bakshi in Kya Kehna (2000) which earned the actress her first nomination for Best Actress at Filmfare.Later that year, Zinta starred in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s drama Mission Kashmir alongside Sanjay Dutt and Hrithik Roshan. Set in the valley of Kashmir during the Indo-Pakistani conflicts, the film dealt with the topic of terrorism and crime. Zinta’s role was that of Sufiya Parvez, a TV reporter and Roshan’s childhood love. A review in The Hindu said about her performance, “Preity Zinta is her usual cherubic self and lends colour to the otherwise serious proceedings”. It was an economic success, becoming the third-highest grossing film of the year in India.
In 2001, Zinta earned positive reviews for her role in Farhan Akhtar’s National Film Award-winning Dil Chahta Hai, co-starring Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna. Depicting the contemporary routine life of Indian affluent youth, it is set in modern-day urban Mumbai and focuses on a major period of transition in the lives of three young friends. Zinta starred as Aamir Khan’s love interest, Shalini. According to critics, the film broke new ground by showing Indian youth as they are today. Despite the critical reception, it was only a moderate box office success in India; it performed well in the big cities but failed in the rural areas, which was attributed by critics to the urban-oriented lifestyle depicted in the movie. Rediff.com wrote of Zinta that she “… is beautiful and vibrant, wavering between endearingly naive and confused”.
Three more 2001 releases featured Zinta, including Abbas-Mustan’s romantic drama Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, which was released after a one-year delay due to the trial of producer Bharat Shah. This film was one of the first Bollywood movies to address the controversial issue of surrogate childbirth. Zinta’s performance as Madhubala, a golden-hearted prostitute hired as a surrogate mother, earned her a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress nomination. Rediff.com noted, “Preity Zinta, who clearly has the meatiest part of all, makes the best of it. Her transformation from the cocky and unabashed prostitute to a sensitive and warm person is amazingly believable.” Following her portrayal of a range of characters in Kya Kehna, Sangharsh and Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Zinta gained a reputation for playing roles that go against Indian traditional mores and was often recognised for her versatility as an actress. Critics attributed her roles in these films as to establishing a new image for leading actresses in Bollywood.
In 2002, Zinta collaborated once again with director Kundan Shah, as the protagonist in the family drama Dil Hai Tumhaara, alongside Rekha, Mahima Chaudhry and Arjun Rampal. Although the film did not succeed at the box office, her portrayal of Shalu, an adopted daughter craving love, was critically acclaimed. Taran Adarsh from indiaFM noted, “… Preity Zinta, in an author-backed role … steals the show with a sterling performance. Her scenes with Rekha (second half) and Alok Nath (pre-climax) are simply outstanding. Here’s a performance that is sure to win accolades from the junta and critics whole-heartedly.”
Success (2003–07)
Zinta was the female lead in India’s three highest-grossing films of 2003: The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, Koi… Mil Gaya and Kal Ho Naa Ho.The Hero, co-starring Sunny Deol and Priyanka Chopra, is a patriotic drama about a spy network involving terrorists and an Indian army officer. Zinta played the part of Reshma, a villager who falls in love with the officer and becomes part of this network. The film, involving stunts never seen before in the cinematic history of Bollywood, became the most expensive Hindi film ever produced at the time. Despite being the third highest-grossing film of that year, it failed to recover its production costs at the box office.She next starred in Honey Irani’s directorial debut, Armaan, alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Kapoor. This drama is set in a hospital and follows the travails of its personnel and its principal, Dr. Akash, who struggles arduously to sustain the institution financially. Zinta played Akash’s schizophrenic wife Sonia Kapoor. The film received predominantly positive reviews, and Zinta was particularly praised. The Tribune concluded, “Zinta has outclassed everyone with her convincing performance.” For her performance, she received nominations for Best Villain at different award ceremonies, including Filmfare.
Rakesh Roshan’s science-fiction film Koi… Mil Gaya, about a developmentally disabled young man, followed. Co-starring with Rekha and Hrithik Roshan, Zinta played the role of Nisha, a young woman whom Roshan befriends. She received another Best Actress nomination at the Filmfare for the role. The movie was a financial and critical success and became the most popular film of the year, as well as Zinta’s highest-grossing movie, with a domestic total of Rs 489 million;it won the Filmfare Best Movie Award, among others.
Zinta with Shahrukh Khan as the Indian-American Naina Catherine Kapur in Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), which earned the actress her first Filmfare Best Actress Award.Zinta’s final release of 2003 was Kal Ho Naa Ho, a tearjerker set in New York City. It was directed by Nikhil Advani and written by Karan Johar, co-starring Jaya Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan. The film was received favourably by critics and became India’s second-biggest hit of the year after Koi… Mil Gaya. It also did well internationally and became India’s top-grossing film of the year overseas, earning over Rs 600 million worldwide. Zinta played the role of Naina Catherine Kapur, an insecure and angry young Indian-American woman who falls in love with a man who has a fatal heart disease. She won several awards for her performance, including the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Derek Elley from Variety wrote, “Zinta, who’s been carving a growing following the past three years or so, has never been better, definitively moving from juve roles to a charismatic young woman with her sexy, assured Naina.”
In 2004 she starred as TV journalist Romila Dutta in Farhan Akhtar’s war drama Lakshya, co-starring with Hrithik Roshan. The film was based on the historical events of the 1999 Kargil Conflict; Zinta’s character was modeled after TV journalist Barkha Dutt, the only female reporter assigned to the story. The film was a critical success, yet her performance received mixed reviews; Rediff.com noted, “Zinta has quite a good role and a good deal of footage in the film, and she does a fairly decent job of it without ever being spectacular.”
Later that year, Yash Chopra cast her opposite Shahrukh Khan as the female lead in the love saga Veer-Zaara, the top-grossing Bollywood film of that year in both India and abroad, earning over Rs 750 million worldwide. The film, which relates the love story of an Indian officer, Veer Pratap Singh, and a Pakistani woman, Zaara Haayat Khan, had a strong international release, including a screening at the Berlin Film Festival, and won several Best Movie awards in major Indian award ceremonies. For her portrayal of Zaara, a smart Pakistani girl, Zinta received her fourth Filmfare Best Actress nomination and won the Stardust Star of the Year Award for the second consecutive year. Variety hailed her as “the most interesting young actress of her generation,” writing that she “is her usual lively self as the willful Zaara.” Veer-Zaara was Zinta’s second highest-grossing film and third major success in two consecutive years. It marked the beginning of her work with Yash Raj Films, one of the largest production houses in Bollywood.
In 2005, Zinta appeared in two movies. Her first release was the folk comedy Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen, co-starring Govinda, a production that had been delayed since 2002. The film garnered negative reviews and poor box office returns. Zinta’s role was small, and was not well received. Her next release was Siddharth Anand’s comedy-drama Salaam Namaste, co-starring Saif Ali Khan. Produced by Yash Raj Films, it was the first Indian movie to be filmed entirely in Australia and went on to become the year’s highest-grossing Bollywood production overseas, with revenues of Rs 430 million internationally. The film tells the story of a contemporary cohabiting Indian couple. Zinta played the female protagonist Ambar Malhotra, a single modern young woman who leaves India to make her own life in Australia. The film was well received by critics, and Zinta’s performance earned her nominations for Best Actress at a number of award ceremonies. Taran Adarsh wrote, “After Kya Kehna, Preity Zinta accepts the challenge of portraying an unwed mother yet again in Salaam Namaste. The actor is terrific, delivering her most accomplished performance to date. Her lip locks with Saif Ali Khan will catch a lot of people unaware, but that’s the sign of a thorough professional.” The New York Times noted, “She is cheerleader-homecoming queen-fraternity sweetheart pretty, so even when her characters are being unkind it’s hard not to like her.”
Zinta as a fashion magazine editor Rhea Saran in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006).Zinta received further success in 2006, starring in Karan Johar’s drama Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna with an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji and Kirron Kher. The film became one of the biggest box office hits in India, earning Rs 464 million, and grossed over Rs 445 million overseas, the biggest Bollywood success of all time in the overseas market. It was her fourth overseas top-earner in four consecutive years. The film tells the story of two unhappily married couples in New York, and an ensuing extramarital affair. Zinta played the role of Rhea Saran, an ambitious fashion magazine editor. She described the role as an attempt to shed her vivacious public image. The Indian Express concurred that this was successful: “The lady has not just looked glamorous but she has walked with poise, sat with grace, smiled with composure and spoke with calmness. Who would have thought that the bubbly girl could so skillfully shed her age-old tag and walk away as the don’t-mess-with-me lass. So all those who are in search of the peppy Preity, well guys you’ve dialed the wrong number this time.”
She then starred in Shirish Kunder’s romantic musical Jaan-E-Mann, a story set in the United States about two men, played by Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, who love the same woman. The film received positive reviews from critics, yet performed poorly at the box office. Zinta played the role of Piya, the cynosure of two men. She was mostly criticised for taking a small role, though her performance was generally well-received. Raja Sen described her role as “ornament throughout,” but further stated that she “comes vividly alive in the film’s last scene, a moment that makes you lament why filmmakers today don’t let the babyfaced actress have more fun instead of forcing her to sob copiously. She doesn’t have much to do in Jaan-E-Mann, but looks appropriately attractive.” Zinta said that the film was a great relief after the more emotionally intense Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, as Jaan-E-Mann was “easy, happy and much more simple”.
In 2007 Zinta portrayed a British Pakistani woman, Alvira Khan, in her third project with Yash Raj Films, Shaad Ali’s comedy Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, alongside Abhishek Bachchan, Bobby Deol and Lara Dutta. The film was a critical and commercial failure in India. She was criticised for her performance; The Times of India described her as “too plastic” and Rediff.com concluded, “From accent to emotion, Preity is plain and simple insufferable in this film.”
New career prospects (2007–present)
In 2007, following the failure of two of her commercial releases, Zinta began working with art film directors, and turned towards neo-realistic movies, known in India as parallel cinema.[59] She acted in her first English film, Rituparno Ghosh’s The Last Lear, as a struggling theatre actress opposite Amitabh Bachchan. The film premiered at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival, and was received well. The first reviews were approving, with one critic writing “It’s great to see her doing a completely natural role. She played her role with real dignity and it was a pleasure seeing her getting back to her initial style of acting.”[60] Zinta said about her first art film, “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
Zinta next starred in Samir Karnik’s Heroes (2008), a road movie about two final-year film students who, as a part of their assignment, travel a thousand miles across North India to deliver three un-posted letters written by army personnel who lost their lives during the 1999 Kargil war to their families. The story unfolds the journey of these students in three chapters and follows how they meet and are inspired by the families of the soldiers. Zinta is featured in the first chapter as Salman Khan’s war widow, Kuljeet Kaur, a woman who becomes the sole breadwinner of the family and single-handedly raises her son. In preparation for the role, Zinta attended Anupam Kher’s acting school to learn the dialect and mannerisms of a Punjabi woman. Both her performance and the film received rave reviews; Anand Singh of Hindustan Times wrote, “Karnik is merely interested in wringing tears the old-fashioned way, and not in starting a debate. He succeeds—mainly because Preity Zinta brings to a role a gravitas and dignity that is seen on the faces of ordinary women—this may be her coming of age as an actress.”
By April 2008, Zinta completed shooting for Jahnu Barua’s drama Har Pall and Deepa Mehta’s Canadian film Heaven on Earth, a Punjabi language drama based on the true story of a non-resident Indian battered wife. Her performance in Heaven on Earth earned her the Best Actress (Silver Hugo) award at the 2008 Chicago International Film Festival, for “her strong yet subtle performance as a woman struggling to keep her dreams despite brutal realities.”
Other work
Column writing
In 2004, Zinta joined a group of South Asian commentators for BBC News Online. She expressed joy at participating in the project, saying, “I am pretty outspoken and have my own view on every subject. So it will be a good platform for me to air my views.”[66] Her first column, “The changing face of Bollywood”, published in January 2004, discussed the evolution of Bollywood in the past decade. The column became one of the site’s ten most read stories of the day. In her second column, “Odds stacked against Indian women”, Zinta analysed the eve teasing phenomenon in India, and criticised those who practice it. She wrote, “Incidences like these take away a woman’s dignity, her space and her freedom … why the state is so helpless in protecting the women. Why should women feel unsafe in a country which had an internationally revered woman prime minister?” The column caught the attention of readers worldwide, and she received thousands of e-mails about it. It was applauded particularly by women for its stand against abuse of Indian women. Her third column, “The darkness that all actors fear”, was a more personal column and dealt with her stardom, fans, insecurity and fears as an actor.Her fourth and final column, titled “Facing death in Sri Lanka and Thailand”, described her two near-death experiences in late 2004.
Stage performances
Zinta performing at the Temptation 2004.Zinta has taken part in several stage shows and world tours since 2001. Her first world tour, a series of concerts called Craze 2001, was performed across the U.S. alongside Anil Kapoor, Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Gracy Singh. The show faced early cancellation due to the September 11, 2001 attacks, and the team prepared to return to India as soon as possible. However, the shows continued successfully in Canada. In 2002, she participated in the show From India With Love in the UK, along with Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Shahrukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai. The show took place at two outdoor venues, Manchester’s Old Trafford Football Stadium and London’s Hyde Park, with over 100,000 spectators. Zinta’s largest world tour was in 2004, when she joined a group of stars (Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Saif Ali Khan, Arjun Rampal and Priyanka Chopra) in the Temptation 2004 tour. Showcased in over 22 countries across the world, it became Bollywood’s most prominent international concert.In 2006, Zinta was part of the Heat 2006 world tour, along with Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Sushmita Sen and Celina Jaitley.Humanitarian work
During her years in the film industry, Zinta has been involved with different charities, and has supported women’s causes in India, for instance protesting against female infanticide. She has also participated in AIDS awareness drives and campaigns to clean up Mumbai.
In 2005, along with other Bollywood stars, Zinta performed at the HELP! Telethon Concert raising money for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. The following year, as an ambassador of the Godfrey Phillips National Bravery Movement, Zinta attended a blood donation camp organised by the Rotary Club of Delhi and the Godfrey Phillips Awards. She lent her support to the cause of women’s empowerment and promoted blood donation. She said, “Donating blood doesn’t kill one but goes on to save somebody’s life …. Once blood is donated it becomes universal and might be used by anyone in need, irrespective of community, caste or region. It binds people together.”Preity Zinta
In 2007, Zinta along with Rani Mukerji, donated Rs 250,000 of her winnings from Kaun Banega Crorepati to the Shimla District Red Cross Society in Himachal Pradesh. In January, Zinta visited Hisar, Haryana, where she spent a day at the army training base to boost the morale of the jawan troops. The visit was conducted for an NDTV show, Jai Jawan, on which entertainers and actors visit Indian troops. While there, she also met children with disabilities at a special school maintained by the army. In August, along with Mumbai-based artist Gurcharan Singh, Zinta painted for the cause of street children for the non-governmental organisation Khushi. In December, she joined the efforts of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to curb human trafficking in India. She spoke on behalf of awareness against the practice, the need for protection and rehabilitation for those rescued from it, and punishment for perpetrators.
Ownership of IPL cricket team
Along with Ness Wadia and others, Zinta acquired ownership rights in 2008 for the Mohali-based Twenty20 cricket team of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The group paid $76 million to acquire the franchise, and have since named the team Kings XI Punjab.[88] Until 2009, Zinta was the only woman to own an IPL team, and was the league’s youngest owner.She has been involved with launching ticket sales and promoting the team. She said, “My involvement with the team is total. I am extremely passionate about our team and I do believe that I am the team’s good luck factor, so I want to be there for everything.”
Personal life
Zinta used to visit her native town Shimla when not busy in shooting. In 2006, she moved into her own home in Mumbai.[91] She does not identify with any particular religion. In an interview with The Times of India, she comments, “I believe in good deeds, in karma, I don’t believe in going to temples. For me, religion is very personal. It’s all about having faith … We have heard and read that all religions are equal. Now I am increasingly believing in this.” She narrowly escaped death twice in late 2004: first after an explosion at a Temptation concert in Colombo, Sri Lanka; and second during the Indian Ocean earthquake.
Zinta has been the subject of several controversies. In 2003, as a witness in the Bharat Shah case, she testified against the Indian mafia. Bharat Shah, the financer of one of her movies, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, was arrested in 2000 for having connections with Chhota Shakeel, a Mumbai underworld boss.[94] Unlike several of her colleagues, Zinta repeated in court her earlier statement that she had received extortion threats from the mafia during the shooting of the film. After her testimony, she was given witness protection and was forced to stay out of the public eye for two months.[30] Thirteen other witnesses before her, including celebrities Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan, were witnesses in the case but later retracted their earlier statements. Zinta was the only witness who did not become hostile to the prosecution; the nation responded positively to her actions. Consequently, she was the first recipient of Godfrey’s Mind of Steel Award at the annual Red and White Bravery Awards, given to her for the “Courageous Act” of standing against the Mumbai Underworld. On receiving the award, she said: “To be brave is not to be fearless. It is when you fear and you get over it, then you can be called brave. I am human. It is not that I fear nothing. But getting over a fear is a continuous process and I have been successful so far.” Since 2006, Zinta has been the brand ambassador for the Godfrey Phillips Bravery awards.
Zinta with Ness Wadia at the 2007 Giants Day Awards.Tabloids have often linked Zinta romantically with other Bollywood stars, but she has strongly denied any such rumours. In 2000, Zinta began dating model Marc Robinson. They separated the following year, and according to Zinta remained on good terms. Asked in Filmfare about their break-up, she spoke of “very, very fond memories of the times we were together and I’d like to keep it to that”.Zinta dated the Bombay Dyeing heir, businessman Ness Wadia from February 2005 until May 2009. Their relationship was often reported on by the media, with frequent speculation about an engagement or a break-up. In December 2006, another controversy featured Zinta when Ness Wadia was reported to have attacked construction workers at her residence in Bandra. Reportedly, a woman was critically injured and a child was hurt in the incident. Zinta reacted angrily at hearing these rumours reported in the national news and confronted journalists, criticising their conduct. She challenged the press to deliver proof, and offered Rs 1 crore (Rs 10 million) if an injured woman was found. No evidence was found and the rumour has subsequently been regarded as false.
In March 2007, Zinta was involved in a scandal when actress and singer Suchitra Krishnamurthy cited her as the cause of her divorce from Shekhar Kapur, alleging that Zinta was having an affair with him.Although initially silent on the issue, after another accusation by Krishnamurthy, Zinta retorted, “It is unfortunate that I am bearing the brunt of someone else’s paranoia. She’s clearly unstable and I wish her a speedy recovery.” She issued a statement that she had met Kapur only five times in ten years and publicly demanded that he step forward and clear her of the accusation. Thereafter, the controversy came to an end.
In the media
Zinta is particularly known in the Indian media for her straightforwardness and for honestly expressing her outspoken views and forthright opinions in public, be it about her on-screen or off-screen life or raising a voice against any social injustice.These features were noted during the Bharat Shah Case, when she testified against the underworld; following this incident she was described by journalists as “The only man in Bollywood”. Her characteristic dimple has been cited by the media as her trademark. She is often described by the press as having a vivacious personality and a bubbly, outgoing persona, an image she has confessed to disliking.
Zinta at the 2004 IIFA Awards.In 2003, Zinta appeared in the number one spot on Rediff’s “Top Bollywood Female Stars”. She was ranked second for the following three years. She has been featured frequently on other Rediff lists, including “Bollywood’s Most Beautiful Actresses”,”Bollywood’s Best Dressed Women” and “Woman of Many Faces”. In September 2006, the UK magazine Eastern Eye ranked her at 41 in the list of “Asia’s Sexiest Women”.
On July 15, 2005, Zinta filed a defamation suit against leading Mumbai tabloid Mid-Day after tapes emerged alleging that Salman Khan had made derogatory comments about her. The tabloid published transcripts indicating that she had a sexual relationship with Khan, and she was cross-examined as a chief witness in January 2007. She said about the case, “I felt humiliated as it spoiled my reputation and character in public.” She told of disparaging phone calls she received from individuals pretending to be Salman Khan, and that she had been repeatedly questioned in a derogatory fashion by the media. Zinta further stated that the events affected her professionally as well; a planned film with Khan was abandoned. The tape was examined by the Government’s Forensic laboratory in Chandigarh which concluded that it was a fake.
Between 2004 and 2007, Zinta made three appearances on the Indian talk show Koffee with Karan, hosted by Karan Johar, appearing with Saif Ali Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Bobby Deol, respectively. In 2006, she was a guest judge in the singing talent contest Indian Idol 2. She returned briefly to her occupation as a model when she walked the ramp for Manish Malhotra’s display Fashion Week 2006, along with actress Kajol. Later that year, Zinta and filmmaker Karan Johar represented Bollywood at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival to promote Johar’s forthcoming Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, which featured Zinta in a leading role.
In May 2007, Zinta returned to Cannes for the 60th Film Festival to attend the premiere of My Blueberry Nights, which opened the gathering. She co-hosted the 52nd Filmfare Awards ceremony alongside Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Karan Johar. She was selected as the first brand ambassador for GoAir, a new airline service owned by Jeh Wadia from Wadia Group. Speculation arose in the press that she endorsed the brand as a favour to Jeh, who is Ness Wadia’s brother, a suggestion that Zinta quickly denied. May 2008 saw Zinta making her third consecutive appearance at Cannes; she attended the 61st Film Festival as the brand ambassador of Chopard, the maker of luxury watches and jewellery.
Filmography
See also: List of awards and nominations received by Preity Zinta
Year Film Role Other notes
1998 Dil Se Preeti Nair Winner, Filmfare Best Female Debut Award (Newface of the year)[124]
Nomination, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
Soldier Preeti Singh Winner, Filmfare Best Female Debut Award (Newface of the year)
Premante Idera Shailu Telugu film
Dubbed into Hindi as Dulhan Dilwale Ki
1999 Raja Kumarudu Rani Telugu film
Dubbed into Hindi as Prince No. 1
Sangharsh CBI Officer Reet Oberoi
Dillagi Rani Guest appearance
2000 Kya Kehna Priya Bakshi Nomination, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega Jahnvi
Mission Kashmir Sufiya Parvez
2001 Farz Kajal Singh
Chori Chori Chupke Chupke Madhubala (Madhu) Nomination, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
Dil Chahta Hai Shalini
Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke Sakshi
2002 Dil Hai Tumhaara Shalu
2003 The Hero: Love Story of a Spy Reshma/Ruksar
Armaan Sonia Kapoor Nomination, Filmfare Best Villain Award.
Koi… Mil Gaya Nisha Nomination, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Kal Ho Naa Ho Naina Catherine Kapur Patel Winner, Filmfare Best Actress Award
2004 Lakshya Romila Dutta
Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa Dr. Parineeta (Pari)
Veer-Zaara Zaara Haayat Khan Nomination, Filmfare Best Actress Award
2005 Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen Priti Damani
Salaam Namaste Ambar ‘Amby’ Malhotra Nomination, Filmfare Best Actress Award
2006 Alag Special appearance in song Sabse Alag
Krrish Nisha Special appearance
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Rhea Saran Nomination, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
Jaan-E-Mann Piya Goyal
2007 Jhoom Barabar Jhoom Alvira Khan
The Last Lear Shabnam First English language film
Om Shanti Om Herself Special appearance in song Deewangi Deewangi
2008 Heaven on Earth Chand
Heroes Kuljeet Kaur
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Special appearance in song Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte
2009 Main Aur Mrs. Khanna Cameo
Har Pall Runa Post-production