Preity Zinta turns 46: Rare photos of the Bollywood star

Preity Zinta celebrates her 46th birthday today. She was born in Shimla in 1975. While accompanying a friend to an audition, she was spotted by Shekhar Kapur who recommended her for Mani Ratnam's Dil Se. Thus began her journey in the film industry. (Photo: Express archive)

Preity Zinta gained fame and love of the audiences due to her strong roles early on in her career and her striking dimpled smile. (Photo: Express archive)

Her debut role in Dil Se.. was short yet memorable. Her first film as a lead was a Telugu film called Premante Idera. She later appeared as the female lead in Soldier opposite Bobby Deol. Here, she can be seen with Rakesh Roshan. (Photo: Express archive)

Priety was awarded Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for both Dil Se.. and Soldier. (Photo: Express archive)

Her performance in Kya Kehna was also much appreciated. The film dealt with topics like teenage pregnancy that are considered taboo in India, and became a commercial success. (Photo: Express archive)

In Mission Kashmir (2000), Preity Zinta played the role of a Kashmiri TV reporter and Hrithik Roshan's character's love interest. (Photo: Express archive)

Preity reunited with Hrithik again in 2004's Lakshya, in which she played the role of a war correspondent. (Photo: Express archive)

She joined Salman Khan and Rani Mukerji in Abbas–Mustan's drama Chori Chori Chupke Chupke. The film generated controversy due to it handling the concept of surrogate mother. (Photo: Express archive)

Preity was also commended for her performance in Farhan Akhtar's directorial debut and coming-of-age film Dil Chahta Hai. Here, she can be seen with Aamir Khan in a still. (Photo: Express archive)

Over more than two decades of her film career, Preity has played a variety of roles. Here, she can be seen with veteran actor Farida Jalal. (Photo: Express archive)