Editing Preity Zinta (section)

===Established actress (2003–2007)===
Zinta's career surged significantly in 2003 as she was the lead in India's three [[List of Hindi films of 2003|highest-grossing films of the year]]: ''[[The Hero: Love Story of a Spy]]'', ''[[Koi... Mil Gaya]]'' and ''[[Kal Ho Naa Ho]]''.<ref name="top actresses">{{cite web |publisher=Box Office India |title=Top Actress |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actress |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204132433/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actress |archive-date=4 December 2013 |access-date=8 January 2008}}</ref><ref name="2003 BO">{{cite web |title=Box Office 2003 |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=2003&pageId=4 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=8 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717214613/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/years.php?year=2003&pageId=4 |archive-date=17 July 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Hero'', co-starring [[Sunny Deol]] and [[Priyanka Chopra]], is an action drama about a [[Research and Analysis Wing]] (RAW) secret agent on a mission to gather intelligence about terrorist activity from across the border of Kashmir.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/apr/11hero.htm |title=A comicbook spy movie |author=Gumaste, Deepa |date=11 April 2003 |access-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live |work=Rediff.com |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803041747/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/apr/11hero.htm |archive-date=3 August 2020}}</ref> Zinta played the part of Reshma, a Kashmiri villager who falls in love with the agent 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.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=8 May 2008 |archive-date=6 September 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050906214231/http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/films/2003/04/the_hero_index.shtml |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/films/2003/04/the_hero_index.shtml |title=The Hero: Love Story of a Spy |publisher=BBC |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Gangadhar, V |title=A dauntless hero |date=16 May 2003 |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/05/16/stories/2003051601120200.htm |access-date=27 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612074223/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/05/16/stories/2003051601120200.htm |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=12 June 2008}}</ref> The third-highest-grossing film of the year, it was labelled a disappointment against its high production costs.<ref name="2003 BO"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Bold themes and pretty faces |date=28 December 2003 |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031228/spectrum/main5.htm |newspaper=The Tribune |access-date=8 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121110907/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031228/spectrum/main5.htm |archive-date=21 November 2013}}</ref>

She next starred in [[Honey Irani]]'s directorial debut, ''[[Armaan (2003 film)|Armaan]]''; the drama is set in a hospital and follows the travails of its personnel and its principal, Dr. Akash ([[Anil Kapoor]]), who struggles arduously to sustain the institution financially and enters into a marriage of convenience to save it. Zinta played Akash's egocentric, excessively possessive and capricious wife Sonia Kapoor,{{sfn|Chaudhuri|2014|p=161}} a role written specially for her and which she considered her best to that point.<ref name="Champagne"/><ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Filmfare |page=34 |publisher=[[The Times Group]] |date=September 2003 |editor=Pillai, Jitesh |editor-link=Jitesh Pillai |author=Parkar, Hamida |url=http://filmfaremagazine.indiatimes.com/articleshow.cms?msid=149143&right=1&fright=1&botlink=1 |title=Zip Zap Zinta: A joy ride with Preity |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040828123208/http://filmfaremagazine.indiatimes.com/articleshow.cms?msid=149143&right=1&fright=1&botlink=1 |archive-date=28 August 2004 |access-date=20 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The film received predominantly positive reviews, and Zinta was particularly praised.<ref>{{cite news |author=Bariana, Sanjeev Singh |title=Preity Zinta all the way |date=18 May 2003 |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030518/cth2.htm#7 |newspaper=The Tribune |access-date=1 February 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315213113/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030518/cth2.htm |archive-date=15 March 2008}}</ref> Khalid Mohamed called her a "peppy scene-stealer, achieving her manic mood swings dexterously", and Vinayak Chakravorty of ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' concluded that she "takes over the script and, indeed, the film" with "a brilliant act".<ref>{{cite news |author=Mohamed, Khalid |url=http://www.mid-day.com/columns/2003/may/53213.htm |date=18 May 2003 |title=What's up doc? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040205040412/http://web.mid-day.com/columns/khalid_mohammed/2003/may/53213.htm |archive-date=5 February 2004 |newspaper=[[Mid-Day]] |access-date=5 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=23 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023012114/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/NM2/Armaan/Article1-5766.aspx |first1=Vinayak |last1=Chakravorty |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/NM2/Armaan/Article1-5766.aspx |title=Armaan |url-status=dead |work=Hindustan Times |date=17 May 2003}}</ref> For her performance, she received nominations for Best Performance in a Negative Role at different award ceremonies, including Filmfare.<ref name="awards" />
[[File:Audio Launch of Kal Ho Naa Ho.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Zinta pictured with [[Saif Ali Khan]] (left) and [[Shah Rukh Khan]] at an event for ''[[Kal Ho Naa Ho]]'' in 2003]]

[[Rakesh Roshan]]'s science-fiction film ''Koi... Mil Gaya'', about a [[Developmental disability|developmentally disabled]] young man (Hrithik Roshan) coming in contact with an alien, followed.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/is-autism-on-the-rise-the-1995-persons-with-disabilities-act-doesn-t-cover-the-disorder/cid/1020638 |title=Is autism on the rise? |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=11 July 2004 |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803033414/https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/is-autism-on-the-rise-the-1995-persons-with-disabilities-act-doesn-t-cover-the-disorder/cid/1020638 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Jha|2005a|p=94}} Zinta's portrayal of Nisha, a young woman whom Roshan befriends and falls in love with, was deemed "fresh and inspired" by ''[[The Times of India]]''.<ref>{{cite news |access-date=21 April 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803015922/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Roshan-Gada-talks-offer-no-solution/articleshow/119224.cms |first1=Omar |last1=Qureshi |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Hrithik-does-jadoo-in-Koi-Mil-Gaya/articleshow/119141.cms |title=Hrithik does jadoo in ''Koi... Mil Gaya'' |work=The Times of India  |url-status=live |date=7 August 2003}}</ref> Regarded as the "most novel Bollywood movie of the year" by ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine,<ref>{{cite news |access-date=21 April 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803020020/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/koi-mil-gaya-review/ |first1=Omar |last1=Ahmed |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/koi-mil-gaya-review/ |title=''Koi... Mil Gaya'' Review |work=Empire |date=21 August 2003 |language=en |url-status=live}}</ref> the film emerged as India's most popular film of the year with a domestic total of {{INRConvert|680|m|year=2003}}.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803054147/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/koi-mil-gaya-i-found-someone |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/koi-mil-gaya-i-found-someone |title=''Koi... Mil Gaya'' (I Found Someone) |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="2003 BO"/> It went on to spawn two superhero sequels{{emdash}}''[[Krrish]]'' and ''[[Krrish&nbsp;3]]''{{emdash}}making it the first of the [[Krrish (franchise)|''Krrish'' film series]], to which Zinta did not proceed.<ref>{{cite news |access-date=31 January 2018 |archive-date=1 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201020241/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/rock-on-2-force-2-kahaani-2-bollywood-is-riding-high-on-sequels/story-pBVy05VxoMWBRBZ0zyPnmM.html |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/rock-on-2-force-2-kahaani-2-bollywood-is-riding-high-on-sequels/story-pBVy05VxoMWBRBZ0zyPnmM.html |title=''Rock On 2'', ''Force 2'', ''Kahaani 2'': Bollywood is riding high on sequels |newspaper=Hindustan Times |publisher=HT Media Limited |date=11 May 2017 |last=Chopra |first=Rukmini |url-status=live}}</ref>

Set in New York City, [[Nikhil Advani]]'s romantic drama ''[[Kal Ho Naa Ho]]'' starred Zinta as Naina Catherine Kapur, an insecure and irritable [[Indian-American]] who falls for a man with a fatal [[heart disease]] (Shah Rukh Khan).{{sfn|Kumar|2013|p=131}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/apr/01nikhil.htm |title=Shah Rukh will never admit he has a problem |author=Verma, Sukanya |work=Rediff.com |date=1 April 2004 |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803032820/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/apr/01nikhil.htm |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> The film earned over {{INRConvert|750|m|year=2003}} worldwide: the second-biggest hit of the year after ''Koi... Mil Gaya'' in India and the top-grossing Hindi film overseas.<ref name="2003 BO" /><ref name="Worldwide gross">{{cite web |title=Top Lifetime Grossers Worldwide (IND Rs) |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=312&catName=TGlmZXRpbWU= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021202725/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=312&catName=TGlmZXRpbWU%3D |archive-date=21 October 2013 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=17 September 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=10 February 2007 |archive-date=2 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102014744/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/dec/03kal.htm |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/dec/03kal.htm |title=''KHNH'' makes waves in UK too! |work=Rediff.com |date=3 December 2003 |url-status=live}}</ref> Critics received ''Kal Ho Naa Ho'' favourably,<ref>{{cite web |access-date=3 December 2020 |archive-date=9 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409035532/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1135237_kal_ho_naa_ho |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1135237_kal_ho_naa_ho? |title=''Kal Ho Naa Ho'' (2003) |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=3 December 2020 |archive-date=7 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107074543/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/kal-ho-naa-ho |url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/kal-ho-naa-ho |title=''Kal Ho Naa Ho'' 2003 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Ram Kamal Mukherjee]] of ''[[Stardust (magazine)|Stardust]]'' asserted that it exclusively rested on Zinta's "astounding performance", noting her for having "skillfully handled the hues of the complex character".<ref>{{cite magazine |access-date=30 March 2015 |archive-date=26 December 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031226072038/http://www.stardust.co.in/display_Standard.asp?section=reviews&subsection=&xml=December2003_reviews_standard50 |author=Mukherjee, Ram Kamal |magazine=[[Stardust (magazine)|Stardust]] |url=http://www.stardust.co.in/display_Standard.asp?section=reviews&subsection=&xml=December2003_reviews_standard50 |title=Kal Ho Naa Ho |date=28 November 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |access-date=20 November 2007 |archive-date=16 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216055712/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117922631?refcatid=31 |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117922631?refcatid=31 |title=New international release ''Kal Ho Naa Ho'' |date=10 December 2003 |author=Elley, Derek |authorlink=Derek Elley |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> At the [[49th Filmfare Awards]], Zinta received two Best Actress nominations: one for ''Koi... Mil Gaya'', which was named [[Filmfare Award for Best Film|Best Film]], and another for ''Kal Ho Naa Ho'', for which she won the award,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/477404.cms?&fright=1&right=1 |title=Nominees for the 49th Manikchand Filmfare Awards 2003 |work=The Times of India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040323042338/https://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/477404.cms?&fright=1&right=1 |archive-date=23 March 2004 |access-date=14 July 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="awards02">{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/filmfare/20040222.htm |title=For Hrithik, it is a Preity night to remember |author=Rediff Entertainment Bureau |work=Rediff.com |date=23 February 2004 |access-date=6 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402121906/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/filmfare/20040222.htm |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> in addition to accolades from other functions, including [[IIFA Award for Best Actress|IIFA]] and [[Stardust Award for Actor of the Year&nbsp;– Female|Stardust]].<ref name="awards" /><ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129100735/http://www.sify.com/movies/shahid-amrita-bag-stardust-awards-news-bollywood-kkfvNLfhfhesi.html |archive-date=29 January 2018 |title=Shahid, Amrita bag 'Stardust' awards |website=[[Sify]] |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/shahid-amrita-bag-stardust-awards-news-bollywood-kkfvNLfhfhesi.html |date=29 February 2004 |access-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2004, Zinta played TV journalist Romila Dutta in Farhan Akhtar's war drama ''[[Lakshya (2004 film)|Lakshya]]'', alongside Hrithik Roshan. The film is based on the historical events of the 1999 [[Kargil War]], and Zinta's character is modelled after [[Barkha Dutt]], the only female reporter who covered the conflict.{{sfn|Saleh|Knieper|2018|p=168–170}} She called it the toughest film she had worked on and said it made her respect journalists.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=16 February 2021 |archive-date=28 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728225210/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/jun/16preity.htm |first1=Vaihayasi P. |last1=Daniel |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/jun/16preity.htm |title='''Lakshya'' is the toughest film of my career' |date=16 June 2004 |last2=Verma |first2=Sukanya |url-status=live |work=Rediff.com}}</ref> To provide an accurate portrayal, she watched a number of Dutt's television shows and read books on the conflict.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-my-character-is-based-on-barkha-dutt-1176432 |title=My character is based on Barkha Dutt |newspaper=Daily News and Analysis |date=8 July 2008 |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |access-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803042554/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-my-character-is-based-on-barkha-dutt-1176432 |archive-date=3 August 2020}}</ref> The film was a critical success, yet her performance received mixed reviews; [[Namrata Joshi]] of ''[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]'' likened her to "a teenybopper trying to do a TV news reading skit for her college fest",<ref>{{cite magazine |access-date=6 December 2011 |archive-date=26 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126022652/http://outlookindia.com/article.aspx?224392 |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?224392 |title=Lakshya |date=5 July 2004 |author=Joshi, Namrata |magazine=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> and Rediff.com's Rajeev Pai observed that despite a good part, she only "does a fairly decent job of it without ever being spectacular".<ref>{{cite web |access-date=6 November 2007 |archive-date=2 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102224526/http://in.rediff.com/movies/2004/jun/18lakshya.htm |url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2004/jun/18lakshya.htm |title=Watch ''Lakshya''. You won't be disappointed |url-status=live |work=Rediff.com |date=18 June 2004 |author=Pai, Rajeev}}</ref> ''Lakshya'' failed to attract an audience, grossing {{INRConvert|235.6|m}} against its {{INRConvert|330|m}} budget.<ref name="BOI Filmography" /><ref>{{cite news |access-date=16 February 2021 |url=https://variety.com/2004/film/reviews/lakshya-1200532726/ |title=Lakshya |work=Variety |date=18 June 2004 |last=Elley |first=Derek}}</ref>

For the lead part in his cross-border romance ''[[Veer-Zaara]]'' (2004), [[Yash Chopra]] was looking for an actress whose "look and personality could be transformed". Having identified this opportunity in Zinta, who was mostly known for playing westernised characters, he cast her in the title role of Zaara Haayat Khan, a feisty Pakistani woman whose love story with Indian officer Veer Pratap Singh (Shah Rukh Khan) spans three decades amid trials and tribulations.<ref name="Choprint">{{cite web |last1=Jha |first1=Subhash K. |title=There was constant argument between Aditya and me |url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2004/sep/14yash.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=18 April 2020 |language=en |date=14 September 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605114907/http://in.rediff.com/movies/2004/sep/14yash.htm |archive-date=5 June 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Gopal|2012|pp=50–55}} Highly anticipated pre-release, the film had a strong international release, including a screening at the [[Berlin International Film Festival]], and was named Best Film at major Indian award functions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Yash Chopra on Berlin Film Festival Jury |date=18 January 2006 |url=http://www.yashrajfilms.com/news/yc_berlinaile.htm |publisher=[[Yash Raj Films]] |access-date=17 October 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070618144056/http://www1.yashrajfilms.com/news/yc_berlinaile.htm |archive-date=18 June 2007}}</ref><ref>List of awards received by ''Veer-Zaara'':
* {{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Rani-reigns-Shah-rules-at-50th-Filmfare-Awards/articleshow/1034001.cms |title=Rani reigns, Shah rules at 50th Filmfare Awards |newspaper=The Times of India |agency=Times News Network |author1=Rajadhyaksha, Radha |author2=Ansari, Shabana |date=26 February 2005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803052934/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Rani-reigns-Shah-rules-at-50th-Filmfare-Awards/articleshow/1034001.cms |archive-date=3 August 2020 |access-date=3 August 2020}}
* {{cite news |url=https://www.screendaily.com/veer-zaara-wins-at-indian-film-industry-oscars/4023430.article |title=''Veer Zaara'' wins at Indian film industry Oscars |author=Dams, Tim |work=Screen |date=12 June 2005 |access-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803042921/https://www.screendaily.com/veer-zaara-wins-at-indian-film-industry-oscars/4023430.article |archive-date=3 August 2020}}
* {{cite news |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/veer-zaara-dominates-bollywood-awards/295792 |title=''Veer-Zaara'' dominates Bollywood Awards |date=1 May 2005 |access-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live |work=Outlook |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803043328/https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/veer-zaara-dominates-bollywood-awards/295792 |archive-date=3 August 2020}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/mar/28zee.htm |title=''Veer-Zaara'': Hot fave at the Zee awards! |author=Jha, Subhash K. |date=28 March 2005 |access-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live |work=Rediff.com |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803052659/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/mar/28zee.htm |archive-date=3 August 2020}}</ref> With revenues of over {{INRConvert|940|m|year=2004}}, it was [[List of Bollywood films of 2004|that year's top-grossing Hindi film]] both in India and abroad.<ref name="Worldwide gross"/> Zinta's part required her to master the fine nuances of the Urdu language.<ref name="Talk Asia interview"/> Though excited at first, she later "got knots in her stomach" worrying about her performance, but Chopra assured her.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=15 July 2020 |archive-date=19 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319151247/http://www.sify.com/movies/preity-zinta-post-veer-zaara-news-bollywood-kkfvDLihgabsi.html |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/preity-zinta-post-veer-zaara-news-bollywood-kkfvDLihgabsi.html |title=Preity Zinta, post ''Veer-Zaara'' |date=25 November 2004 |url-status=dead |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> Her work resulted in a fourth Filmfare Best Actress nomination, among others.<ref name="awards" /> [[Jitesh Pillai]] wrote of her "tremendous restraint", and Avijit Ghosh of ''[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]'' likewise believed she had delivered her most nuanced performance.<ref>{{cite news |access-date=18 April 2020 |archive-date=23 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223005032/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bollywood/Veer-Zaara/articleshow/923432.cms |first1=Jitesh |last1=Pillai |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bollywood/Veer-Zaara/articleshow/923432.cms |title=Veer Zaara |work=The Times of India  |url-status=live |date=15 November 2004 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1041119/asp/etc/story_4000380.asp |title=Grand passion lore |last=Ghosh |first=Avijit |work=The Telegraph |date=19 November 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208160528/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1041119/asp/etc/story_4000380.asp |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref> [[Derek Elley]] of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' hailed her as "the most interesting young actress of her generation".<ref>{{cite magazine |access-date=21 October 2007 |archive-date=8 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108055811/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117925580?refcatid=31 |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117925580?refcatid=31 |title=New Int'l. Release ''Veer-Zaara'' |date=6 December 2004 |author=Elley, Derek |magazine=Variety |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Veer-Zaara'' was Zinta's second highest-grossing film and third major success in two consecutive years.<ref name="top actresses"/>

Zinta starred opposite [[Govinda (actor)|Govinda]] in the 2005 folk comedy ''[[Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen]]'', a production that had been delayed since 2002.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=12 September 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912165240/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/mar/13news.htm |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/mar/13news.htm |title=''Paanch'', ''Khullam Khulla Pyaar Kare'' releases postponed |work=Rediff.com |date=13 March 2002 |url-status=live}}</ref> The film garnered negative reviews and poor box office returns,<ref name="BOI Filmography" /> and [[Subhash K. Jha]] found Zinta's work to be incompatible with her screen image and acting style.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jha |first1=Subhash K. |title=Govinda makes tacky comedy watchable |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/govinda-makes-tacky-comedy-watchable/story-wV00vbSjmuSIhZdsFMut7H.html |access-date=20 April 2020 |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=4 May 2005 |language=en |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803020326/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/baghjan-gas-well-fire-not-spreading-says-district-administration/story-QqDT967sESh5bJ7YzAOM2M.html |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=22 March 2007 |archive-date=18 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218202036/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/7283/index.html |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/7283/index.html |title=Khullam Khulla Pyar Karen |date=29 April 2005 |author=Adarsh, Taran |url-status=dead |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]}}</ref> Critics and moviegoers were more appreciative that year of [[Siddharth Anand]]'s comedy-drama ''[[Salaam Namaste]]'', which saw Zinta and Saif Ali Khan as a contemporary [[cohabitation|cohabiting]] Indian couple in Australia dealing with an unexpected pregnancy.{{sfnm|1a1=De|1a2=Sarwal|1y=2016|1pp=280–285|2a1=Kumar|2y=2013|2pp=131–132|3a1=Mehta|3y=2017|3p=351}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Pratim D. |author-link1=Pratim D. Gupta |title=Salaam stars, namaste hit |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/salaam-stars-namaste-hit/cid/1277562 |access-date=15 July 2020 |work=The Telegraph |date=13 September 2005 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803033006/https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/salaam-stars-namaste-hit/cid/1277562 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Produced on a big budget by Yash Raj Films,{{sfn|Hassam|2010|p=65}} it was the first Indian feature filmed entirely in Australia and became the year's highest-grossing Indian production outside of India and overall [[List of Hindi films of 2005|third-highest-grossing Hindi film]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/bollywood-on-bourke-street-20050513-ge05j3.html |title=Bollywood on Bourke Street |newspaper=[[The Age]] |date=13 May 2005 |agency=[[Australian Associated Press]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017083125/https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/bollywood-on-bourke-street-20050513-ge05j3.html |archive-date=17 October 2019 |access-date=6 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Karena |first1=Cynthia |title=Salaam Namaste: From Mumbai to Melbourne |journal=Metro Magazine: Media & Education Magazine |date=January 2005 |issue=146/147 |pages=86–88 |url=https://search.informit.org/doi/epdf/10.3316/ielapa.043563294014837 |language=EN |issn=0312-2654}}</ref> earning {{INRConvert|572|m|year=2005}}.<ref name="Overseas market"/> Zinta received a number of Best Actress nominations for playing the protagonist Ambar Malhotra, a single modern young woman who leaves India to make her own life in Melbourne and works as a radio host while studying medicine.{{sfnm|1a1=De|1a2=Sarwal|1y=2016|1pp=280–285|2a1=Kumar|2y=2013|2pp=131–132|3a1=Mehta|3y=2017|3p=351}}<ref name="awards" /> Devyani Srivastava of ''[[Mid-Day]]'' considered the independent, strong-minded character of Ambar to be a rare Hindi film heroine, and Taran Adarsh argued that Zinta had given "her most accomplished performance to date".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Srivastava |first1=Devyani |title=Pyaar mein twist |url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2005/sep/118394.htm |access-date=15 June 2020 |work=[[Mid-Day]] |date=11 September 2005 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130830194925/http://www.mid-day.com/news/2005/sep/118394.htm |archive-date=30 August 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=15 September 2007 |archive-date=10 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910063426/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/65071 |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/65071 |title=Salaam Namaste |date=9 September 2005 |author=Adarsh, Taran |url-status=dead |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]}}</ref> Anita Gates of ''[[The New York Times]]'' noted Ambar's negative shades but admired Zinta's positive personality, by which she remains likable even despite uncharitable traits in her characters.<ref>{{cite news |author=Gates, Anita |title=True to the Bollywood Look, While Defying Traditions |date=10 September 2005 |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/2005/09/10/movies/10nama.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=7 February 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130830194841/http://movies.nytimes.com/2005/09/10/movies/10nama.html?_r=0 |archive-date=30 August 2013}}</ref>
[[File:PreityZinta.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Zinta at a promotional event for ''[[Jaan-E-Mann]]'' in 2006]]

Zinta received further success in 2006, starring in Karan Johar's drama ''[[Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna]]'' alongside Shah Rukh Khan, [[Rani Mukerji]], [[Abhishek Bachchan]], and [[Amitabh Bachchan]].<ref name="BOI Filmography" /><ref>{{cite news |access-date=2 August 2020 |archive-date=20 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061120094627/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2006/08/18/stories/2006081800170200.htm |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2006/08/18/stories/2006081800170200.htm |title=On marriage and infidelity – ''Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehana'' |author=Kamath, Sudhish |author-link=Sudhish Kamath |date=18 August 2006 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> The film became [[List of Hindi films of 2006|one of the biggest box-office hits in India]], earning {{INRConvert|635|m|year=2006}}, and grossed over {{INRConvert|496|m|year=2006}} abroad{{emdash}}the biggest Bollywood success of all-time in the overseas market up until then.<ref>{{cite news |title=Top Worldwide Grossers 2006 |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/worldwide-total-gross.php?year=2006 |access-date=10 January 2023 |publisher=Box Office India}}</ref> It was Zinta's fourth overseas top-earner in four consecutive years.<ref name="Overseas market">{{cite web |title=Top Lifetime Grossers Overseas (IND Rs) |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=337&catName=TGlmZXRpbWUgSW4gSU5EIFJz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109193432/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=337&catName=TGlmZXRpbWUgSW4gSU5EIFJz |archive-date=9 November 2013 |publisher=[[Box Office India]] |access-date=17 September 2010}}</ref> Revolving around two unhappily married couples in New York, the film featured Zinta as Rhea Saran, an ambitious fashion magazine editor whose husband begins an adulterous affair with a family acquaintance.{{sfnm|1a1=Gopal|1y=2012|1p=77|2a1=Mishra|2y=2008|2pp=477–479}} She described the part as an attempt to shed her vivacious public image.<ref name="bubbly image">{{cite web |title=I'm sick of my bubbly image: Preity Zinta |date=17 March 2006 |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/i-m-sick-of-my-bubbly-image-preity-zinta-news-bollywood-kkfvpnghabj.html |website=[[Sify]] |access-date=5 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820031203/http://www.sify.com/movies/i-m-sick-of-my-bubbly-image-preity-zinta-news-bollywood-kkfvpnghabj.html |archive-date=20 August 2012}}</ref> ''Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'' polarised critics, but ''[[The Indian Express]]'' approved of Zinta's effort, noting her for having "walked with poise, sat with grace, smiled with composure and spoken with calmness".<ref>{{cite news |access-date=30 August 2008 |archive-date=21 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421225514/http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=72324 |url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=72324 |title=Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna |date=12 August 2006 |author=Aprajita, Anil |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |url-status=live}}</ref> Other reviews questioned the limited length of her role.<ref>{{cite news |access-date=4 May 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803020608/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/kabhi-alvida-naa-kehna/movie-review/1906317.cms |first1=Nikhat |last1=Kazmi |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/kabhi-alvida-naa-kehna/movie-review/1906317.cms |title=''Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'' Movie Review |work=The Times of India  |url-status=live |date=11 August 2006}}</ref> In later years, ''Filmfare'' and ''[[Verve (Indian magazine)|Verve]]'' lauded the character for breaking stereotypes of screen portrayals of married women in Hindi films.<ref>{{cite news |access-date=4 May 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803020528/https://www.filmfare.com/features/10-reasons-why-we-still-love-kabhi-alvida-naa-kehna-15045.html |first1=Ushnota |last1=Paul |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/10-reasons-why-we-still-love-kabhi-alvida-naa-kehna-15045.html |title=10 reasons why we still love ''Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'' |work=Filmfare  |url-status=live |date=11 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |access-date=2 July 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200803020453/https://www.vervemagazine.in/arts-and-culture/a-nostaligic-re-living-of-kabhi-alvida-naa-kehna |first1=Shraddha |last1=Jahagirdar-Saxena |url=https://www.vervemagazine.in/arts-and-culture/a-nostaligic-re-living-of-kabhi-alvida-naa-kehna |title=A nostalgic re-living of ''Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'' |url-status=live |work=[[Verve (Indian magazine)|Verve]] |date=11 August 2018}}</ref>

Zinta next appeared in [[Shirish Kunder]]'s romantic musical ''[[Jaan-E-Mann]]'' (2006). She played Piya, the cynosure of two men in the United States ([[Salman Khan]] and Akshay Kumar).<ref>{{cite news |title=Exceptional roles in Hollywood acceptable: Priety |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200609201360.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223174417/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200609201360.htm |archive-date=23 December 2007 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=20 September 2006 |access-date=6 November 2007 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> The film opened to mixed reviews from critics and its eventual box office profit was poor.<ref name="BOI Filmography" /> Despite being mostly criticised for taking a role of minimal importance, she was complimented on her performance and appearance.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=20 November 2006 |archive-date=1 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101132210/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masands-verdict-jaanemann-jars/24411-8-p1.html |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masands-verdict-jaanemann-jars/24411-8-p1.html |title=Masand's verdict: ''Jaan-e-mann'' jars |publisher=CNN-IBN |date=20 October 2006 |author=Masand, Rajeev |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Sen, Raja |title=Akshay's goofy laugh wins you over |date=20 October 2006 |url=http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2006/oct/20jaan1.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=20 November 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061119064035/http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2006/oct/20jaan1.htm |archive-date=19 November 2006}}</ref> She said 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".<ref>{{cite web |author=Banerjee, Akanksha |title=Success came early to me: Preity |date=26 September 2006 |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/success-came-early-to-me-preity/22574-8-p1.html |publisher=CNN-IBN |access-date=31 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220192741/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/success-came-early-to-me-preity/22574-8-p1.html |archive-date=20 February 2009}}</ref> Even less successful was her next turn as [[British Pakistanis|British Pakistani]] woman Alvira Khan in her third project with Yash Raj Films, the musical comedy ''[[Jhoom Barabar Jhoom]]'' (2007), co-starring Abhishek Bachchan, [[Bobby Deol]] and [[Lara Dutta]]. The film was a commercial failure in India and critics panned her performance;<ref name="BOI Filmography" /><ref>{{cite news |access-date=9 April 2008 |archive-date=14 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414205815/http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/17/stories/2007061750150200.htm |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/17/stories/2007061750150200.htm |title=''Jhoom Barabar Jhoom'' goes bust film reviews |date=17 June 2007 |author=Us Salam, Ziya |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''The Times of India'' described her as "too plastic"<ref>{{cite news |access-date=14 September 2007 |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105124043/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Jhoom-Barabar-Jhoom/movie-review/2127129.cms |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Jhoom-Barabar-Jhoom/movie-review/2127129.cms |title=Jhoom Barabar Jhoom |date=16 June 2007 |author=Kazmi, Nikhat |newspaper=The Times of India |url-status=live}}</ref> and Rediff.com concluded, "From accent to emotion, Preity is plain and simple insufferable in this film."<ref>{{cite web |author=Sen, Raja |title=Jhoom Bore-abar Jhoom |date=15 June 2007 |url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2007/jun/15jhoom1.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=20 May 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926153736/http://in.rediff.com/movies/2007/jun/15jhoom1.htm |archive-date=26 September 2008}}</ref>