The dimpled beauty Preity Zinta has been nominated for a ‘Genie Award’ in the “Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role” group for her riveting performance in Deepa Mehta’s ‘Heaven On Earth’.

Due credit goes to the pretty Preity who gave her consent to play unconventional character unlikely of her bubbly image. She has been seen experimenting with her acting skills recently as she endorsed the eloquent yet significant characters in ‘The Last Lear’, ‘Heroes’ and ‘Heaven On Earth’.

The Awards will be held on April 4 at Ottawa in Canada.

One more thing that makes the achievement more gratifying is that Preity is the first Indian actress to have earned this nomination.

Preity will be competing with Hollywood actresses nominated under the same category including Isabelle Blais (Borderline, Susan Sarandon (Emotional Arithmetic), Marianne Fortier (Maman est chez le coiffeur / Mommy is at the Hairdresser's) and Ellen Burstyn (The Stone Angel).

A source close to Miss Zinta said, “The news took Preity by surprise. She is delighted.”

On her achievement, Preity said, “I am super excited. I have crossed my fingers and toes and everything else. I cannot stop smiling as Susan Sarandon and Ellen Burstyn have been nominated under the same category as me. They both are Oscar winners. It is an absolute honour for me to find myself amidst such achievers. I cannot stop thanking Deepa (Mehta) for making me part of Heaven on Earth.”

Moreover, Deepa’s ‘Heaven on Earth’ has also been nominated for Best Original Screenplay.

Genie Awards are given out to recognize the best of Canadian cinema by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television (ACCT).