Last year at this time Preity had injured herself during a vacation.

"The year has been a tough one for me," groaned Preity. "Not only did I suffer a serious injury, it has also been a year of tough challenges for me as an actor."

"In 2007, I went into another kind of cinema altogether. From doing Yash Raj Films to playing a woman who finds herself at the receiving end of life in Heaven On Earth has been quite a creative and cultural shock for me," Preity said.

The actress is, however, quick to point out the film isn't only about a battered wife. "It's about all the people who leave India and hope to find paradise abroad, only to be stuck on wretched 16-hour jobs with no happiness or sunshine. I never knew how such marginalized women existed until I played one," she said.

"Deepa Mehta and Heaven On Earth have proved eye openers for me. But the film was tough on me emotionally. In the month that I was in Toronto, I went out just twice and that too to maintain my sanity. I really need a break now," added the actress who had only one commercial release this year.

Preity will return from her vacation in the second week of January with a clear date diary.” I haven't said yes to any of the scripts I've heard. I'll take a call when I return from my holiday. But yes, 2007 has been my year of unconventional films. So 2008 will probably be a year of hardcore masala movies."

Acting is what she does, but Preity Zinta is happier being a concerned citizen these days. Ask her which of the two accolades she enjoyed more — being awarded a concerned citizen award or being voted as one of the most beautiful women in India?

"Phew! That’s a lot happening, eh? Well, I felt great when I got the award for my work outside cinema. It really did bring a smile to my face. It makes me proud to be recognized as a good citizen. Things did change for me quite a bit after the Tsunami. I almost died there and I lost some of my friends. And yes, facing death changes the way you look at life," says Preity philosophically.

However, that was not the first time PZ faced death. In fact, that year began on a very low note for her. "I almost lost my life when I had an accident while skiing. Then, I lost my dog and things just did not fall into place."

But for her, being low doesn’t mean that life will take a backseat. "I am a survivor. After every storm you will find me standing tall. The woods are lovely, dark and deep/I have miles to go before I sleep," she smiles as she quotes Robert Frost.

For PZ, beautiful is the deed she does and not what she looks like. "Yes, we all love compliments. But one must not forget that behind this beautiful face is the hard work of my make-up artist, my hairstylist and a photographer who takes amazing pictures. If people find me beautiful for what I look on the outside, well thanks. But what makes me more happy is when they appreciate my inner beauty," says Preity.

Preity will soon be seen in Deepa Mehta’s Heaven On Earth. "It’s too early to comment on it. All I can say is that it will take me to another level of acting. And, I give most of the credit to Rituda with whom I did The Last Lear, and Arjun Rampal who pushed me into doing it. I never looked westwards, this just happened by chance."

Another thing that recently happened to her by chance was a catfight rumour. "This is bizarre! I heard recently that Bipasha Basu and I are at loggerheads. What’s wrong with people? Bipasha is a very sweet girl and very sexy too. Why would we be fighting? I have heard the most bizarre rumours about myself. Once I was told that I had reportedly committed suicide!" she says with a hearty laugh.