February 16, 2009, (Sawf News) - Preity Zinta has been nominated for a Genie Award in the 'Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role' category for her poignant portrayal of Chand, a battered wife, in Deepa Mehta's Heaven on Earth.

Other actresses nominated in the category are 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).

Heaven on Earth has also been nominated for Best Original Screenplay.

Genie Awards, recognizing the best of Canadian cinema, are given by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television (ACCT).

Preity's nomination is the first ever nomination by an Indian in these awards.

The awards will be announced on the 4th of April at Ottawa in Canada.

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