Bollywood actress Preity Zinta is on seventh heaven after winning the best actress award at the 44th Chicago International Film Festival.

Preity won Silver Hugo Award for Best Actress "for her strong yet subtle performance as a woman struggling to keep her dreams despite brutal realities" in Toronto-based director Deepa Mehta’s film Heaven On Earth .

In the movie, Preity plays a Punjabi wife who is a victim of domestic violence.

"I'm walking on sunshine. I can't believe where I am," Preity is quoted by IANS.

Preity says she was unaware about the award until director Deepa Mehta informed her.

"It was my director Deepa Mehta who informed me on Saturday afternoon that I had won. I couldn't go to Chicago, and neither could Deepa Without any lobbying I've done it. I am so happy and excited," Preity told the news agency.

Preity is also thankful to actor Anupam Kher for helping her hone her Punjabi diction.

"I attended his acting school (Actor Prepares) to get my Punjabi right. He taught me how to pronounce the words properly. He has been a blessing," says the actress.

Preity has been shunning the usual candyfloss roles in Bollywood films of late. She is experimenting with different roles in The Last Lear , Har Pall and the recently released Heroes .