Pooja Hegde Biography, Age, Family, Career, Wiki & More
In the glittering world of Indian cinema, where stories come to life and aspirations come true, Pooja Hegde is an inspiration to talent, beauty, and unwavering willpower. Pooja was born in Udupi, Karnataka, on October 13, 1990. Her path from a schoolgirl in Mumbai to a well-known actress in Bollywood and South Indian films is nothing short of a cinematic odyssey.
Quick View
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Pooja |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Birthday | October 13, 1990 |
| Age Now | 32 years |
| Home Town | Udupi, Karnataka, India |
| Current Town | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Residency | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Occupation | Actress, Model |
1990
Pooja Born, Early Years and Education
– Pooja Hegde is born on October 13 in Udupi, Karnataka, India.
– Pooja is raised in Mumbai, Maharashtra, in a Tulu-speaking Bunt family.
– She attends Maneckji Cooper Education Trust School, Mumbai, for her schooling.
– Pooja participates in dance and fashion shows during her time at M. M. K. College.
2009
Miss Universe India
– Competes in Miss India 2009 but is eliminated in an early round.
– Despite the setback, she re-applies and becomes the second runner-up in the Miss Universe India 2010 competition.
2012
Career Beginnings
– Makes her acting debut in the Tamil superhero film “Mugamoodi.”
– Despite mixed reviews, Pooja’s charm is noted in her portrayal of the lead character Shakthi.
2014
Telugu Film Debut
– Makes her Telugu debut in “Oka Laila Kosam” opposite Naga Chaitanya, receiving praise for her performance.
– Nominated for Best Actress at the 62nd Filmfare Awards (South).
2016
Bollywood Debut
– Makes her Bollywood debut opposite Hrithik Roshan in “Mohenjo Daro.”
– Despite the film’s commercial challenges, Pooja’s Bollywood journey begins.
2017
Commercial Success in Telugu
Appears in Telugu-language film “Duvvada Jagannadham” alongside Allu Arjun, contributing to the film’s success at the box office.
2019
Return to Bollywood
Returns to Bollywood with the comedy film “Housefull 4,” which becomes a significant box office success, grossing over ₹296 crores worldwide.
2020
Telugu Triumphs Continue
Stars in the Telugu action drama “Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo” opposite Allu Arjun, which becomes the third highest-grossing Telugu film of all time.
2021
Critical Acclaim in 2021
Receives critical acclaim for her role in “Most Eligible Bachelor,” winning the SIIMA Award for Best Actress – Telugu.
2022
Multilingual Ventures in 2022
– Stars in the multilingual period romance “Radhe Shyam” and the Tamil film “Beast.”
– Also appears in “Acharya,” “Cirkus,” and the dance number in “F3.”
2023
Stars Opposite Salman Khan
– Stars opposite Salman Khan in “Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan,” released during Eid.
– Faces commercial challenges with the film.
Early Years and Education
Pooja, a proud native of Mangalore, grew up stumbling through the colorful alleys of Bombay. Born to Manjunath and Latha Hegde, she had a strong connection to the Tulu-speaking Bunt family throughout her childhood. Speaking Tulu, English, Hindi, and Marathi fluently, Pooja’s linguistic agility reflected her multicultural upbringing.
Her journey into the spotlight started at the Maneckji Cooper Education Trust School in Mumbai, where she received her early education. Pooja was a regular participant in dance and fashion events at M. M. K. College, and her stage presence suggested that she was a rising star.
Family Table
| Family Member | Relationship | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Manjunath Hegde | Father | – Originally from Udupi, Karnataka |
| Latha Hegde | Mother | – Originally from Udupi, Karnataka |
| Rishabh Hegde | Brother | – Orthopaedic Surgeon – Elder brother of Pooja Hegde |
Physical Stats
| Physical Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
| Weight | 53 kg |
| Figure Measurements | 34-25-34 inches |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Brown |
Miss Universe India and Pageant Days
Pooja Hegde entered the world of beauty pageants in 2009 and competed in the Miss India pageant. Despite suffering an early elimination setback, she made a comeback in 2010 and placed second in the I Am She–Miss Universe India competition. This historic accomplishment paved the basis for a career that would cross boundaries by providing access to a world outside of runways.
Diving into Cinema
Pooja’s cinematic career began in 2012 with the Mysskin-directed Tamil superhero picture “Mugamoodi”. Pooja was a mixed bag in terms of criticism and commercial success, but her charm did not go unappreciated. Her first steps into the cinematic tapestry were characterized by her portrayal as Shakthi, a fun-loving teenager who inspires the male lead.
Film List
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Language(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Mugamoodi | Shakthi | Tamil | |
| 2014 | Oka Laila Kosam | Nandana | Telugu | |
| 2014 | Mukunda | Gopika | Telugu | |
| 2016 | Mohenjo Daro | Chaani | Hindi | |
| 2017 | DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham | Pooja | Telugu | |
| 2018 | Rangasthalam | Jigelu Rani | Telugu | Special appearance in song “Jigelu Rani” |
| 2018 | Saakshyam | Soundarya Lahari | Telugu | |
| 2018 | Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava | Aravinda | Telugu | |
| 2019 | Maharshi | Pooja Mahalakshmi | Telugu | |
| 2019 | Gaddalakonda Ganesh | Sridevi | Telugu | |
| 2019 | Housefull 4 | Rajkumari Mala/Pooja Thakral | Hindi | |
| 2020 | Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo | Amulya | Telugu | |
| 2021 | Most Eligible Bachelor | Vibha | Telugu | |
| 2022 | Radhe Shyam | Dr. Prerana Chakravarthy | Telugu, Hindi | Bilingual film |
| 2022 | Beast | Preethi | Tamil | |
| 2022 | Acharya | Neelambari | Telugu | |
| 2022 | F3: Fun and Frustration | Herself | Telugu | Special appearance in song “Life Ante Itta Vundaala” |
| 2022 | Cirkus | Mala | Hindi | |
| 2023 | Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan | Bhagyalaxmi Gundamaneni | Hindi | |
| 2024 | Deva | TBA | Hindi | Filming |
Telugu Successes
Pooja was warmly welcomed by the Telugu cinema industry right away. She was commended for her captivating performance in “Oka Laila Kosam” (2014), which starred her opposite Naga Chaitanya. Her commitment to the position was demonstrated by her acquisition of Telugu. Her standing in the business was further cemented by “Mukunda,” another Telugu film that was released in the same year.
Actors from Bollywood
When Pooja Hegde decided to star opposite Hrithik Roshan in the Ashutosh Gowariker-directed Hindi film “Mohenjo Daro” (2016), she answered the call of Bollywood in 2014. Even though the movie got mixed reviews, Pooja’s first feature demonstrated her versatility in a variety of cinema genres.
Marketing High Points and Low Points
With the Telugu film “Duvvada Jagannadham” (2017), Pooja’s career took off and she received praise for her amazing on-screen presence. After that, her work with Varun Tej in “Gaddalakonda Ganesh” (2019) and Jr. NTR in “Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava” (2018) demonstrated her ability to work well with leading men.
Farhad Samji’s 2019 Bollywood comedy-drama “Housefull 4” was her comeback to the Hindi film industry. In addition to being a big financial hit, this multi-starrer demonstrated Pooja’s adaptability in taking on a variety of roles.
Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo is the milestone
Pooja Hegde accomplished a noteworthy feat in 2020 with “Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo.” With a gross of over ₹280 crores, the Trivikram-directed film, which starred Allu Arjun, went on to become the third highest-grossing Telugu film. A career peak was reached when she won the SIIMA Award for Best Actress – Telugu for her depiction of Amulya.
Critically Acclaimed Most Eligible Bachelor
Following the popularity of “Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo,” Pooja featured in Bommarillu Bhaskar’s “Most Eligible Bachelor” (2021). Her act as a stand-up comedian opposite Akhil Akkineni won her another SIIMA Award for Best Actress-Telugu and received critical acclaim.
Diverse Roles and 2022 Ventures
With her roles in the multilingual historical romance “Radhe Shyam” with Prabhas and the Tamil film “Beast” with Vijay, Pooja Hegde’s career took two interesting swings in 2022. Her performance in “Radhe Shyam” was praised, but “Beast” was her first Tamil film appearance in nine years. She had commercial difficulties with her roles in “Acharya” and “Cirkus” despite these triumphs.
A Glimpse into 2023
Farhad Samji’s “Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan,” starring Pooja Hegde opposite Salman Khan, was released in 2023. Despite receiving praise for her performance, the movie had box office difficulties. Pooja’s unwavering perseverance is demonstrated by her brief cameo in “Acharya” and her dance performance in “F3.”
Outside the Silver Screen
Pooja Hegde’s impact is not limited to movie sets. Rank 7th on Forbes India’s Most Influential Stars on Instagram in South film for 2021, she is one among the most well-liked actors in Telugu film. Her constant presence in the media is demonstrated by her regular inclusions in Times’ Most Desirable Woman list and her brand sponsorships for Citra, pTron, and Hindustan Unilever’s skincare range.
Charity: It’s All About Love
Pooja Hegde is a kind humanitarian behind the surface. Her “All About Love” foundation works to improve the health and education of disadvantaged kids. She demonstrated her dedication to social problems by providing ration packages to 100 families during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Net Worth and Brand Ambassadorship
Pooja Hegde has an incredible net worth of 51 crores INR (about $7 million USD) as of 2022. Her financial success is a result of her varied revenue sources, which include film productions and brand endorsements for businesses like pTron and Citra. Due to Pooja Hegde’s celebrity power, she is reportedly paid around 50 lakh rupees a month and between 3 and 4 crores for each film. She also enjoys lucrative brand ambassador assignments.
Awards and Accolades
Not everyone has overlooked Pooja Hegde’s outstanding performances. From being nominated for Best Female Debutant – Tamil at the 2nd South Indian International Movie Awards (2013) for the film “Mugamoodi” to taking home the Critics Award for Best Actress –
Telugu for Zee Cine Awards’ “Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava” (2018) Telugu’s trophy case attests to her skill.
Awards and Nominations Table
| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2nd SIIMA Awards | Best Female Debutant – Tamil | Mugamoodi | Nominated |
| 2015 | 4th SIIMA Awards | Best Female Debut – Telugu | Oka Laila Kosam | Nominated |
| 2015 | 62nd Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Telugu | Oka Laila Kosam | Nominated |
| 2017 | Zee Telugu Golden Awards | Entertainer Of The Year (Female) | DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham | Won |
| 2019 | 66th Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Telugu | Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava | Nominated |
| 2019 | Sakshi Excellence Awards | Most Popular Actress of the Year | – | Won |
| 2020 | 9th SIIMA Awards | Best Actress – Telugu | Maharshi | Nominated |
| 2020 | Zee Cine Awards Telugu | Favourite Actress | – | Won |
| 2021 | 9th SIIMA Awards | Best Actress – Telugu | Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo | Won |
| 2021 | 7th Sakshi Excellence Awards | Most Popular Actress of the Year | – | Won |
| 2022 | 67th Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Telugu | Most Eligible Bachelor | Nominated |
| 2022 | 10th SIIMA Awards | Best Actress – Telugu | Most Eligible Bachelor | Won |
| 2022 | 10th SIIMA Awards | Critics Award for Best Actress – Telugu | Most Eligible Bachelor | Won |
| 2022 | 10th SIIMA Awards | Youth Icon (Female) | – | Won |
| 2023 | Bollywood Hungama Style Icons | Most Stylish Mould Breaking Star (Female) | – | Nominated |
| 2023 | Pinkvilla Style Icons Awards | Stylish Game Changer – Female | – | Won |
Pooja’s Favorite Things
| Category | Favorite |
|---|---|
| Food | Indian Cuisine |
| Color | White |
| Actor | Shah Rukh Khan |
| Actress | Meryl Streep |
| Movie Genre | Romantic Comedy |
| Holiday Destination | Maldives |
| Hobbies | Dancing, Traveling |
| Book Genre | Fiction |
| Music Genre | Bollywood, Pop |
| Fashion Brand | Sabyasachi, Manish Malhotra |
| Sports | Not publicly disclosed |
Some Lesser-Known Facts About Pooja
- Multilingual Skills: Pooja Hegde is not only fluent in several Indian languages like Tulu, Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil, but she is also proficient in English and Marathi. Her linguistic versatility has undoubtedly contributed to her success in the diverse Indian film industry.
- Early Pageant Days: Before entering the world of cinema, Pooja participated in the Miss India 2009 competition. Although she was eliminated in an early round, she returned the following year and secured the second runner-up position in the Miss Universe India 2010 competition.
- Educational Background: Pooja Hegde pursued her education at Maneckji Cooper Education Trust School in Mumbai. She later attended M. M. K. College, where she actively participated in dance and fashion shows. Despite her busy schedule, she managed to complete her M.Com degree.
- Modeling Career Beginnings: Her journey into the entertainment industry began with modeling. Pooja gained attention by winning the second runner-up title at the 2010 I Am She–Miss Universe India pageant. This early recognition opened doors for her in the world of fashion and entertainment.
- Debut in Tamil Superhero Film: Pooja made her acting debut in the Tamil film “Mugamoodi” (2012), a superhero film directed by Mysskin. Despite mixed reviews for the film, her performance was noted, and she earned a nomination for the Best Tamil Female Debut Actress at the South Indian International Movie Awards.
- Critical Acclaim for Telugu Debut: Her second film, the Telugu romantic drama “Oka Laila Kosam” (2014), opposite Naga Chaitanya, received praise for her performance. This marked the beginning of her successful journey in Telugu cinema.
- Bollywood Break with Hrithik Roshan: Pooja Hegde’s Bollywood debut was opposite Hrithik Roshan in the period film “Mohenjo Daro” (2016). While the film received mixed reviews, Pooja’s confident debut performance was acknowledged by critics.
- Social Causes: Pooja Hegde is involved in philanthropy through her foundation “All About Love.” The foundation focuses on supporting underprivileged children in the areas of education and health. She has also made charitable contributions, including donating to the Cure Foundation.
- Recognition as a Style Icon: Pooja Hegde is not just acclaimed for her acting skills but is also recognized as a style icon. She has been featured in style and beauty lists, and her fashion choices often garner attention and praise from fans and the media.
- Dance Enthusiast: Apart from acting and modeling, Pooja is known for her passion for dance. She has showcased her dancing skills in various films and public appearances. Her dance performances, especially in popular songs like “Butta Bomma,” have been widely appreciated.
Summary
Pooja Hegde’s adventure in cinema continues as this chapter comes to an end. With exciting roles in upcoming films like “Beast,” “Cirkus,” and “Radhe Shyam,” the actress is still a fascinating presence in the dynamic world of Indian cinema.
