Pooja Hegde: Lesser-Known Facts About The Star Who’s Now A National Favourite
The captivating track “Monica” from the upcoming Tamil film Coolie has taken social media by storm, with Pooja Hegde’s electrifying dance performance emerging as a viral highlight.
Not far behind in public memory is her graceful and fiery performance from Retro, where she essayed the role of Dr. Rukmini with elegance and conviction, reinforcing her versatility not just as a dancer but also as an actor.
From her early days in pageantry to reigning over South Indian cinema and making significant inroads into Bollywood, Pooja Hegde’s journey is one marked by determination, discipline, and an enduring love for the performing arts.
Born on 13 October 1990 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, Pooja Hegde hails from a Tulu-speaking Bunt family originally from Udupi, Karnataka. Her father, Manjunath Hegde, is a criminal lawyer, while her mother, Latha Hegde, is an immunologist and entrepreneur. Her elder brother, Rishabh Hegde, is an orthopaedic surgeon.
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Fluent in English, Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, and later Telugu, Pooja considers Bengaluru her spiritual hometown. She received her schooling at Maneckji Cooper Education Trust School, Mumbai, and later graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from M.M.K. College. A trained classical dancer in Bharatanatyam, she also possesses foundational training in classical music.
Her foray into pageantry began when a representative from Miss India spotted her at a college event. After being crowned Miss India Talented 2009, she was named second runner-up in the Miss Universe India 2010 competition.
Offers from prominent production houses followed, but she waited for the right script, eventually debuting with Mugamoodi in 2012—a decision encouraged by her mother.
Pooja made her acting debut in Tamil cinema with Mysskin’s Mugamoodi (2012), playing the spirited and kind-hearted Shakthi opposite Jiiva. She earned critical appreciation for her role and was nominated for several debut awards. Her performance laid the foundation for a promising career.
In 2014, she made her Telugu debut with Oka Laila Kosam opposite Naga Chaitanya. Her charming portrayal of Nandana, along with her sincere effort to learn Telugu, garnered audience and critical praise. The same year, she starred in Mukunda opposite Varun Tej, further cementing her presence in Telugu cinema.
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Her Bollywood debut came in 2016 with Mohenjo-Daro opposite Hrithik Roshan. Though the film received mixed reviews, it marked her entry into the Hindi film industry and showcased her ability to lead in big-budget ventures.
Pooja’s breakthrough came in 2017 with DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham opposite Allu Arjun. Her portrayal of a glamorous and modern young woman was a departure from her earlier roles. The film was a commercial hit and earned her wider recognition.
From there, her profile soared. In 2018, she appeared in three Telugu films, including a special song in Rangasthalam and a leading role in Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava opposite Jr. NTR. Her role in Aravinda Sametha was lauded for breaking the typical glam mould, portraying a woman of depth and influence.
2019 saw her in Maharshi with Mahesh Babu and in Gaddalakonda Ganesh, where her chemistry with Varun Tej was appreciated. She also returned to Hindi cinema in Housefull 4, a commercial blockbuster despite critical setbacks.
Pooja’s biggest commercial success came with Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020), where her role as Amulya, a confident and stylish entrepreneur, won her accolades. Her dance in “Butta Bomma” became a cultural phenomenon, affirming her star power. The film broke several records and placed her among Telugu cinema’s top actresses.
In Most Eligible Bachelor (2021), she played a stand-up comedian, a role she prepared for by immersing herself in the world of live comedy. Her nuanced performance earned her the SIIMA Best Actress award.
2022 was a mixed bag. She starred in Radhe Shyam opposite Prabhas, one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. While her performance was praised, the film underperformed commercially.
Her return to Tamil cinema in Beast opposite Vijay was marked by the viral success of the “Arabic Kuthu” song. Despite mixed critical reception, the film was a box office success.
She appeared briefly in Acharya and performed in F3: Fun and Frustration. However, Cirkus, her Hindi film with Ranveer Singh, did not fare well critically or commercially.
In 2023, she starred opposite Salman Khan in Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, where she played a Telugu girl whose character brought transformation in the male lead. Despite her spirited performance, the film was another underwhelming box-office affair.
After a brief hiatus, Pooja returned in 2025 with Deva alongside Shahid Kapoor. Though her role was limited, she was back in the spotlight. She followed this with Retro opposite Suriya, where her performance as a veterinarian was well received, contributing to the film’s commercial success.
She is set to reunite with Vijay in Jana Nayagan, make a special appearance in Coolie with Rajinikanth, and star in upcoming films including Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai opposite Varun Dhawan and Kanchana 4, a continuation of the popular horror-comedy series.
Beyond cinema, Pooja Hegde is one of the most followed celebrities in South India on Instagram. A fashion and beauty icon, she endorses several brands including Garnier, Citra, Maaza, and Bhima Jewellers. In 2022, she performed at Dubai’s Expo 2020 for the Da-Bangg Tour and served as a judge at Miss World 2023. She is also a philanthropist. Her foundation, All About Love, supports underprivileged children in the areas of health and education across India.
