25-year-old Mangalorean model and actress Pooja Hegde stepped into the acting profession in style – in the lead opposite Hrithik Roshan in ‘Mohenjo Daro’ directed by the celebrated Ashutosh Gowarikar. Not many debut in Bollywood in that style. Fluent in Hindi, English, and Tulu languages, she was crowned as the second runner up in the Miss Universe India, 2010 competition. Pooja is a well-trained Bharatnatyam Dancer and is an M.Com graduate.
MohenjoDaro has done well at the box office, collecting over Rs: 100 Crore worldwide till date, but a little known fact is that it is not Ashutosh Govarikar or Hrithik Roshan who selected her for the movie, it wasAshutosh’s wife who spotted her in an advertisement for Maestro Scooty with Ranbir Kapoor. The rest is history.
She spoke to Karnataka Today’s Cindrella Daryani on her journey with the stars.
Excerpts:
Being a Bollywood debutante, what kind of reaction did you receive from the industry? Whom do you credit for your success?
Despite being a debutante, I got a welcoming approach in Bollywood. I enjoyed working with the entire team from make-up artists to costume designers. Besides, I got a chance to work with the kind and supportive people. Of course I give credit to my parents who have been very encouraging and comforting throughout my journey in filmdom since participating in Miss India competition in 2010, but I do miss my parents a lot when I am on long outdoor shoots.
How was your experience working with Hrithik Roshan? Any suggestions you received from him?
Hrithik is charming and has a great sense of humour. He was very entertaining and we had a lot of fun, lots of jolly moments together. The ease and comfort level on the sets worked for me to give my best performance. I had never felt in the span of two years that he was an overpowering person. He shared plenty of tips with me. Also I learned a lot, watching his performance.
The only thing that made me nervous, was dancing with him. He is a brilliant dancer and whether I would be able to match his dancing was a matter of concern.
In the past you have referred to him as your Godfather.. Can you comment?
Those reports are untrue and I have never stated that he is a Godfather to me. He is a senior actor and I have a lot of admiration and respect for him.
You must have missed working in Telugu and Tamil films. What kind of offers are you receiving now? What do you plan next?
It’s true I received many offers to act in films directed by leading Tamil and Telugu film directors in the last two years. However, I was bound by the terms of my contract with the Mohenjo Daro team, not to sign any new project until the release of Mohenjo Daro.
Certainly now, I wish to sign a Telugu, Tamil or Kannada movie with a good script. I really miss working in the Southern film industry. So far, I have not plannedmy journey in filmdom from Southern Cinema to Bollywood. It all happened by chance andovera period of time. I will switch my priorities according to the offers that I receive in the future.
We often hear Aishwarya Bachchan’s name when it comes to Mangaluru. Many are still unaware that you too hail from Mangaluru. How often do you visit the city?
I come once in a year to the city. I have severalkinfolkthere. The key purpose of visiting the city is to unwind and just relax at my mum and dad’s house, which is located in the midst of lush greens. I feel I am in the midst of nature and it is so wonderful and relaxing for me. One of the things that I love to eat while in the city is the popular Ideal’s Gadbad ice-cream and while in Mumbai, I miss it a lot.
Are you prepared for the highs and lows of the film industry?
Well, that’s the reality of the industry and I am mentally prepared for it. I wish more highs than lows in my career though.
Did you always want to be an actress?
Not really, I was a tomboy, and never looked at myself as a beautiful young girl or tried to do what other girls did at the same age. For instance, I have never touched my mum’s lipstick that lay on her dressing table. Whatever I am today—was a master plan and destined.
One day in 2010, someone from Miss India asked me to participate in the beauty pageant. I surprised both, that person and myself when I said no, I am not that beautiful and should not be asked to participate. But they were persistent. Finally I gave in. I ended up being second runner-up. Then I transited into being a model and then an actress! So it was all destiny.
One final question… What do you say about the emotion love? An emotion that is very often the fulcrum of most Bollywood films?
It’s a very necessary and important emotion. Whatever I do, I do it with love.
A lovely thought from a lovely person!
(This article was published in the recent issue of Karnataka Today Magazine)
