Pooja Hegde is a celebrated Indian film actress and model who has made a mark in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi cinema. Known for her beauty, grace, and acting talent, she has become one of the most sought-after celebrities in Indian entertainment. From her early days as a beauty pageant contestant to starring in blockbuster films, Pooja has built a career filled with success, style, and substance.
With a strong presence on Instagram, numerous brand endorsements, and a growing list of awards, she continues to shine in the world of showbiz. This blog post explores her biography, career, personal life, and the many achievements that make her a standout Indian actress.
Early Life and Upbringing
Pooja Hegde was born on 13 October 1990 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, into a Tulu-speaking Bunt family originally from Udupi, Karnataka. Her father, Manjunath Hegde, is a criminal lawyer, and her mother, Latha Hegde, is an immunologist and entrepreneur. She has an elder brother, Dr. Rishabh Hegde, who is an orthopedic surgeon.
- School: Maneckji Cooper Education Trust School, Mumbai
- College: M.M.K. College, Mumbai
- Degree: Master of Commerce
Pooja was active in college festivals, participating in dance, singing, and fashion contests. She is also a trained Bharatanatyam dancer, which adds to her graceful screen presence.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pooja Hegde |
| Nickname | Pooja |
| Alternative Names(s) | Pooja Manjunath Hegde |
| Date of Birth | 13 October 1990 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 34 years |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Mangalore, Karnataka |
| Hometown | Udupi, Karnataka |
| Current Address | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Education Qualification | Master of Commerce |
| Hobbies and Interests | Dancing, Reading, Singing, Traveling |
| Languages Known | Tulu, Hindi, English, Kannada, Tamil |
| Social Media Profiles link | Instagram, Twitter , Facebook |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Pooja Hegde – Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile link | Pooja Hegde – IMDb |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Slim |
| Body Measurements | 34-25-34 |
| Height in feet, inches, cm | 5′9″, 175 cm |
| Weight in lbs, kg | 121 lbs, 55 kg |
| Chest | 34 inches |
| Waist | 25 inches |
| Biceps | N/A |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Hairstyle | Long, Wavy |
| Distinctive Features | Sharp Nose, Smile |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Pooja Hegde is known for keeping her personal life private. She is unmarried and lives in Mumbai. Her family has always supported her career, especially during her early days in modeling and acting.
She shares a close bond with her family and often posts pictures with them on social media.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Spouse – Husband | N/A |
| Father | Manjunath Hegde |
| Mother | Latha Hegde |
| Children | N/A |
| Siblings | Rishabh Hegde (Brother) |
| Affairs – Boyfriend(s) | Rohan Mehra (Rumored) |
| Significant Relationships | Rohan Mehra |
Rise to Stardom
Pooja began her career in modeling and participated in the Miss India 2009 pageant, where she won the title of Miss India Talented 2009. She later became the second runner-up at Miss Universe India 2010.
- Tamil Debut: Mugamoodi (2012)
- Telugu Debut: Oka Laila Kosam (2014)
- Bollywood Debut: Mohenjo Daro (2016) opposite Hrithik Roshan
Her breakthrough came with the Telugu film DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham (2017), followed by hits like Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava, Maharshi, and Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo.
Pooja Hegde – Selfie
Pooja Hegde – Debut Film – Mugamoodi
Pooja Hegde – Successful Film – Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Pooja Hegde has worked with top stars like Allu Arjun, Mahesh Babu, Prabhas, Salman Khan, and Ranveer Singh. She is known for her versatility, screen presence, and dance skills.
- SIIMA Awards – Best Actress (Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, Most Eligible Bachelor)
- Zee Cine Awards Telugu – Favourite Actress (Maharshi)
- Sakshi Excellence Awards – Most Popular Actress (Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo)
- Zee Telugu Golden Awards – Entertainer of the Year (DJ)
- Filmfare South Nominations – Multiple categories
She has also been featured in magazines, fashion campaigns, and media coverage for her style and elegance.
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actress, Model |
| Debut Film | Mugamoodi (2012) |
| Notable Roles | Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, Maharshi, DJ, Housefull 4, Radhe Shyam |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, Cirkus, Beast |
| Upcoming Films | Sanki, Deva, Retro |
| Popular Television Series | . Housefull 4 |
| Awards and Achievements | SIIMA Awards, Zee Cine Telugu, Sakshi Excellence, Filmfare South Nominations |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | Citra, Pepsi, Garnier, Myntra, Ponds |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | COVID Relief, Girl Education, Health Camps |
| Professional Associations | CINTAA, South Indian Film Industry |
| Training and Education | M.Com, Bharatanatyam Trained |
| Production Company | N/A |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, Maharshi, Housefull 4 |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, Maharshi, Oka Laila Kosam |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Dollars | $6 million2 |
| Per Movie Charges in Dollars | $480,000–$600,000 |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Dollars | $36,000–$48,000 |
| Sponsorship Deals | Citra, Pepsi, Garnier, Myntra, Ptron |
| Business Ventures | N/A |
| Investments | Real Estate, Fashion |
| Real Estate Holdings | Bandra Apartment, Mumbai Mansion, Hyderabad Home |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | Designer Outfits, Jewelry, Smart Gadgets, Sea-Facing Villa |
| Cars Collection | Range Rover, Porsche Cayenne, Jaguar, Audi Q7, BMW 5-Series |
Favrite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Hrithik Roshan |
| Favorite Actress | Madhuri Dixit |
| Favorite Film | Mohenjo Daro |
| Favorite Music Bands | Coldplay, BTS, Imagine Dragons |
| Favorite Sport | Badminton |
| Favorite Books | The Alchemist, The Secret |
| Favorite Colour | Black |
| Favorite Food | Biryani, Sushi, Pasta |
| Things she likes | Dancing, Reading, Traveling, Singing |
| Things she dislikes | Negativity, Dishonesty, Gossip |
Top 5 Best Films – Pooja Hegde
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo | 2020 | Amulya |
| Maharshi | 2019 | Pooja Mahalakshmi |
| DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham | 2017 | Pooja |
| Aravinda Sametha | 2018 | Aravinda |
| Mohenjo Daro | 2016 | Chaani |
Controversies – Pooja Hegde
- Tollywood Midriff Comment: Faced backlash for saying South Indian films focus too much on midriffs. She later clarified her statement.
- Instagram Meme Incident: Her account shared a meme mocking another actress. She claimed her account was hacked.
- PR Harassment Allegation: Revealed that paid campaigns were run to defame her online.
- Poster Exclusion: Expressed disappointment over being left out of film posters despite playing lead roles.
- Gender Bias in Industry: Spoke out about inequality on sets, including vanity van access and credit sharing.
Interesting Facts – Pooja Hegde
- She was born on Lakshmi Pooja Day, and her family initially wanted to name her Lakshmi.
- Pooja is fluent in Tulu, Hindi, English, Kannada, and Tamil.
- She is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer and has practiced for over 10 years.
- She is a huge fan of Roger Federer and Rahul Dravid.
- She owns a pet dog named Pedro.
- She was discovered for Mohenjo Daro after Ashutosh Gowariker’s wife saw her in an advertisement.
Pooja Hegde is more than just a beautiful face. She is a talented Indian actress, a dedicated performer, and a style icon. Her journey from a college student to a pan-India celebrity is filled with hard work, passion, and resilience.
