Today, October 13, marks the birthday of Pooja Hegde, one of India’s most-loved actresses. Formerly a model, she was the second runner-up in Miss Universe India 2010. Pooja made her acting debut in the Tamil superhero film Mugamoodi. She has starred in notable films such as Beast, Radhe Shyam and Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. Currently, she is in the spotlight for her upcoming film Deva, where she stars opposite Shahid Kapoor. To celebrate her special day, let’s take a look at some of her best works, songs, upcoming films, and her recent rumoured romance.
Pooja Hegde’s Top Movies
Oka Laila Kosam
Pooja Hegde’s journey in Telugu cinema began with this film, where she portrayed Nandana/Nandu, the character who captures the hero’s heart. Her performance received acclaim, leading to nominations for the Filmfare Awards South and the South Indian International Movie Awards. Directed by Vijay Kumar Konda, this romantic movie featured Naga Chaitanya alongside her.
Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo
In this popular action drama, Pooja Hegde played Ammu, the love interest of Bantu (Allu Arjun). Her role as an entrepreneur garnered her several awards, including Best Actress at the SIIMA Awards and the Sakshi Excellence Awards. The film was a massive success, praised for its entertainment value and family-friendly storyline.
Maharshi
Sharing the screen with Mahesh Babu in this National Award-winning film, Pooja portrayed the hero’s love interest. Her performance surprised many, earning her accolades and nominations, including the Favourite Actress Award and Best Actress in Telugu.
Gaddalakonda Ganesh
Pooja Hegde played Sridevi, a computer student who initially rejects a goon’s advances but later falls in love with him. Her performance in this action thriller was commendable, and the film featured an ensemble cast including Varun Tej, Atharvaa, and Mrinalini Ravi.
DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham
In this action-comedy film, she plays a character named Pooja, who is romantically linked with Allu Arjun. Her glamorous appearance captivated the audience, and she won the Entertainer of the Year award at the Zee Golden Awards for her portrayal.
Pooja Hegde’s Top Songs
Arabic Kuthu
Upon its release in 2022, Arabic Kuthu became one of the most liked and viewed song on YouTube. It is from Beast which had Thalapathi Vijay sharing the screen with Pooja Hegde. The peppy number was composed by Anirudh Ravichander who also sang it with Jonita Gandhi.
Seeti Maar (DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham)
This energetic track from the film features a fantastic dance performance by Allu Arjun and Pooja. Even though the film was released in 2017, Seeti Maar remains one of the most beloved songs in Telugu cinema.
Tu Hai (Mohenjo Daro)
Pooja Hegde made her Bollywood debut with Mohenjo Daro, alongside Hrithik Roshan. While the film underperformed at the box office, AR Rahman’s music stood out. In Tu Hai, Pooja showed her graceful dance moves and captured the audience’s attention.
Jigelu Rani (Rangasthalam)
In 2018, Pooja appeared in a special song titled Jigelu Rani in the film Rangasthalam. This lively number highlighted her impressive dance skills and was a favourite among fans.
Paala Pitta (Maharshi)
Following Jigelu Rani, Pooja once again demonstrated her energetic dancing in the song Paala Pitta, which featured Mahesh Babu. This chart-topping track allowed her to shine brightly.
ButtaBomma (Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo)
No list would be complete without mentioning ButtaBomma from Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo. The song is famous for its catchy hook step, with Pooja Hegde and Allu Arjun creating magic on screen together.
Pooja Hegde’s Upcoming Projects
Thalapathy 69 (tentative title)
This Tamil drama film is directed by H. Vinoth and features Vijay and Pooja Hegde in lead roles. The music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, and the film is produced under the KVN Productions banner. Thalapathy 69 is scheduled to hit theatres in 2025.
Suriya 44 (tentative title)
Directed by Karthik Subbaraj, this Tamil drama film stars Suriya Sivakumar and Pooja Hegde. Santhosh Narayanan is handling the music, and the film is produced by a team including Karthik Subbaraj, Suriya, and Jyothika.
Sanki
Directed by Adnan A. Shaikh and Yasir Jah, Sanki is a Bollywood drama featuring Ahan Shetty and Pooja Hegde. While the details of the music remain undisclosed, the film is set for a theatrical release early next year.
Deva
This action Bollywood film, directed by Rosshan Andrrews, features Shahid Kapoor alongside Pooja Hegde. The music details are not yet revealed, but the film is produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur under the Roy Kapoor Films and Zee Studios banners.
Housefull 5
A comedy-drama, Housefull 5 is written by Sajid Nadiadwala and directed by Tarun Mansukhani. The film will feature Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, and Riteish Deshmukh, returning for the fifth instalment of the franchise. Sajid Nadiadwala is producing this film under Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. The announcement was made on June 30, 2023, marking a four-year gap since the last release.
Pooja Hegde’s Rumoured Love Life
Pooja Hegde’s typically private love life seems to be gaining some public attention. Recently, she was spotted with her rumoured boyfriend, Rohan Mehra. The duo was seen enjoying a meal together, and their public appearances have sparked interest among fans. Pooja was seen smiling and posing with her parents as they exited a restaurant. Although she and Rohan did not pose together, he later left the venue solo and greeted the paparazzi.
The photos of Pooja and Rohan riding in a car together have since gone viral, fueling speculation about their relationship. Rohan Mehra, an actor, made his debut in the 2018 film Bazaar alongside Saif Ali Khan, Radhika Apte and Chitrangada Singh. He is the son of the late actor Vinod Mehra.
