From being the second runner-up at Miss Universe India 2010 to becoming one of South India’s highest-paid actresses, Pooja Hegde’s journey epitomizes determination meeting opportunity. With four SIIMA Awards and blockbusters spanning Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil cinema, this Mumbai-born beauty has redefined what it means to be a pan-Indian superstar in modern cinema.
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Pooja Hegde: Quick Profile
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pooja Hegde |
| Birth Date | October 13, 1990 |
| Age | 34 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Height | 5’7″ (170 cm) |
| Education | Bachelor’s in Commerce, M.M.K. College, Mumbai |
| Debut Film | Mugamoodi (Tamil, 2012) |
| Breakthrough | Oka Laila Kosam (Telugu, 2014) |
| Major Awards | 4 SIIMA Awards, 3 Filmfare South Nominations |
| Remuneration | ₹3.5-5 crore per film |
The Beauty Pageant Launch Pad
Born into a Tulu-speaking Bunt family in Mumbai on October 13, 1990, Pooja comes from an impressive background—her father Manjunath Hegde is a criminal lawyer, while her mother Latha Hegde is an immunologist and entrepreneur. This intellectual environment shaped her work ethic and professionalism.
After participating in the 2010 Miss Universe India beauty pageant, Pooja leveraged her runner-up position into a film career, making her debut with the Tamil superhero film Mugamoodi in 2012. What set her apart was her classical Bharatanatyam training—10 years of rigorous dance practice that gives her an edge in song sequences.
Telugu Cinema Stardom
Pooja’s career truly ignited with her Telugu debut Oka Laila Kosam (2014) opposite Naga Chaitanya. The film established her as a promising actress, leading to subsequent successes like Mukunda (2014) and the massive hit DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham (2017) with Allu Arjun.
Her performance in Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020) playing Amulya, a self-made businesswoman, became a career-defining moment. The film became a blockbuster, earning her the SIIMA Award for Best Actress – Telugu. Her chemistry with Allu Arjun and natural screen presence made her one of Telugu cinema’s most bankable stars.
Other Telugu successes include Maharshi (2019) with Mahesh Babu and Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018) with Jr. NTR—all major commercial successes cementing her A-list status.
Bollywood Journey: Highs and Challenges
Pooja made her Bollywood debut opposite Hrithik Roshan in the period drama Mohenjo Daro (2016). While the film underperformed, her presence was noted. She returned to Bollywood with Housefull 4 (2019), which despite negative reviews became one of the year’s highest grossers, earning ₹2.9 billion.
Her 2025 began with Deva opposite Shahid Kapoor, though critics noted she was “severely underutilized”. Similar to how Bollywood actresses navigate career fluctuations, Pooja has learned to balance commercial viability with script quality.
The 2025 Comeback Story
After a challenging phase with several flops, Pooja’s career turned around with her Tamil film Retro opposite Suriya, directed by Karthik Subbaraj. The film emerged as a commercial success, with critics praising her “convincing performance” as Rukmini, a veterinarian.
She also made a special appearance in Coolie starring Rajinikanth, where her glamorous performance in the dance number “Monica” became widely popular and earned praise from Italian actress Monica Bellucci—a testament to her global appeal.
Upcoming Projects: The Busy Schedule
Pooja’s 2025-26 slate is packed with exciting projects across industries:
- Jana Nayagan: Reunion with Thalapathy Vijay (his last film before politics)
- Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai: David Dhawan’s rom-com with Varun Dhawan
- Kanchana 4: Horror-comedy franchise sequel with Raghava Lawrence
- DQ41: Romantic film opposite Dulquer Salmaan
This diverse lineup showcases her strategic approach to maintaining pan-Indian relevance. For entertainment fans following multi-industry actresses, Pooja represents the modern template for success.
Beyond Cinema: Philanthropy and Influence
Pooja supports various causes through her foundation “All About Love,” which focuses on providing education and healthcare support to underprivileged children across India, contributing a portion of her earnings to fund operations. She’s also been vocal about women’s rights, gender equality, and the gender pay gap.
She’s performed at major award ceremonies including SIIMA, Filmfare, and Zee Cine Awards, and even at the 2025 International League T20 opening ceremony in Dubai. Her influence extends beyond acting into cultural icon territory.
What Makes Her Special
Pooja’s multilingual fluency—speaking Tulu, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, English, and Marathi—gives her an unmatched advantage in pan-Indian projects. Her Bharatanatyam training brings grace to every performance, while her beauty pageant background provides media-savvy confidence.
She’s recognized as one of India’s most sought-after actresses and is considered one of the highest-paid South Indian actresses, charging between ₹3.5-5 crore per project.
FAQs
What is Pooja Hegde’s net worth and salary per film?
Pooja Hegde is one of South India’s highest-paid actresses, charging approximately ₹3.5-5 crore per film as of 2025. Her estimated net worth is around $10-15 million, earned through films, brand endorsements, and appearances at major events and award shows.
What are Pooja Hegde’s biggest hit movies?
Pooja Hegde’s biggest commercial successes include Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020), Housefull 4 (2019), Maharshi (2019), DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham (2017), and Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018). Her 2025 film Retro with Suriya also became a commercial success, marking her career comeback.
