Pooja Hegde breezes into the spotlight like a summer storm—graceful yet unstoppable. I’ve tracked her rise since her Mugamoodi days, and as I sip my evening chai on March 31, 2025, I’m struck by how she’s morphed from a shy Mumbai girl into a pan-India powerhouse. At 34, she’s not just an actress—she’s a vibe, a blend of beauty, grit, and ambition. From Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo’s blockbuster highs to Deva’s gritty action, Pooja’s journey is a rollercoaster of dreams chased and doubters silenced.
Born to a Tulu-speaking family, she swapped textbooks for tiaras, then scripts. Today, she’s a fitness enthusiast, a fashion icon, and a name that lights up theaters from Hyderabad to Mumbai. This isn’t just a bio—it’s Pooja unfiltered: her roles, romances, and the rumors that trail her. Let’s dive into the life of a woman who’s rewriting the rules of Indian cinema, one bold step at a time.
Early Life: A Mumbai Girl with Mangalore Roots
Pooja Hegde landed on this planet on October 13, 1990, in Mumbai, Maharashtra—a bustling city that shaped her hustle. Her parents, Manjunath and Latha Hegde, hail from Udupi, Karnataka, part of the Tulu-speaking Bunt community. “I’m a Bombay girl with a South Indian soul,” she grinned in a 2023 Vogue India chat. Her dad’s a criminal lawyer; her mom’s an immunologist turned entrepreneur. Growing up with her brother Rishabh, now an orthopedic surgeon, Pooja was the dreamer in a house of doers.
School at Maneckji Cooper Education Trust was her playground—dance, debates, and a quiet shyness she’d later shed. She aced a Bachelor of Commerce at M.M.K. College, but her heart beat for Bharatanatyam, a passion she honed for a decade. At 19, she swapped stability for stardom, and Mumbai’s chaos became her launchpad.
Pooja Hegde: Updated Personal Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pooja Hegde |
| Date of Birth | October 13, 1990 |
| Age | 34 years |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 128 lbs (58 kg) |
| Hair Color | Black (often styled with waves) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Family | Father: Manjunath Hegde; Mother: Latha Hegde; Brother: Rishabh Hegde |
| Net Worth | Estimated $6–7 million (₹50–58 crores) |
| Education | B.Com, M.M.K. College, Mumbai |
| Occupation | Actress, Model, Producer |
| Notable Works | Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020), Deva (2025), Housefull 4 (2019) |
| Current Residence | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Social Media | Instagram: @hegdepooja (27.5M followers); Twitter: @hegdepooja (5M followers) |
Pageant Days: The Crown That Sparked It All
Pooja’s story kicked into gear in 2009. She entered Miss India—eliminated early, but undeterred. “I wasn’t ready,” she later told Femina. In 2010, she roared back, snagging second runner-up at Miss Universe India. That tiara wasn’t just glitter—it was her ticket. “I saw a bigger world,” she said. Modeling gigs followed—ads with Ranbir Kapoor, ramps in Bengaluru. Her tall frame and poise turned heads.
Then, cinema called. Tamil director Mysskin spotted her pageant pics and cast her in Mugamoodi (2012). She scribbled Tamil lines in English, her Tulu roots easing the leap. “I was terrified,” she admitted. That debut wasn’t a hit, but Pooja? She was hooked.
First Steps in Cinema: Tamil to Telugu Triumphs
Mugamoodi flopped, but Pooja’s spark didn’t dim. In 2014, she debuted in Telugu with Oka Laila Kosam opposite Naga Chaitanya. Learning Telugu from scratch, she played Nandana—a bubbly romantic. “She’s got screen magic,” The Hindu raved. The film clicked, earning her a Filmfare nod. Next, Mukunda with Varun Tej—she was finding her feet.
Bollywood beckoned in 2016 with Mohenjo Daro. Opposite Hrithik Roshan, she dove into Ashutosh Gowariker’s epic. “His wife saw me in an ad,” she laughed. It tanked, but Pooja’s poise shone. She was no one-hit wonder—she was a multi-industry contender.
The Telugu Takeover: Stardom Secured
Pooja’s Telugu reign began in 2017 with Duvvada Jagannadham. Paired with Allu Arjun, she dazzled as a glamorous lead. “DJ was my groove,” she told Firstpost. It was a hit. Then, Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018) with Jr NTR—her first dubbed role—won hearts. Maharshi (2019) with Mahesh Babu followed, and Gaddalakonda Ganesh with Varun Tej showed her range.
The pinnacle? Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020). As Amulya, she stole scenes with Allu Arjun. “It’s my soul film,” she said. A SIIMA Award later, she was Telugu cinema’s darling—box office gold and fan frenzy in tow.
Bollywood Bounce-Back: Hits and Misses
After Mohenjo Daro, Bollywood took a backseat. She returned in 2019 with Housefull 4. Playing dual roles—Rajkumari Mala and modern-day Pooja—she joined Akshay Kumar’s chaos. Critics panned it, but ₹2.9 billion said otherwise. Cirkus (2022) with Ranveer Singh flopped—“A misstep,” she sighed.
Then, 2023’s Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan with Salman Khan. As Bhagyalakshmi, she brought warmth to Eid. “Pooja shines,” Pinkvilla cheered, despite its lukewarm run. Her big 2025 splash? Deva with Shahid Kapoor—action, grit, and a January hit. Bollywood’s back in her orbit.
Affairs and Relationships: Love in the Spotlight
Pooja’s love life? A tabloid tango. In 2016, Mohenjo Daro sparked Hrithik Roshan rumors—on-set chemistry, late-night chats. “Just friends,” she insisted to Times of India. It fizzled fast. Then, 2020—Rohan Mehra, actor and friend. Mumbai dinners, cozy pics—fans buzzed. “We’re close, that’s it,” she dodged in 2022.
The juiciest? Prabhas. Radhe Shyam (2022) ignited whispers—off-screen sparks, a Maldives trip rumor. “Work, not love,” she told News18. No ring, no confirmation—she’s single in 2025. “I’m married to my scripts,” she quipped on Insta. Pooja’s heart? A mystery she guards with a smile.
Controversies: Storms She’s Faced
Pooja’s not all sunshine—she’s weathered squalls. Beast (2022) with Vijay flopped—fans blamed her “jinx” tag. “It stung,” she admitted to Filmfare. She clapped back: “One film doesn’t define me.” Then, 2023—Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’s underperformance. “Salman’s heroine curse,” trolls sneered. She shrugged it off—“Box office isn’t my report card.”
A 2024 gym rant went viral. Snapping at paparazzi—“Give me space!”—earned her “diva” jabs. “I’m human,” she posted, cooling the fire. Sexism in cinema? She tackled it in 2025’s Filmfare chat: “I fight for fair roles.” Pooja’s battles? She wins with grace.
Rumors and Whispers: The Gossip Game
Rumors trail Pooja like confetti. Plastic surgery—lips, jawline—surfaced post-2020. “Bharatanatyam keeps me sharp,” she laughed off on Insta. A 2022 “secret engagement” to a Hyderabad businessman—pure fiction. “I’d invite you all!” she joked. Thalapathy 69 with Vijay? A 2024 pregnancy rumor after a loose lehenga? “Festive food, not a baby,” she clarified.
Her Deva steamy scene cuts—CBFC snipped it in 2025—sparked “too bold” chatter. “It’s art,” she defended. Pooja’s life? A rumor mill she dances through, unfazed and fabulous.
2025 Spotlight: Recent Projects and Ambitions
As of March 31, 2025, Pooja’s on a roll. Deva dropped January 31—a cop thriller with Shahid Kapoor. “I’m a journalist with guts,” she told Hindustan Times. It’s a hit, her Bollywood cred soaring. Next? Thalapathy 69 with Vijay—her Tamil comeback, slated for October. “It’s empowering,” she teased.
A Dulquer Salmaan rom-com—untitled, floors in June—and a Varun Dhawan comedy with David Dhawan, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, are brewing. “I’m juggling worlds,” she grinned on X. Her production dreams? Whispered, not launched. Pooja’s 2025? Packed and dazzling.
Fitness and Fashion: The Pooja Vibe
Pooja’s a fitness fiend—Bharatanatyam grace meets gym grit. “I lift, I stretch, I live,” she posted in 2025, flaunting a post-Deva glow. Her 24.5M Insta followers devour it—yoga reels, protein shakes. She’s a L’Oréal face—beauty with sweat.
Fashion? She’s a slay queen. SIIMA 2024’s navy gown—stunning. Festive lehengas, gym chic—Pooja’s style screams heritage and edge. “Clothes tell my story,” she told Vogue. She’s India’s trendsetter—tall, bold, breathtaking- from red carpets to reels.
Personal Life: Roots and Realness
Pooja’s Mumbai-based, but Udupi’s her heart. “Mom’s fish curry fixes me,” she told Femina. Her parents—private, proud—cheer from the sidelines. Rishabh’s her rock; they binge The Office on her rare off-days. Single, she’s tight-lipped. “Family’s my core,” she says.
Her net worth’s $6–7M—films, brands, a Bandra pad. Pedro, her dog, rules her Insta—24.5M strong. “He’s my zen,” she laughs. Pooja’s not just a star—she’s a daughter, a sister, a woman balancing fame with home-cooked love.
FAQs About Pooja Hegde
1. What’s Pooja Hegde’s latest film in 2025?
Deva with Shahid Kapoor, out January 31—a gritty hit. Thalapathy 69 with Vijay’s next, October-bound.
2. Is Pooja Hegde dating anyone?
No confirmation—past whispers with Hrithik, Rohan, Prabhas fizzled. She’s solo, career-first in 2025.
3. Why’d Beast flop?
Fans called it a “jinx”—Pooja blamed script, not fate. She bounced back strong.
4. What’s her net worth?
Around $6–7 million—films, endorsements, and hustle fuel it.
5. How’s she prepping for Thalapathy 69?
Tamil lines, Vijay vibes—she’s “excited” for this women-centric epic.
Final Thoughts: Pooja’s Unstoppable Glow
Pooja Hegde’s no flash—she’s a flame that’s only growing. From Mumbai’s streets to Tollywood’s throne, she’s danced through flops, fought sexism, and flipped rumors with a grin. At 34, she’s juggling Deva’s grit, Thalapathy 69’s heart, and a legacy in the making. I’ve watched her evolve, and it’s clear: Pooja’s not just a star—she’s a storm. Her story’s alive, pulsing with every role, every reel. She’s India’s cinematic heartbeat, and I can’t wait to see where she soars next.