Pooja Hegde was born on October 13, 1990 (34 Years Old), in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She grew up in a Tulu-speaking family from Udupi, Karnataka, and her roots have always stayed close to her heart, even as she stepped into the spotlight.
Before the movies and red carpets, she made a name for herself in the beauty pageant scene—she was the second runner-up at Miss Universe India 2010. That early win opened the door to modelling gigs, brand deals, and eventually, films.
Today, she’s one of the highest-paid actresses in South Indian cinema, with a net worth that reflects her growing popularity and consistent box-office success.
If you’re curious to know how she went from pageants to starring opposite some of the biggest names in Indian cinema, you can scroll down and read the full Wiki, personal life, career and much more about her.
Wiki
| Full Name | Pooja Hegde |
|---|---|
| Profession | Actress, Model |
| Famous As | Actress |
| Nick Name | Pooja |
| Date of Birth | 13 October 1990 |
| Age | 34 Years Old |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Mangalore, Karnataka, India |
| Hometown | Udupi, Karnataka, India |
| Country | India |
| Mother Tongue | Tulu |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Hobbies | Dancing, Travelling, Singing, Reading |
| Food Habits | Non Vegetarian |
| Educational Qualification | Master of Commerce |
| School Name | Not Known |
| College/University | Not Known |
| Debut | Film: Mugamoodi (2012) |
Family
Pooja Hegde’s father is Manjunath Hegde and her mother is Lata Hegde. She also has a brother named Rishabh Hegde, who works as a doctor.
| Father Name | Manjunath Hegde |
|---|---|
| Mother Name | Lata Hegde |
| Brother Name | Rishabh Hegde (Doctor) |
| Sister Name | None |
Physical Appearance
Pooja Hegde is about 5 feet 9 inches tall, which is 175 cm or 1.75 meters. She weighs around 53 kg or 117 pounds. Her body measurements are 34-25-34. She has brown eyes and black hair.
| Height (Approx.) | in centimeters – 175 cm in meters – 1.75 m in feet inches – 5′ 9″ |
|---|---|
| Weight (Approx.) | in kilograms – 53 Kg in pounds – 117 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 34-25-34 |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
Relationship Status
Pooja Hegde is currently unmarried. The information about her relationship status is yet to be updated.
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
|---|---|
| Affairs/Boyfriends | None |
Pooja Hegde Career
Pooja Hegde has had a busy film career across Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi movies. She’s done everything from romantic comedies to big-budget action films and item numbers that go viral online. Here’s a look at how her career has grown step by step.
First Break in Tamil Films (2012)
Pooja started with a Tamil superhero movie called Mugamoodi in 2012. Director Mysskin saw her pageant photos and offered her the lead role opposite Jiiva. She played Shakthi, a bubbly character who pushes the hero to become a better version of himself. Since she didn’t speak Tamil, she practised her lines by writing them out in English and finding links with her mother tongue, Tulu.
Stepping into Telugu Cinema (2014)
After Tamil films, Pooja moved into Telugu cinema with Oka Laila Kosam, where she starred opposite Naga Chaitanya. To prepare for the role, she learned Telugu from scratch. Her character, Nandana, got a good response from both critics and fans. That movie turned out to be a hit and earned her another Filmfare nomination.
She followed it up with Mukunda, where she starred alongside Varun Tej. Reviewers liked their onscreen chemistry, and the song “Gopikamma” became a turning point in her early career. It helped her get noticed by more filmmakers and brought her more offers in Telugu films.
Bollywood Debut with a Big Star (2016)
In 2016, she made her first appearance in a Hindi movie with Mohenjo Daro, starring opposite Hrithik Roshan. Director Ashutosh Gowariker’s wife saw her in an ad and called her in for an audition. That’s how she got the part.
She put her regional projects on hold just to focus on this film. While the movie had big expectations, it didn’t perform as well as expected. Some reviews were positive about her confidence, while others felt her role didn’t leave a strong impression. Still, it was a big step into Bollywood.
Commercial Hit with DJ (2017)
Back in Telugu cinema, she had a major hit in 2017 with DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham, alongside Allu Arjun. She played a modern and lively character, different from her earlier traditional roles. Reviewers noted she looked stunning and owned the screen.
Multiple Telugu Films and Strong Roles (2018)
2018 was a packed year. She appeared in the hit number “Jigelu Rani” in Rangasthalam, then took on a full-fledged role in Saakshyam as a spiritual leader from a middle-class family. Critics noted she had more screen time than in her past roles and praised both her performance and presence.
Later that year, she played Aravinda in Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava. This role was meaningful because her character helped the hero take a non-violent path. She even dubbed for herself, adding a personal touch to the character.
Back-to-Back Films (2019–2020)
In 2019, she appeared in three films. First was Maharshi with Mahesh Babu, which later won a National Film Award. Then came Gaddalakonda Ganesh, a remake where she teamed up again with Varun Tej. Reviewers liked their chemistry. During one shoot, she even got sunburned while filming in a river.
2020 brought Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, one of her biggest hits. She played Amulya, a confident businesswoman, and her scenes with Allu Arjun were a big hit.
More Success with Comedy and Drama (2021–2022)
In 2021, she starred in Most Eligible Bachelor opposite Akhil Akkineni. She played a stand-up comic and took time to meet real comedians to get the role right.
2022 was a mix. She starred in the big-budget love story Radhe Shyam with Prabhas. The film didn’t do well financially, but her performance got praise. She also returned to Tamil films with Beast, acted in Acharya, danced in F3, and played a role in Cirkus with Ranveer Singh.
Mixed Results and New Projects (2023–2025)
In 2023, she was paired with Salman Khan in Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. Her role had more depth, and reviews about her were mostly positive, even if the film didn’t do well at the box office.
She started 2025 with Deva opposite Shahid Kapoor. Critics had mixed things to say—some thought she wasn’t given much to do, while others liked the emotional touch she brought in.
She’s got more lined up now: Retro, Jana Nayagan with Vijay, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai with Varun Dhawan, and Kanchana 4 with Raghava Lawrence.
Awards
Pooja Hegde has earned recognition over the years for her work in films and style. Here’s a quick look at the awards and honors she’s received so far.
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
| 2013 | South Indian International Movie Awards (2nd) | Best Female Debutant – Tamil | Mugamoodi | Nominated |
| 2015 | South Indian International Movie Awards (4th) | Best Female Debut – Telugu | Oka Laila Kosam | Nominated |
| 2015 | 62nd Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Telugu | Oka Laila Kosam | Nominated |
| 2016 | Stardust Awards | Superstar of Tomorrow – Female | Mohenjo Daro | Nominated |
| 2017 | Zee Telugu Golden Awards | Entertainer Of The Year (Female) | DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham | Won |
| 2017 | Zee Telugu Golden Awards | Favourite Heroine of the Year | DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham | Won |
| 2019 | 66th Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Telugu | Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava | Nominated |
| 2019 | Sakshi Excellence Awards | Most Popular Actress of the Year | — | Won |
| 2020 | South Indian International Movie Awards (9th) | Best Actress – Telugu | Maharshi | Nominated |
| 2020 | Zee Cine Awards Telugu | Favourite Actress | Maharshi | Won |
| 2021 | South Indian International Movie Awards (9th) | Best Actress – Telugu | Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo | Won |
| 2021 | Sakshi Excellence Awards (7th) | Most Popular Actress of the Year | — | Won |
| 2022 | 67th Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Telugu | Most Eligible Bachelor | Nominated |
| 2022 | South Indian International Movie Awards (10th) | Best Actress – Telugu | Most Eligible Bachelor | Won |
| 2022 | South Indian International Movie Awards (10th) | Critics Award for Best Actress – Telugu | Most Eligible Bachelor | Won |
| 2022 | South Indian International Movie Awards (10th) | Youth Icon (Female) | — | Won |
| 2023 | Bollywood Hungama Style Icons | Most Stylish Mould Breaking Star (Female) | — | Nominated |
| 2023 | Bollywood Hungama Style Icons | Most Stylish Trend Setter (Female) | — | Nominated |
| 2023 | Bollywood Hungama Style Icons | Most Stylish Haute Stepper | — | Nominated |
| 2023 | Bollywood Hungama Style Icons | Most Stylish Glam Star | — | Nominated |
| 2023 | Pinkvilla Style Icons Awards | Stylish Game Changer – Female | — | Won |
| 2023 | Lokmat Stylish Awards | Most Stylish Youth Icon (Female) | — | Won |
| 2024 | Bollywood Hungama Style Icons | Most Stylish Versatile Talent of the Year | — | Won |
Controversies
Pooja Hegde has faced a few controversies over the years, from online trolling to misunderstood comments. Here’s a quick look at some of the situations that caught public attention.
| Date | Controversy | Details |
| November 2020 | Comments on Objectification in South Indian Cinema | In an interview, Pooja remarked on the South Indian film industry’s focus on midriffs and navels, citing her film Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo as an example. |
| November 2020 | Instagram Account Hacked | A meme about actress Samantha Akkineni was posted from Pooja’s Instagram account, leading to a social media uproar. |
| February 2025 | Misidentifying Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo as a Tamil Film | During promotions for her film Deva, Pooja referred to the Telugu film Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo as a Tamil movie, upsetting fans. |
| March 2025 | Allegations of Paid Trolling | Pooja revealed that significant amounts were spent to troll her online, indicating targeted defamation campaigns. |
Net Worth & Salary
Pooja Hegde’s estimated net worth is around $8 million, which is roughly INR 66 crore in Indian currency. For each movie, she reportedly charges between INR 3 to INR 4 crore.
| Net Worth in USD (Approx.) | $8 Million |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Indian Rupees (Approx.) | ₹66 Crore |
| Salary (Approx.) | ₹3-4 Cr/Movie |
| Car & Bike Collection | – Audi Q7 – Jaguar Sedan – Porsche Cayenne – BMW 5 Series – Land Rover Range Rover luxury SUV (bought in October 2023) |
| Income Source | Acting, Brand Endorsement |
Social Media Handles
| @hegdepooja | |
| @PoojaHegde | |
| @hegdepooja |
Interesting Facts About Pooja Hegde
- She is fluent in Tulu, English, Hindi, and Marathi, which helps her connect with fans across regions.
- Before acting, she competed in Miss Universe India 2010 and finished as the second runner-up.
- Pooja is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer who started learning the art form at a young age.
- She turned down a Mani Ratnam film to focus fully on her Bollywood debut Mohenjo-Daro.
- Despite being born in Mumbai, she often visits her hometown, Udupi to stay close to her roots.
- Pooja was the first brand ambassador for Bhima Jewellers.
- She once got a serious sunburn while shooting a song in the middle of a river for Gaddalakonda Ganesh.
- Her viral dance number “Butta Bomma” turned into a major trend on social media.
- She launched her foundation called “All About Love” to support underprivileged children.
- Pooja served as a judge at Miss World 2023, reflecting her strong influence beyond films.
FAQs
How old is Pooja Hegde?
Pooja Hegde is 34 Years Old.
What is Pooja Hegde’s height?
Pooja Hegde’s height is approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm).
What is Pooja Hegde’s Net Worth?
Pooja Hegde’s estimated net worth is around $8 million (INR 66 crore).
What is Pooja Hegde’s salary?
Pooja Hegde reportedly charges INR 3–4 crore per movie.