Pooja Batra
Encyclopedia
Pooja Batra in Faizabad
, Uttar Pradesh
, is an India
n actress.
and Pakistan
. Her mother, Neelam Batra was a former Miss India
participant in 1971. She did her schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya
, where she enjoyed sports, debates and plays. She was a good athlete who competed in the 200 and 400 meter dash.
She majored in Economics at the Fergusson College, Pune. She also attained her MBA in marketing from Symbiosis College
, Pune. She has two brothers who are twins.
Asia-Pacific in 1993. She went on to become one of the top models in India. She walked the ramp for over 250 fashion shows in India and overseas. She is an ambassador for Parag Sarees.
She has played the lead role in over 20 films. One of her films, Taj Mahal, a historical epic, was shown at the Cannes film festival in 2004. Pooja turned down many offers to complete her education before signing a contract with the Virasat Film Studio. She is the life member of International Film And Television Club of Asian Academy Of Film & Television
, Noida. In 1995 she did a cameo in a Tamil film called Aasai
.
in 1997. She worked in over 21 films including Haseena Maan Jayegi
, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya
and Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye.
Batra worked in Malayalam films, the majority of them with megastars Mohanlal
and Mammootty
. She did two Tamil films. She acted in theater and toured North America, which got her considerable acclaim. She recently appeared at the 2009 Academy Awards in Los Angeles, where she reunited with her Virasat
costar, Anil Kapoor
.
, California
between 2002 and 2010. In January 2011, she filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
She did pro bono work in the film, My Little Devil (Bas Yari Rakho) subtitled in Hindi, English and French to raise funds for the poor children in India. The film was co-produced by NFDC-La Fete (Canada) and directed by Gopi Desai. The film was screened at the 24th Annual Montreal World Film Festival, 2000; Chicago International Children's Film Festival, 2000; 10th Annual Philadelphia Film Festival of World Cinema, 2001 and the Indian Film Festival in Malaysia, 2005.
Faizabad
City of Faizabad , previous capital of Awadh, is the headquarters of Faizabad District and a municipal board in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, situated on the banks of river Ghaghra . Faizabad has a twin city of Ayodhya, which is considered to be the birthplace of Rama...
, Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
, is an India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n actress.
Early life and background
Pooja Batra was born to Ravi Batra, an army colonel who was wounded in the 1971 war between IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. Her mother, Neelam Batra was a former Miss India
Miss India
Miss India or Femina Miss India is a national beauty pageant in India, one of the most recognized contests to produce international beauty queens in the 90s, which annually selects three winners to compete globally. It is organized by Femina, a women's magazine published by Bennett, Coleman & Co...
participant in 1971. She did her schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya
Kendriya Vidyalaya
Kendriya Vidyalaya, is a system of central government schools under the Ministry of Human Resource Development ....
, where she enjoyed sports, debates and plays. She was a good athlete who competed in the 200 and 400 meter dash.
She majored in Economics at the Fergusson College, Pune. She also attained her MBA in marketing from Symbiosis College
Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS)
Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies is a Business School situated in Range hills, Khadki in Pune city, Maharashtra, India. The institute was established under a Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Defence, Government of India and Symbiosis International University in 1993...
, Pune. She has two brothers who are twins.
Early career
At a young age, she started modeling as a part-time job. She was best known for her Liril soap commercial. She was the first Indian face to launch and be a spokesperson for Head and Shoulders in India. As a model she has participated in over 250 events and ad campaigns. She shot to fame when she was crowned Miss IndiaMiss India
Miss India or Femina Miss India is a national beauty pageant in India, one of the most recognized contests to produce international beauty queens in the 90s, which annually selects three winners to compete globally. It is organized by Femina, a women's magazine published by Bennett, Coleman & Co...
Asia-Pacific in 1993. She went on to become one of the top models in India. She walked the ramp for over 250 fashion shows in India and overseas. She is an ambassador for Parag Sarees.
She has played the lead role in over 20 films. One of her films, Taj Mahal, a historical epic, was shown at the Cannes film festival in 2004. Pooja turned down many offers to complete her education before signing a contract with the Virasat Film Studio. She is the life member of International Film And Television Club of Asian Academy Of Film & Television
Asian Academy of Film & Television
The Asian Academy of Film & Television is a film school located in India's Noida Film City in India's Capital region, NCR. It is affiliated with the International Film & Television Research Center and the Marwah Films & Video Studios....
, Noida. In 1995 she did a cameo in a Tamil film called Aasai
Aasai
Aasai is a 1995 Tamil film directed by Vasanth and produced by Mani Ratnam The film featured Ajith Kumar and Suvalakshmi, making her debut, in the leading roles with Prakash Raj in a pivotal role. The film has camera work by Jeeva and a popular soundtrack by Deva...
.
Later career
The first film she signed was VirasatVirasat (1997 film)
Virasat is a Hindi musical drama film by Priyadarshan that was released in India in 1997. It starred Anil Kapoor, Tabu, Amrish Puri, Pooja Batra, Milind Gunaji and Govind Namdeo. The story was by Kamal Hassan and Anu Malik was the music composer...
in 1997. She worked in over 21 films including Haseena Maan Jayegi
Haseena Maan Jayegi
Haseena Maan Jayegi is a 1968 Hindi movie directed by Prakash Mehra. The film stars Shashi Kapoor, Babita, Ameeta, Yunus Parvez and Johnny Walker...
, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya
Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya
Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya is a 1966 Bollywood film. It stars Dharmendra, Nutan, Rehman and Jeevan. The music is by Sonik Omi.-Plot:The story of the eternal friendship between two men, 'Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya' is a musical classic. Ashok and Amjad are thick friends. This movie showcases their immense...
and Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye.
Batra worked in Malayalam films, the majority of them with megastars Mohanlal
Mohanlal
Mohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star...
and Mammootty
Mammootty
Mammootty is an Indian film actor and producer who works mainly in Malayalam cinema. He has also acted in a few Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada films. During a career spanning more than three decades, he has acted in more than 360 films, and is only next to Prem Nazir in the number of lead roles...
. She did two Tamil films. She acted in theater and toured North America, which got her considerable acclaim. She recently appeared at the 2009 Academy Awards in Los Angeles, where she reunited with her Virasat
Virasat (1997 film)
Virasat is a Hindi musical drama film by Priyadarshan that was released in India in 1997. It starred Anil Kapoor, Tabu, Amrish Puri, Pooja Batra, Milind Gunaji and Govind Namdeo. The story was by Kamal Hassan and Anu Malik was the music composer...
costar, Anil Kapoor
Anil Kapoor
Anil Kapoor is an Indian actor and producer who mainly appears in Bollywood films. He won a Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his role in Yash Chopra's film Mashaal ....
.
Personal life
Batra was married to orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Sonu Ahluwalia, in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
between 2002 and 2010. In January 2011, she filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
Philanthropy
Batra has volunteered time and money to charitable causes including AIDS (Mukti Foundation), homeless children, the Bombay Police Department and injured soldiers in the Kashmir war.She did pro bono work in the film, My Little Devil (Bas Yari Rakho) subtitled in Hindi, English and French to raise funds for the poor children in India. The film was co-produced by NFDC-La Fete (Canada) and directed by Gopi Desai. The film was screened at the 24th Annual Montreal World Film Festival, 2000; Chicago International Children's Film Festival, 2000; 10th Annual Philadelphia Film Festival of World Cinema, 2001 and the Indian Film Festival in Malaysia, 2005.
Awards and nominations
- 1997: Winner - Sansui Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress, for Virasat
- 1997: Nominated - Filmfare Award for the Most Promising Newcomer, for Virasat
- 2006: Nominated - Sansui Screen Award for the Best Actress, for Taj Mahal - An Eternal Love Story
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Aasai Aasai Aasai is a 1995 Tamil film directed by Vasanth and produced by Mani Ratnam The film featured Ajith Kumar and Suvalakshmi, making her debut, in the leading roles with Prakash Raj in a pivotal role. The film has camera work by Jeeva and a popular soundtrack by Deva... |
Guest appearance Guest appearance In show business , a guest appearance is a participation of an outsider performer , usually called guest artist , in an event , i.e., the participation of a performer which does not belong to the regular crew In performance... |
Tamil Tamil cinema Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered... |
| Sisindri Sisindri Sisindri is a 1995 Telugu comedy / family film directed by Shiva Nageswara Rao. It is a remake of Hollywood flick Baby's Day Out . Akhil Akkineni made his debut through this film. The cast includes Nagarjuna Akkineni, Giribabu, Tanikella Bharani, Sudhakar, Aamani, Sarath Babu, Subhalekha Sudhakar... |
Telugu | ||
| 1997 | Vishwavidhaata Vishwavidhaata -Soundtrack:All songs were composed by A. R. Rahman. He reused the songs of the original film Pudhiya Mugam with a new song Humdum Pyaara Pyaara added. The lyrics were written by P. K. Mishra and Mehboob for Humdum Pyaara Pyaara.... |
Poonam | Hindi Bollywood Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing... |
| Virasat Virasat (1997 film) Virasat is a Hindi musical drama film by Priyadarshan that was released in India in 1997. It starred Anil Kapoor, Tabu, Amrish Puri, Pooja Batra, Milind Gunaji and Govind Namdeo. The story was by Kamal Hassan and Anu Malik was the music composer... |
Anita | Hindi Bollywood Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing... |
|
| Bhai | Pooja | Hindi Bollywood Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing... |
|
| Chandralekha Chandralekha (1997 film) Chandralekha is a 1997 Malayalam film written and directed by Priyadarshan and produced by Fazil. Audiences were ecstatic on seeing the energetic performance of Mohanlal and counted this as his comeback film. This also brought back the old successful combo of Mohanlal and Sreenivasan, which was... |
Lekha | Malayalam | |
| 1998 | Sham Ghansham | Roopa | Hindi Bollywood Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing... |
| Greeku Veerudu | Telugu | ||
| Saazish Saazish (1998 film) Saazish is a 1998 Hindi-language Indian feature film directed by Sudhir R Nair, starring Mithun Chakraborty, Pooja Batra, Helen, Aruna Irani, Vikas Bhalla, Ishrat Ali and Kashmira Shah-Plot:... |
Hindi Bollywood Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing... |
||
| 1999 | Megham Megham Megham is a 1999 Malayalam musical comedy film directed by Priyadarshan, starring Mammootty, Priya Gill, Dileep, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Pooja Batra, Sreenivasan, Nedumudi Venu, Captain Raju, and Cochin Haneefa. The music was composed by Ouseppachan... |
Col. Thampuran's wife, swati | Malayalam |
| Oruvan Oruvan Oruvan is a 1999 Tamil language film directed by Suresh Krishna. The film features Sarathkumar and Pooja Batra in lead roles whilst Devayani, Raghuvaran and Anandaraj play supporting roles.-Cast:*Sarathkumar as Surya*Pooja Batra as Kalpana... |
Kalpana | Tamil Tamil cinema Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered... |
|
| Haseena Maan Jaayegi Haseena Maan Jaayegi Haseena Maan Jaayegi is a 1999 Indian Bollywood film, starring Govinda, Sanjay Dutt, Karishma Kapoor, Pooja Batra, Anupam Kher, Kader Khan, Aruna Irani and Paresh Rawal. It was directed by David Dhawan.-Plot:... |
Pooja Verma | Hindi Bollywood Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing... |
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| 2000 | Bas Yaari Rakho | Pratibha | Hindi Bollywood Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing... |
| Daivathinte Makan | Malayalam | ||
| Kandukondain Kandukondain Kandukondain Kandukondain Kandukondain Kandukondain is a 2000 Tamil musical and romantic film based on Jane Austen's novel Sense and Sensibility. Directed and co-written by Rajiv Menon, the film features an ensemble cast of Ajith Kumar, Mammootty, Tabu, Aishwarya Rai and Abbas in the lead roles... |
Nandini | Tamil Tamil cinema Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered... |
|
| Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye | Mona | Hindi Bollywood Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing... |
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| 2001 | Ittefaq Ittefaq The Daily Ittefaq is a daily newspaper which is one of the most published and circulated newspaper published from Bangladesh. This newspaper printed in Bengali by Ittefaq Group of Publications Limited... |
Roshni Hiranandani | Hindi Bollywood Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing... |
| Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya is a 1966 Bollywood film. It stars Dharmendra, Nutan, Rehman and Jeevan. The music is by Sonik Omi.-Plot:The story of the eternal friendship between two men, 'Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya' is a musical classic. Ashok and Amjad are thick friends. This movie showcases their immense... |
Sonia Chopra | Hindi Bollywood Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing... |
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| Farz Farz Farz is a word of Persian origin, also used in Urdu and Hindi, meaning one's duty.- Hindi Films :Farz is also the title of three Indian Hindi movies:* Farz , starring Agha... |
Seductress | Hindi Bollywood Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing... |
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| Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi is a 2001 Indian film directed by Rahul Rawail and starring Kajol in a double role as two estranged identical twins. The storyline follows the general theme of its Hollywood counterpart The Parent Trap, but with the added melodrama and slight-changed storyline of a... |
Savitri | Hindi Bollywood Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing... |
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| Jodi No.1 Jodi No.1 Jodi No.1 is a 2001 Bollywood crime comedy film directed by David Dhawan and starring Govinda and Sanjay Dutt along with Shakti Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Monica Bedi and Twinkle Khanna.-Plot:... |
Casino Dancer | Hindi Bollywood Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing... |
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| Nayak: The Real Hero Nayak: The Real Hero Nayak: The Real Hero is a 2001 Indian movie starring Anil Kapoor and Rani Mukerji. It was directed by S. Shankar. The film is a remake of S. Shankar's earlier released Tamil film Mudhalvan . The film's score and soundtrack, composed by A. R. Rahman, were dubbed from Mudhalvan into Hindi for the... |
Laila | Hindi Bollywood Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing... |
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| 2003 | Talaash: The Hunt Begins | Kamini | Hindi Bollywood Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing... |
| Parwana Parwana Parwana is a 2003 Bollywood drama film directed by Deepak Bahry. The film stars Ajay Devgan as an orphan and Amisha Patel.Summary='PARWANA' is a story of an orphan - who lives in a basti. He has one mission to help the poor people of basti - for that he does odd jobs without harming any body... |
Parwana's associate | Hindi Bollywood Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing... |
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| 2005 | Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story | Noor Jahan | Hindi Bollywood Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing... |