Bangalore: "I never expected that Mungaru Male will be a big hit," says Pooja Gandhi sipping a cup of coffee with her eyes wide open. "I watched the movie, first day, first show at Sagar theatre. I did not understand many dialogues. But it was such a thrilling experience that my first Kannada movie was a grand hit and at the theatre I was mobbed and sought out for autographs."
The movie became so popular that Pooja Gandhi came to be known as `Mungaru Male hudugi.' Born on October 11 in Meerut to a traditional Punjabi family, she schooled at Sophia convent and Dewan Public School in Meerut. Her father Pawan Gandhi's a businessman and mother Jyothi Gandhi, a housewife. Pooja's sister Radhika Gandhi has already made a name in Sandalwood having acted in two movies, while her second sister Suhani Gandhi is a tennis player.
"I was very mischievous in my school days," recalls Pooja of her childhood."Always a backbencher with a group of friends, I don't know how many times I was sent out of class for making noise. I was an expert in imitating my teachers and that was the funniest part of my school life." Today Pooja admits to forging her parents signatures on marks cards just to avoid being reprimanded at home for low marks.
Pooja then had a passion for Barbie dolls. "We had a lot of relatives residing on our lane in Meerut. The young ones used to come home and ask for dolls. But I was reluctant to spare mine. I used to pull their hair and fight with them. If they still insisted, I used to break the dolls and give them," she laughs.
She grew up fighting with her sisters for chocolates and clothes and "playing kunto bille, hide and seek, carom and skating with friends and relatives." The stardom that awaited her in the future could be gauged from the dance contests she used to conduct for her friends. "I am a fan of Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit. I loved their dances. So I used to invite friends home and organize a small dance contest and whoever danced like Madhuri or Sridevi would get Rs 10." Any doubts that the organizer of the contest, walked away winner everytime?
There's a spiritual side to Pooja evidenced by her learning to chant Hanuman Chalisa at a very young age. Even today, she begins her day reciting it and lighting a diya in her pooja room. A Shiva bhakt, Pooja says, "Spiritualism is part of my life." Reading `An autobiography of a yogi,' by Yogananda in 2007 changed her life. "I became mentally strong. I learnt that there is nothing impossible in this world. Whatever we think can always become true. In 2007, I became a disciple of the Guru.'' Pooja has some excellent collection of religious books like `In Divine Friendship,' by Swami Kriyananda, `Kriya Yoga Preparation' which she reads whenever she has time. She's planning to undertake the Amarnath yathra this June.
At home on non-shooting days, it's time for Pooja to try her hand preparing paneer ke sabji, salads, pasta and parathas with loads of ghee. "I am a fan of Guru Dutt and love to listen to old hits of Lata Mangeshkar, S P Balasubramanyam, Hariharan, Sonu Nigam and Raj Kapoor is my favourite artiste.''
It was in 2000 that Pooja's parents shifted to Mumbai on business. "Since I wanted to make a name on the big screen, I started acting in TV serials, starting with `Zameen se Asman' directed by Aruna Irani. It was a triangular love story. I acted in the serial for one and a half years.".
Kokki, a Tamil movie directed by Prabhu Solomon with Karan as hero changed her fortune. "It was in 2004. I was selected as a heroine. I was very happy as I had dropped several offers before that.''
The year 2006 Sandalwood saw a star born when she accepted `Mungaru Male' directed by Yograj Bhat with Ganesh as hero. Bhat who had watched `Kokki' called me on the phone and asked me whether I am interested in acting in his movie. Then Preetham Gubbi narrated the story over the phone. They also couriered the costume for me. After giving much thought, I accepted the offer."
Pooja landed in Bangalore for the first time on the night of June 1 ,2006 and directly left for Sakleshpur for shooting. "I was a stranger on the sets. Everyone was staring at me as I am new to them and didn't know the language or the culture. After make-up trial, the first shot was the shot with a car where I throw a hanky. For two and a half months, it was a sweet experience for me as I mixed with the crew and started learning Kannada."
There's been no looking back since. Offers poured and she carved a niche for herself in the Kannada film industry with over a dozen movies to her credit. They include, Kodagana koli Nungitha, Manmahta, Milana, Buddhivantha, Huchi, Ta Mahal and Honey Honey.
QUOTE: "I never work for money. I always love to work with people with whom I am comfortable. I don't feel the urge to go out and act. After sweet and bitter experiences, now I ask for script with screen play. If I am happy, I will accept the offer. Otherwise, I have no hesitation in rejecting them." she added.
The movie became so popular that Pooja Gandhi came to be known as `Mungaru Male hudugi.' Born on October 11 in Meerut to a traditional Punjabi family, she schooled at Sophia convent and Dewan Public School in Meerut. Her father Pawan Gandhi's a businessman and mother Jyothi Gandhi, a housewife. Pooja's sister Radhika Gandhi has already made a name in Sandalwood having acted in two movies, while her second sister Suhani Gandhi is a tennis player.
"I was very mischievous in my school days," recalls Pooja of her childhood."Always a backbencher with a group of friends, I don't know how many times I was sent out of class for making noise. I was an expert in imitating my teachers and that was the funniest part of my school life." Today Pooja admits to forging her parents signatures on marks cards just to avoid being reprimanded at home for low marks.
Pooja then had a passion for Barbie dolls. "We had a lot of relatives residing on our lane in Meerut. The young ones used to come home and ask for dolls. But I was reluctant to spare mine. I used to pull their hair and fight with them. If they still insisted, I used to break the dolls and give them," she laughs.
She grew up fighting with her sisters for chocolates and clothes and "playing kunto bille, hide and seek, carom and skating with friends and relatives." The stardom that awaited her in the future could be gauged from the dance contests she used to conduct for her friends. "I am a fan of Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit. I loved their dances. So I used to invite friends home and organize a small dance contest and whoever danced like Madhuri or Sridevi would get Rs 10." Any doubts that the organizer of the contest, walked away winner everytime?
There's a spiritual side to Pooja evidenced by her learning to chant Hanuman Chalisa at a very young age. Even today, she begins her day reciting it and lighting a diya in her pooja room. A Shiva bhakt, Pooja says, "Spiritualism is part of my life." Reading `An autobiography of a yogi,' by Yogananda in 2007 changed her life. "I became mentally strong. I learnt that there is nothing impossible in this world. Whatever we think can always become true. In 2007, I became a disciple of the Guru.'' Pooja has some excellent collection of religious books like `In Divine Friendship,' by Swami Kriyananda, `Kriya Yoga Preparation' which she reads whenever she has time. She's planning to undertake the Amarnath yathra this June.
At home on non-shooting days, it's time for Pooja to try her hand preparing paneer ke sabji, salads, pasta and parathas with loads of ghee. "I am a fan of Guru Dutt and love to listen to old hits of Lata Mangeshkar, S P Balasubramanyam, Hariharan, Sonu Nigam and Raj Kapoor is my favourite artiste.''
It was in 2000 that Pooja's parents shifted to Mumbai on business. "Since I wanted to make a name on the big screen, I started acting in TV serials, starting with `Zameen se Asman' directed by Aruna Irani. It was a triangular love story. I acted in the serial for one and a half years.".
Kokki, a Tamil movie directed by Prabhu Solomon with Karan as hero changed her fortune. "It was in 2004. I was selected as a heroine. I was very happy as I had dropped several offers before that.''
The year 2006 Sandalwood saw a star born when she accepted `Mungaru Male' directed by Yograj Bhat with Ganesh as hero. Bhat who had watched `Kokki' called me on the phone and asked me whether I am interested in acting in his movie. Then Preetham Gubbi narrated the story over the phone. They also couriered the costume for me. After giving much thought, I accepted the offer."
Pooja landed in Bangalore for the first time on the night of June 1 ,2006 and directly left for Sakleshpur for shooting. "I was a stranger on the sets. Everyone was staring at me as I am new to them and didn't know the language or the culture. After make-up trial, the first shot was the shot with a car where I throw a hanky. For two and a half months, it was a sweet experience for me as I mixed with the crew and started learning Kannada."
There's been no looking back since. Offers poured and she carved a niche for herself in the Kannada film industry with over a dozen movies to her credit. They include, Kodagana koli Nungitha, Manmahta, Milana, Buddhivantha, Huchi, Ta Mahal and Honey Honey.
QUOTE: "I never work for money. I always love to work with people with whom I am comfortable. I don't feel the urge to go out and act. After sweet and bitter experiences, now I ask for script with screen play. If I am happy, I will accept the offer. Otherwise, I have no hesitation in rejecting them." she added.
