Pooja Batra (born was on October 27, 1976) in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, is an Indian actress.
Early life
Bhatra was born to Ravi Batra, an army colonel was wounded in the 1971 war between India and Pakistan India
She went to Kendriya Vidyalaya, she enjoyed sports, debates and plays. She was a good athlete competing in the 200 and 400 meter dash.
She majored in Economics at the Fergusson College Symbiosis College
She almost joined the Indian Air Force as a pilot, but modeling came calling at an early age.
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 the Head and Shoulders dandruff shampoo in India
She sought to fame when she was crowned Miss. India in 1993. She went on to become one of the top supermodels in India India
She has played the lead role in over 20 movies, including "Taj Mahal", a historical epic that was shown at the Cannes
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.
Later career
The first film she signed was Virasat in 1997. She worked in over 21 films including Haseena Maan Jayegi, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya and Kahin Pyar Na Ho Jaye.
She is very tall, standing at almost 5'11 inches being taller than most bollywood actors, for example:- Hrithik, Anil, Akshay khanna, Sunil and slightly shorter in flats than Akshaye Kumar and John Abraham.
Pooja Batra worked in Malayalam films, majority of them being with Megastars Mohanlal and Mamootty. She also did two Tamil films. She also did theatre and toured North America which got her considerable acclaim.
Personal life
Batra is married to an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Sonu Ahluwalia, and lives in Los Angeles , California
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 Canada Malaysia
Awards and nominations
1997: Best Supporting Actress win for Virasat
1997: Most Promising Newcomer nomination for Virasat
2006: Best Actress nomination for Taj Mahal-An Eternal Love Story
Filmography
Year Film Role Other notes
1995 Aasai Guest appearance Tamil film
Sisindri Telugu film
1997 Vishwavidhaata Poonam Malayalam film
Virasat Anita
Bhai Pooja
Chandralekha Driver's daughter Malayalam film
1998 Sham Ghansham Roopa
Greeku Veerudu Telugu film
1999 Megham Col. Thampuran's wife, Meghom Malayalam film
Oruvan Tamil film
Haseena Maan Jaayegi Pooja Verma
2000 Bas Yaari Rakho Pratibha
Kandukondain Kandukondain Nandini Tamil film
Kahin Pyaar na Ho Jaaye Mona
2001 Ittefaq Roshni Hiranandani
Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya Sonia Chopra
Farz Seductress
Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi Savitri
Jodi No.1 Casino Dancer
Nayak: The Real Hero Laila
2003 Talaash: The Hunt Begins Kamini
Parwana Parwana's associate
2005 Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story Noor Jahan