Pooja Umashankar
Encyclopedia
Pooja Gauthami Umashankar (25 June 1981) is an actress of Kannadiga Lingayat origin who has appeared in Tamil
, Malayalam, Sinhala
and Amateur film
s. Following a series of successful commercial ventures, Bala
's Naan Kadavul
saw Pooja's performance as a blind beggar praised by the critics, securing major awards, including the South Filmfare
and Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
which established her as one of the finest actors of Tamil Cinema. She simultaneously appeared in several commercial successes in Sinhala Cinema like Anjalika and Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe, thus establishing herself as one of the leading actresses of Sinhala cinema
.Pooja has also been a part of the Malayalam film Panthaya Kozhi and the Telugu film Orange.Pooja in 2011 appeared in an Amateur film
Mirage to encourage the Industry.Pooja has confessed in an recent AFI chat show that she has quit acting in movies.
, Sinhalese, Tamil
, and English
. She went to school and college in Bangalore
, Baldwin's and Mount Carmel College respectively. Her father's name is Uma Shankar who was at Valparai working with Hindustan Unilever Limited as a manager. Her father was not at all interested in film industry but she was attached to it.
Vanathy has been her mentor throughout her acting career.
in Tamil
with Shaam
, Laila
, Arya
, and Asin Thottumkal
which was directed by the late Jeeva
. It wasn't released until her second and third films Jay Jay
and Attagasam
released in 2003 and 2004 respectively.She went to appear in several hits like Thambi
and Pori
which finally established her as a star heroine in Tamil cinema. She bagged one of the main roles in Bala
's Naan Kadavul
by replacing Bhavana and her performance was appreciated by the Superstar Rajinikanth himself.This film earned her several awards including the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil and Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Character Artiste.This changed people's opinion of Pooja.She transformed from a star to a actress.
.She is the brand ambassador for SLT
(Sri Lanka Telecom).She is filming for the mega budget film KUSA PABHA
Industry) venture titled MIRAGE shot in September 2011. She says, her good friend Abhishek Venkteshwar requested for her participation in this short film. She agreed as, AFI in India is a Bangalore-based Junior Film Industry encouraged by many Schools and Colleges across the State of Karnataka. Initiated basically by youngsters who are passionate about film making FOR THE STUDENTS, BY THE STUDENTS and OF THE STUDENTS .The income received from the proceeds of the film is given to charity and the short film had a good message for the youth.
and Genelia.
,Sun TV
.
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...
, Malayalam, Sinhala
Cinema of Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan cinema encompasses the films made in Sri Lanka. It is a fledgling industry that has struggled to find a footing since its inauguration in 1947 with Kadawunu Poronduwa produced by S.M.Nayagam of Chitra Kala Movietone.Sri Lankan films are usually made in the Sinhalese language, the...
and Amateur film
Amateur film
Amateur Film is the low-budget hobbyist art of film practiced for passion and enjoyment and not for business purposes.-Organizations:The international organization for amateur film makers is UNICA ; in the United States the American Motion Picture Society , in Canada the Society of Canadian Cine...
s. Following a series of successful commercial ventures, Bala
Bala (director)
Bala is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer, working in Tamil cinema. Bala is frequently credited with having "revolutionized Tamil cinema", through his realistic, dark and disturbing films that have garnered high critical acclaim...
's Naan Kadavul
Naan Kadavul
Naan Kadavul is a 2009 Indian Tamil film co-written and directed by Bala, based on the Tamil novel Yezhaam Ulagam by Jayamohan who also penned the dialogues for the film. The film stars Arya and Pooja in the lead roles...
saw Pooja's performance as a blind beggar praised by the critics, securing major awards, including the South Filmfare
Filmfare Awards South
Filmfare Awards South is the South Indian segment of the annual Filmfare Awards, presented by The Times Group to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the South Indian film industry. The awards are separately given for Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films...
and Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards are the most notable film awards given for Tamil films in India. They are given annually to honour the best talents and provide encouragement and incentive to the South Indian film industry by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The awards are decided by a committee headed by...
which established her as one of the finest actors of Tamil Cinema. She simultaneously appeared in several commercial successes in Sinhala Cinema like Anjalika and Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe, thus establishing herself as one of the leading actresses of Sinhala cinema
Cinema of Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan cinema encompasses the films made in Sri Lanka. It is a fledgling industry that has struggled to find a footing since its inauguration in 1947 with Kadawunu Poronduwa produced by S.M.Nayagam of Chitra Kala Movietone.Sri Lankan films are usually made in the Sinhalese language, the...
.Pooja has also been a part of the Malayalam film Panthaya Kozhi and the Telugu film Orange.Pooja in 2011 appeared in an Amateur film
Amateur film
Amateur Film is the low-budget hobbyist art of film practiced for passion and enjoyment and not for business purposes.-Organizations:The international organization for amateur film makers is UNICA ; in the United States the American Motion Picture Society , in Canada the Society of Canadian Cine...
Mirage to encourage the Industry.Pooja has confessed in an recent AFI chat show that she has quit acting in movies.
Early life
Her mother is a Sri Lankan Sinhalese and her father is an Indian Kannadiga Lingayat. The languages she can speak are KannadaKannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
, Sinhalese, Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
, and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
. She went to school and college in Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, Baldwin's and Mount Carmel College respectively. Her father's name is Uma Shankar who was at Valparai working with Hindustan Unilever Limited as a manager. Her father was not at all interested in film industry but she was attached to it.
Vanathy has been her mentor throughout her acting career.
Tamil
Her debut film was Ullam KetkumaeUllam Ketkumae
Ullam Ketkumae is a 2005 Tamil romantic film directed and co-written by Jeeva, with dialogues by Sujatha. The film features Shaam, Arya, Laila, Asin and Pooja in the lead roles as five college students. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Harris Jayaraj, while Vairamuthu penned the...
in Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
with Shaam
Shaam
Shamshuddin Ibrahim, known professionally as Shaam , is a Tamil film actor and model. Starting his career as a professional model, he soon made his acting debut in the film Khushi , appearing in a cameo role. He further appeared in lead roles in critically and commercially successful films such as...
, Laila
Laila Mehdin
Laila Mehdin is an Indian actress. She has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi language films. She is probably best known for her critically acclaimed and award-winning performances in the Bala-directed films Nandha and Pithamagan.-Career:She made her debut in the Telugu film...
, Arya
Arya (actor)
Arya is an Indian film actor who mainly appears in Tamil films. He is best known for his roles in the films Pattiyal , Naan Kadavul , Madrasapattinam , and Boss Engira Bhaskaran.-Personal life:...
, and Asin Thottumkal
Asin Thottumkal
Asin Thottumkal , known mononymously as Asin, is an Indian film actress, model and stage performer who acts primarily in Bollywood and Kollywood....
which was directed by the late Jeeva
Jeeva (director)
Jeeva was a popular cinematographer and film director in Tamil cinema.-Career:The four completed films he directed, namely 12B, Run , Ullam Ketkumae and Unnale Unnale, have become blockbusters. He died after suffering acute cardiac arrest in Russia on 25 June at the age of 43...
. It wasn't released until her second and third films Jay Jay
Jay Jay
Jay Jay is a 2003 Tamil romance film directed by Saran. It's a story about lucky love and how love stays strong. The movie stars R. Madhavan, Pooja, Amoga, Kalabhavan Mani, Charle, Dhamu, Giridhar, Adithya, Reema Sen, Malavika Avinash and Gemini Balaji. The title is formed from the first alphabets...
and Attagasam
Attagasam
Attahasam is a 2004 Tamil film directed by Saran featuring Ajith Kumar in dual lead roles with Pooja playing the female lead. Sujatha, Karunas and Ramesh Khanna play pivotal roles in the film, while the score and soundtrack are composed by Bharathwaj....
released in 2003 and 2004 respectively.She went to appear in several hits like Thambi
Thambi
Thambi is Tamil film released in 2006. The Madhavan, Pooja starrer is directed by Seeman. It carries the message that violence doesn't pay, and is not the answer to the problems of today.-Plot:...
and Pori
Pori
Pori is a city and municipality on the west coast of Finland. The city is located some from the Gulf of Bothnia, on the estuary of the Kokemäenjoki river, which is the largest in Finland. Pori is the most important town in the Satakunta region....
which finally established her as a star heroine in Tamil cinema. She bagged one of the main roles in Bala
Bala (director)
Bala is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer, working in Tamil cinema. Bala is frequently credited with having "revolutionized Tamil cinema", through his realistic, dark and disturbing films that have garnered high critical acclaim...
's Naan Kadavul
Naan Kadavul
Naan Kadavul is a 2009 Indian Tamil film co-written and directed by Bala, based on the Tamil novel Yezhaam Ulagam by Jayamohan who also penned the dialogues for the film. The film stars Arya and Pooja in the lead roles...
by replacing Bhavana and her performance was appreciated by the Superstar Rajinikanth himself.This film earned her several awards including the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil and Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Character Artiste.This changed people's opinion of Pooja.She transformed from a star to a actress.
Sinhala
She became a sensation in Sri Lankan film industry and a household name after the success of Anjalika (2005) and Asai Man Piyambanna (2007). She then on went to appear in several blockbusters in Sinhala Cinema and went on to become a female superstar of Sri Lankan cinema.Pooja became larger than life in Sri Lanka and her popularity made all her films super hits.Pooja still is the No 1 star in Sinhala CinemaCinema of Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan cinema encompasses the films made in Sri Lanka. It is a fledgling industry that has struggled to find a footing since its inauguration in 1947 with Kadawunu Poronduwa produced by S.M.Nayagam of Chitra Kala Movietone.Sri Lankan films are usually made in the Sinhalese language, the...
.She is the brand ambassador for SLT
Sri Lanka Telecom
Sri Lanka Telecom PLC is the premier telecommunications services provider in Sri Lanka and one of the country’s most valuable blue chip companies with an annual turnover in excess of Rs 40 billion...
(Sri Lanka Telecom).She is filming for the mega budget film KUSA PABHA
AFI
Pooja has recently been a part of an AFI (Amateur filmAmateur film
Amateur Film is the low-budget hobbyist art of film practiced for passion and enjoyment and not for business purposes.-Organizations:The international organization for amateur film makers is UNICA ; in the United States the American Motion Picture Society , in Canada the Society of Canadian Cine...
Industry) venture titled MIRAGE shot in September 2011. She says, her good friend Abhishek Venkteshwar requested for her participation in this short film. She agreed as, AFI in India is a Bangalore-based Junior Film Industry encouraged by many Schools and Colleges across the State of Karnataka. Initiated basically by youngsters who are passionate about film making FOR THE STUDENTS, BY THE STUDENTS and OF THE STUDENTS .The income received from the proceeds of the film is given to charity and the short film had a good message for the youth.
Telugu
Pooja appeared in a guest Role as a teacher in the Telugu film Orange.The film starred Ram Charan TejaRam Charan Teja
Ram Charan Teja Konidala is an Indian film actor. He is the son of Telugu actor Chiranjeevi. He made his debut as lead actor with the film Chirutha in 2007. He currently serves on the board of directors for MAA TV. He was the brand ambassador for Pepsi and Airtel in Andhra Pradesh for sometime...
and Genelia.
Television
She is one of the judges in the popular reality dance show Aatam Paatam Kondatam opposite dance master Prasanna on Kalaignar TVKalaignar TV
Kalaignar TV is a Tamil language satellite television channel based in Chennai, India.-History:After disputes between Kalanithi Maran and M. K. Azhagiri, Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi launched this channel on September 15 2007...
,Sun TV
Sun TV
Sun TV may refer to:* Sun TV , a Tamil cable television channel in Chennai, India, owned by Sun TV Network** Sun TV Network, the company that owns the Tamil television channel...
.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Film Industry | |Notes | Hero |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Jay Jay Jay Jay Jay Jay is a 2003 Tamil romance film directed by Saran. It's a story about lucky love and how love stays strong. The movie stars R. Madhavan, Pooja, Amoga, Kalabhavan Mani, Charle, Dhamu, Giridhar, Adithya, Reema Sen, Malavika Avinash and Gemini Balaji. The title is formed from the first alphabets... |
Seema | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... |
R Madhavan | |
| 2004 | Attagasam Attagasam Attahasam is a 2004 Tamil film directed by Saran featuring Ajith Kumar in dual lead roles with Pooja playing the female lead. Sujatha, Karunas and Ramesh Khanna play pivotal roles in the film, while the score and soundtrack are composed by Bharathwaj.... |
Priya | Tamil | Ajith Kumar Ajith Kumar Ajith Kumar is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Tamil cinema. He began his career as a supporting actor in a Telugu film before gaining critical recognition in the Tamil thriller Aasai . A succession of high-grossing films followed where Ajith was usually depicted as a romantic hero, with... |
|
| 2005 | Ullam Ketkumae Ullam Ketkumae Ullam Ketkumae is a 2005 Tamil romantic film directed and co-written by Jeeva, with dialogues by Sujatha. The film features Shaam, Arya, Laila, Asin and Pooja in the lead roles as five college students. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Harris Jayaraj, while Vairamuthu penned the... |
Irene | Tamil | Shaam Shaam Shamshuddin Ibrahim, known professionally as Shaam , is a Tamil film actor and model. Starting his career as a professional model, he soon made his acting debut in the film Khushi , appearing in a cameo role. He further appeared in lead roles in critically and commercially successful films such as... |
|
| 2005 | Githan Githan Jithan is a Tamil film directed by Vincent Selva. The film stars debutant Jithan Ramesh , Pooja, Sarath Kumar, Livingston and Kalabhavan Mani. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by... |
Priya | Tamil | Jithan Ramesh | |
| 2005 | Anjalika | Anjalika, Uththara |
Sinhala | Channa Perera | |
| 2006 | Pattiyal Pattiyal Pattiyal is a 2006 Indian Tamil gangster film directed by Vishnuvardhan. The film tackles the issue of dons. It stars Arya, Bharath, Pooja Umashankar, Padmapriya Janakiraman, Cochin Haneefa and Santhana Bharathi in pivotal roles. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja... |
Sandhya | Tamil | Bharath Bharath Bharath is an Indian actor, who appears in Tamil films. He is probably best known for his critically acclaimed performances in Kaadhal, Pattiyal, Veyil and Kanden Kadhalai.-Early life:... |
|
| 2006 | Thambi Thambi Thambi is Tamil film released in 2006. The Madhavan, Pooja starrer is directed by Seeman. It carries the message that violence doesn't pay, and is not the answer to the problems of today.-Plot:... |
Archana | Tamil | R Madhavan | |
| 2006 | Thagapansamy Thagapansamy Thagapansamy is a Tamil movie starring Prashanth, Pooja, Namitha, Karunas, Mahadevan and Vincent Asokan and music composed by Srikanth Deva. The film is directed by Shiva Shanmugam.-Plot:... |
Marikozhundhu Shanmugam | Tamil | Prashanth Prashanth Prashanth is an Indian film actor who appeared in several Tamil films, as well as a few Telugu films, Hindi and Malayalam films.The son of noted actor-director Thyagarajan, Prashanth began his career at 17 by appearing in Vaigasi Poranthachu and went on to feature in other acclaimed films... |
|
| 2007 | Pori Pori (film) Pori is a Tamil film directed by Subramani Siva. Subramani Siva, who rendered his debut Thiruda Thirudi, a 2004 runaway blockbuster. This movie has Jeeva in the lead and Pooja as his lady love. The film failed to make an impact in box office.-Plot:Hari is an unemployed youth who runs a pavement... |
Pooja | Tamil | Jeeva | |
| 2007 | Panthaya Kozhi Panthaya Kozhi Panthaya Kozhi is a Malayalam movie produced by Lal under the banner of Lal Creations, the biggest banner of present Malluwood cinema.It's directed by M.A.Venu, who last did that off-beat Chakoram. Narain pairs up with Pooja for the first time. Through this movie he's launched as a full fledged... |
Shenbagam | Malayalam | Narain Narain (actor) Narain is an Indian film actor, who appears in Malayalam and Tamil films.- Personal life:Narain was born in Thrissur, Kerala to Malayali parents. His father is Ponnani Kizhakke Kalathil T.M.Ramakrishnan Nair and his mother is Shantha Nair... |
|
| 2007 | Asai Mang Piyabanna | Ranmalee | Sinhala | Roshan Ranawana | |
| 2007 | Oram Po | Rani | Tamil | Arya Arya (actor) Arya is an Indian film actor who mainly appears in Tamil films. He is best known for his roles in the films Pattiyal , Naan Kadavul , Madrasapattinam , and Boss Engira Bhaskaran.-Personal life:... |
|
| 2007 | Yahaluvo | Sinhala | Sujeewa Senasinghe | ||
| 2009 | Naan Kadavul Naan Kadavul Naan Kadavul is a 2009 Indian Tamil film co-written and directed by Bala, based on the Tamil novel Yezhaam Ulagam by Jayamohan who also penned the dialogues for the film. The film stars Arya and Pooja in the lead roles... |
Hamshavalli | Tamil | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Character Artiste Vijay Award for Best Actress Vijay Award for Best Actress The Vijay Award for Best Actress is given by STAR Vijay as part of its annual Vijay Awards ceremony for Tamil films. It was given from the second ceremony onwards.-Winners and nominations:*2007 Priyamani - Paruthiveeran... |
Arya Arya (actor) Arya is an Indian film actor who mainly appears in Tamil films. He is best known for his roles in the films Pattiyal , Naan Kadavul , Madrasapattinam , and Boss Engira Bhaskaran.-Personal life:... |
| 2009 | TN-07 AL 4777 | Tamil | Guest appearance | Pasupathy Pasupathy Pasupathy is an Indian film actor. He has appeared in several critically acclaimed roles in many noted Tamil films, essaying supporting, antagonistic, comedic as well as protagonistic roles.-Early life and career:... |
|
| 2010 | Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe | Sinhala | Roshan Ranawana | ||
| 2010 | Drohi | Roja | Tamil | Guest appearance | Srikanth Srikanth (actor) Srikanth is a South Indian film actor who has appeared in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam language films. He debuted in the 2002 Tamil film Roja Kootam before going on to make notable appearances in successful films such as Parthiban Kanavu and Adavari Matalaku Ardhalu Verule... |
| 2010 | Orange | Teacher | Telugu | Guest appearance | Ram Charan Teja Ram Charan Teja Ram Charan Teja Konidala is an Indian film actor. He is the son of Telugu actor Chiranjeevi. He made his debut as lead actor with the film Chirutha in 2007. He currently serves on the board of directors for MAA TV. He was the brand ambassador for Pepsi and Airtel in Andhra Pradesh for sometime... |
| 2011 | Kusa-Paba | Pabawathi | Sinhala | Filming | Jackson Anthony Jackson Anthony Konganige Joseph Malsi Jackson Anthony is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema . Though he has become popular from his career as an actor... |
| 2011 | Mirage | Priya | Amateur film Amateur film Amateur Film is the low-budget hobbyist art of film practiced for passion and enjoyment and not for business purposes.-Organizations:The international organization for amateur film makers is UNICA ; in the United States the American Motion Picture Society , in Canada the Society of Canadian Cine... |
First Short film in English | Abhishek Venkteshwar |