Pooja Gandhiis an Indian actress and model who mainly works inKannada-language films.[1][2]After starring in the commercially successful 2006 filmMungaru Male,Gandhi became one of the most-popular and highest-paid actresses in Kannada-language films and won several awards, including an honorary doctorate.[3][4][5][6]Gandhi is most-commonly referred to asMale Hudugi(Rain Girl) in the media and theKannada film industry.[7][8]Gandhi has acted in over five languages and 50 films in a decade.[9][10][1]TheBangalore Timesplaced her in its list of "25 Most Desirable Women of 2012".[11][12][13]
Pooja Gandhi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Meerut,Uttar Pradesh,India |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Known for | Mungaru MaleandDandupalya |
| Political party |
|
| Spouse |
Vijay Ghorpade (m.2023) |
Gandhi made her acting debut in 2001 with the Hindi filmKhatron Ke KhiladioppositeRaj Babbar.[14]Since then, she has played lead roles in commercially successful films such asKokki(2006),Mungaru Male(2006),Milana(2007),Krishna(2007),Taj Mahal(2008),Budhivanta(2008),Anu(2009),Gokula(2009),Dandupalya(2012),Dandupalya 2(2017) andDandupalya 3(2018).[15]Following the success of a series of films, Gandhi established herself as one of Kannada cinema's leading actresses.[16][17]
In 2012, Gandhi joined the political partyJanata Dal (Secular),[18]before joining the KJP party and later theBSR Congressparty. She contested the Karnataka assembly elections in the constituencyRaichur[19]but failed to win the seat.[20]
In 2016, Gandhi received an honorary doctorate award from the Governing Council of Confederation of International Accreditation Commission (CIAC) in affiliation withKEISIE International University – South Korea,for her contribution to the Kannada film industry.[3][21]
Early years and personal life
Gandhi was born inMeerut,Uttar Pradesh,India,[22]and was raised inDelhi[23]in a traditionalPunjabifamily. Her father Pawan Gandhi is a businessman and her mother Jyothi Gandhi is a housewife. Pooja studied at Sophia Convent and Dewan Public School in Meerut. Her younger sisters are Radhika Gandhi, who is also an actress in Kannada films, and Suhani Gandhi, a tennis player.[22][24]Pooja Gandhi started her career as amodel,appearing in advertisements and television series includingAwaz – Dil Se Dil Tak– a Hindi-language remake ofLost– andZameen Se Aassman Tak,which was directed byAruna Irani.[23]
Gandhi was engaged to the industrialist Anand Gowda in November 2012 and ended the relationship the following month.[25][26]In 2023, Gandhi married her long-time friend the businessman Vijay Ghorpade in accordance withKuvempu's Mantra Mangalya concept.[27]
Career
Debut (2001)
Pooja Gandhi started her acting career in televisionsoap operas,starting withZameen Se Aassman Tak.[22]Her film debut, at the age of 18, was theHindifilmKhatron Ke Khiladi(2001). Gandhi later appeared in theBengalifilmTomake Salamand in 2003, she moved to the South Indian film industry with theTamilfilmKokki(2006), which received moderate reviews and was successful at the box office.[24]
Initial success and fame in Kannada (2006–08)
Gandhi's debut in the Kannada film industry was inMungaru Male,[citation needed]which became the first film in India in any language to be screened continuously for one year in a multiplex,[citation needed]and ultimately ran over 865-days[28]inKarnataka.[29]Mungaru Malecollected over ₹75 crore in its theatrical run at the Indian box office, and became the highest-grossing South Indian film during its time of release.[30]Gandhi received praise for her performance as aNandini in the film;Indicine'scritic stated: "Sanjana makes a confident debut".[31]She then acted inMilanawithPuneeth Rajkumar;it was theatrically released on 14 September 2007, gained commercial success and completed a 500-day run in theatres.Milanawas dubbed intoMalayalamasIshtam Enikkishtam.[citation needed]In the same year, Gandhi acted inKrishnawith herMungaru Maleco-starGanesh,it was a financial hit at the box office, completing 100-days. It marked the second-consecutive hit of the Ganesh and Gandhi pairing afterMungaru Male.[citation needed]Krishnamarked Gandhi's hat-trick 100-day film in her Kannada film career.[citation needed]
In 2008, she starred withAjay Raoin the financially successful[citation needed]Kannada-language filmTaj Mahal,which ran over 200 days in two centres in Karnataka.[citation needed]She was nominated for aFilmfare Best Actress Award;Sify's critic wrote: "Pooja Gandhi looks pretty and has done a good job".[32]Rediffeditor Vijaysarathy said: "Pooja Gandhi looks stunning and has worked hard to give a strong performance".[33]Her next movie wasBudhivantaalongsideUpendra;it became the highest-grossing Kannada film of 2008 and completed 100-days in main centres in Karnataka.[34]
Series of commercial failures (2009–2011)
Gandhi appeared in more than 12 films in several languages, including, Kannada, most of them failed at the box office.[35]
In 2010, Gandhi made herTelugudebut oppositeNandamuri Taraka RatnaandPoornainMukkanti,which was a financial failure at the box office.[citation needed]
Also in 2010, Gandhi appeared in her thirdHindifilmI AmwithJuhi Chawla.I Amreceived mainly positive reviews from critics and audiences upon the theatrical release.The Times of Indiacalled it "an important and intelligent film"[36]andThe Film Street Journalnamed it "a must watch".[37]In 2012,I Amwon theNational AwardforBest Hindi FilmandBest Lyrics.[38]
Critical acclaim and box office success (2012–18)
In 2012, Gandhi made a comeback in the female-oriented filmDandupalya,which went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of the Kannada industry,[39]and completed 100-day theatrical runs in Karnataka andAndhra Pradesh.[40][41][42]It collected over ₹40crore[citation needed]against budget of ₹3 crore.[43][44]Gandhi receivedFilmfare Award for Best Kannada ActressandSuvarna Fimfare Award for Best Actressfor her performance inDandupalya.[39]The film was dubbed in Telugu and released asDandupalyam,which was well-received in Andhra Pradesh.[45][46][47]
Critics praised Gandhi for her performance;Rediffsaid she "walks away with acting honours", and called her "a stunner with her vain looks sans makeup throughout the movie and she has lived her role exceptionally well".[48]DNA'scritic wrote: "viewers should not miss out on Pooja's performance".[49]Business Standard'scritic stated:
Pooja Gandhi as the leader of the gang is brilliant and extremely confident in her role. While some may typecast her performance as cheap and unwelcoming, I believe it takes guts for a regular heroine to shed her image and agree to play such a gritty part. She definitely deserves special mention for proving cliches wrong.[50]
The Times of India'scritic stated: "Pooja Gandhi walks away with full honours".[51]
In 2013, Gandhi made herMalayalamfilm debut inMaad Dad(2013) withLalandMeghana Raj.[52]Then she became an Item number in the Kannada filmDirector's Special(2013). According to sources, Gandhi rejected a request to perform a special song forDevaranebut she later accepted this offer because the directorGuruprasadwrote this song with her in mind. She appears in the song as Chanchal Champakali.[53][citation needed]In 2015, she starred in and producedAbhinetri.[54]
In 2017, she starred in theDandupalya 2,[55]which is the sequel toDandupalya.In 2018, her next film wasDandupalya 3, which was simultaneously released in Kannada and Telugu,[56][57]along with almost same cast and crew.[58]Gandhi received acclaim from critics and audiences for her performance in the film. The writer Sunayana Suresh ofThe Times of Indiastated: "Pooja Gandhi in her uninhibited avatar is another person who deserves applause".[59]The writer Sharadha ofNew Indian Expressstated: "Pooja Gandhi wins over the audience with her powerful performance".[60]
Politics
On 18 January 2012, Pooja Gandhi joined the political partyJanata Dal (Secular)(JDS).[61]She then briefly ws a member of theKarnataka Janata Paksha(KJP) but she contested the 2013Karnataka Legislative Assemblyelections in the seat ofRaichuras a candidate forBadavara Shramikara Raitara Congress(BSR Congress) but she failed to win the seat.[62]
Controversy
Pooja Gandhi and the filmDandupalyawere criticised by the social groupBahujan Samaj Horata Samitifor a scene, which they said is offensive. After the movie's release,Ambedkar Kranthi Senaactivists demonstrated inBengaluruagainst the film's "glorification of anti-social activities".[63]Pooja countered this claim, saying: "According to the dictionary, nudity means that you are not covered with a single item of clothing from head to toe. But in this scene, I have worn a sari and I am trying to cover my body, except for my back".[64]
Filmography
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Kannada films
| Year | Film | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Mungaru Male | Nandini | Kannada debut | [65] |
| 2007 | Milana | Priya | [66] | |
| Krishna | Pooja | Suvarna Film Awards for Best Actress | [67] | |
| Manmatha | Herself | Special appearance | ||
| Geleya | Herself | Special appearance in song "Hudugi Malebillu" | [68] | |
| 2008 | Hani Hani | Pooja | [citation needed] | |
| Accident | Pooja | |||
| Kaamannana Makkalu | Herself | Special appearance in the song "Mungaru Male" | [69] | |
| Nee Tata Naa Birla | Pooja | |||
| Taj Mahal | Shruthi | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Kannada Actress | [70] | |
| Kodagana Koli Nungitha | Lakshmi | |||
| Budhivanta | Pooja | [71] | ||
| Maharshi | Manasa Veena | |||
| Janumada Gelathi | Manjula | |||
| Haage Summane | Nandini | Special appearance | ||
| 2009 | Anu | Anu | ||
| Iniya | Janaki | |||
| Huchchi | Preethi | |||
| Ninagaagi Kaadiruve | Shweta Nandan | |||
| Gokula | Leela | |||
| 2010 | Minugu | Sanchitha | ||
| Sri Harikathe | Pooja Krishnamurthy | |||
| Naa Rani Nee Maharani | Rani / Pooja Gandhi |
|||
| Vega | herself | |||
| 2011 | Aptha | Anjali Devi | ||
| Nee Illadhe | Sharanya | |||
| Hare Rama Hare Krishna | Rakshita | |||
| Panchamrutha | Preethi | |||
| Jogayya | Advocate | Cameo appearance | [72] | |
| Paagal | Pooja | |||
| 2012 | Dandupalya | Lakshmi | Suvarna Film Award for Best Actress SIIMA Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress |
[73] |
| Jaihind | Anjali | [74] | ||
| Hosa Prema Purana | Herself | Special appearance in the song "Sye Sye Monika" | ||
| Hasanambha | Maheswari | Special appearance | ||
| 2013 | Director's Special | Herself | Special appearance in the song "Kannalle Eshottu Kolltiya" | [75] |
| 2014 | Kalyanamasthu | Radha | ||
| 2015 | Abhinetri | Sharat Lata / Nanda | Also producer | [76] |
| Thippaji Circle | Thippajji | |||
| 2016 | Kathe Chitrakathe Nirdeshana Puttanna | Herself | Guest appearance | [77] |
| 2017 | Jilebi | Jilebi | [78] | |
| Dandupalya 2 | Kempi | Dubbed in Telugu asDandupalyam 2 | [79] | |
| 2018 | Dandupalya 3 | Lakshmi | Dubbed in Telugu asDandupalyam 3 | [80] |
| 2022 | Samhaarini | Durga | Released directly on television | [81] |
Other language films
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Khatron Ke Khiladi | Sangeeta | Hindi | Hindi debut | [14] |
| 2002 | Dushmani | Pooja | [82] | ||
| 2003 | Tomake Salam | Ankita | Bengali | Bengali debut | [83] |
| 2006 | Kokki | Raji | Tamil | Tamil debut | [84] |
| 2007 | Thottal Poo Malarum | Herself | Special appearance in the song "Vaadi Vambu Pennae" | ||
| 2008 | Vaitheeswaran | Sanjana | [85] | ||
| Thiruvannamalai | Malathy | ||||
| 2009 | Thalai Ezhuthu | Pooja | [86] | ||
| 2010 | Mukkanti | Geeta | Telugu | Telugu Debut | [citation needed] |
| I Am | Aparna | Hindi | |||
| 2013 | Maad Dad | Lisa | Malayalam | Malayalam debut | [87] |
| 2022 | Thaggedele | Lakshmi | Telugu | Dubbed in Kannada asHubli Dhaba | [88] |
As producer
| Year | Title | Language | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Abhinetri | Kannada | Debut as film producer | [89] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-2004 | Awaz – Dil Se Dil Tak | Tanya | Zee TV | Hindi | |
| 2004 | Zameen Se Aassman Tak | Sahara One | |||
| 2016 | Bigg Boss Kannada 3 | Contestant | Colors Kannada | Kannada | She was aTop 5finalist.[10] |
| 2024 | Ninagaagi | Herself | Colors Kannada |
Awards and nominations
| |||||||||||||||||
| Totals | |||||||||||||||||
| Awards won | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| Nominations | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
Awards
| Year[a] | Category | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Best Actress | Suvarna Film Awards | Krishna | Won[67] |
| 2009 | Best Actress | Filmfare Awards South | Taj Mahal | Nominated[70] |
| 2010 | Most popular Actress | Suvarna Film Awards | Gokula | Won[citation needed] |
| 2013 | Best Actress in a Negative Role | South Indian International Movie Awards | Dandupalya | Won[90] |
| Best Actress in a negative role | Filmfare Awards South | Nominated[91] | ||
| Best Actress | Suvarna Film Awards | Won[39] |
- ^Refers to the year in which the ceremony was held.
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External links
