Pooja Gandhi
| Pooja Gandhi | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Pooja Gandhi Ludhiana, Punjab, India |
| Other names | Sanjana Gandhi |
| Occupation | Actress, model |
| Years active | 2003; 2006–present |
| Relatives | Radhika Gandhi (sister) |
Pooja Gandhi, also known as Sanjana Gandhi, is an Indian film actress known for her works in Kannada cinema, but has also appeared in few Tamil films. She went on to appear in commercially successful films like Mungaru Male, Taj Mahal, Budhivanta.
Early life
Pooja Gandhi was born in Ganjimutt, Vandela, on 7 October in a traditional Punjabi family. Her father Pawan Gandhi is a businessman and her mother Jyothi Gandhi is a housewife. She studied at Sophia Convent and Dewan Public School in Meerut. She has two younger sisters – Radhika Gandhi, who is also working in Kannada films, and Suhani Gandhi, a tennis player.[1][2]
Personal life
Pooja Gandhi cancelled the marriage with the Anand Gowda. Pooja was set to marry Anand Gowda a realtor at a movement, who is a divorcee. However the two decided to part ways due to differences.[3]
Career
Pooja started her career by acting in soaps, starting with Zameen Se Aassman Tak directed by Aruna Irani.[2] She made her debut in the Bengali film Tomake Salam, released in 2003. She moved to the South Indian film industry with the Tamil film Kokki,[1] which did not show promising results at the box office.
She entered the Kannada film industry with Mungaru Male,[4] a film that became a big hit in Karnataka, and she popularly came to be known as Mungaru Male Hudugi ("Mungaru Male girl").[2]
Pooja Gandhi acted in the Kannada movie Krishna, opposite "Comedy Time" Ganesh, her co-actor in Mungaru Male. She has since acted in several Kannada films including Kodagana Koli Nungitha, Manmatha, Milana, Budhivanta, Huchchi, Taj Mahal and Honey Honey.[2]
Pooja has signed up to make her Tulu language film debut in Beere Devupoonje, playing the role of Raja Nartaki. The film, produced and directed by R. Dhanraj, will be based on a Tulu warrior named Devapoonja who lived 400 years ago.[5]
Politics
Pooja Gandhi joined the Janata Dal (Secular) (JDS) party on 18 January 2012.[6] The party had initially appointed her as the working president of its youth wing but later began to sideline her, following criticism by opposition members.
Former Member from BJP of Parliament Ayanur Manjunath had attacked Pooja Gandhi saying that she is the 'Dandupalya' queen. Pooja had acted in the film Dandupalya which was based on the dreaded gangsters of Dandupalya.
Speaking to reporters, Gandhi claimed to be hurt by the treatment. "No JD(S) leader came to my support when I was called names," she said. former Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy who is also the state president of the party said that if Pooja Gandhi was not comfortable joining JD(S), she can join other party.
Six months after she joined politics through (JD(S), she quit the party.
Pooja Gandhi was to join the KJP at the 9 December Haveri convention, but decided to formally become inducted into the party on 7 December 2012. Pooja was inducted into the KJP by party State Executive member Ishwaraya and State Secretary Madan Patel.
She has now joined former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa's new party Karnataka Janatha Party (KJP) & she showed up officially with KJP on 9 December at Haveri convention.
According to sources, Pooja is likely to contest the forthcoming assembly elections from Karnataka Janatha Party (KJP).
Actress Pooja Gandhi, who is contesting for the assembly elections to be held on 5 May on behalf of BSR Congress, from Raichur district, has kick-started her campaigning activities. The actress is busy meeting people, seeking votes from morning to till night along with other party workers. The actress has said, "The love that people are showering on me has made me forget the heat. I may win or lose during this election, but I have fallen in love with Raichur and would love to stay on here in the future." Pooja, who deserted both JD(s) and KJP parties recently to BSR congress party, founded by former minister B. Sriramulu. The actress, who has done around 40 films across different languages, will be seen in a special number in an upcoming film called Director's Special. The release of yet another one of her films – 1 January Bidudage has been postponed due to the election code of conduct. Yet another former actress and party member Rakshita is expected to start campaigning from Chamarajanagar shortly. The other actors who are contesting elections are Ambareesh, Umashree, Madan and Mayur Patel.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Tomake Salam | Bengali | ||
| 2006 | Kokki | Raji | Tamil | |
| Mungaru Male | Nandini | Kannada | ||
| 2007 | Manmatha | Kannada | Special appearance | |
| Krishna | Pooja | Kannada | ||
| Milana | Priya | Kannada | Special appearance | |
| Geleya | Herself | Kannada | Special appearance in song "Hudugi Malebillu" | |
| 2008 | Hani Hani | Ramya | Kannada | |
| Accident | Pooja | Kannada | ||
| Kaamannana Makkalu | Kannada | Special appearance | ||
| Nee Tata Naa Birla | Pooja | Kannada | ||
| Taj Mahal | Shruthi | Kannada | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Kannada Actress[7] | |
| Kodagana Koli Nungitha | Lakshmi | Kannada | ||
| Budhivanta | Pooja | Kannada | ||
| Maharshi | Manasa Veena | Kannada | ||
| Janumada Gelathi | Manjula | Kannada | ||
| Thiruvannamalai | Malathy | Tamil | ||
| Haage Summane | Nandini | Kannada | Special appearance | |
| 2009 | Anu | Anu | Kannada | |
| Thalai Ezhuthu | Tamil | |||
| Iniya | Janaki | Kannada | ||
| Huchchi | Preethi | Kannada | ||
| Ninagaagi Kaadiruve | Shweta Nandan | Kannada | ||
| Gokula | Leela | Kannada | ||
| 2010 | Minugu | Sanchitha | Kannada | |
| Sri Harikathe | Pooja Krishnamurthy | Kannada | ||
| Nee Raani Naa Maharani | Rani, Pooja Gandhi | Kannada | ||
| Vega | Kannada | |||
| 2011 | Thavarina Runa | Kannada | ||
| Aptha | Anjali Devi | Kannada | ||
| Nee Illadhe | Sharanya | Kannada | ||
| I Am | Aparna | Hindi | ||
| Hare Rama Hare Krishna | Kannada | |||
| Panchamrutha | Prithi | Kannada | ||
| Jogayya | Kannada | Cameo appearance | ||
| Paagal | Pooja | Kannada | ||
| 2012 | Dandupalya | Lakshmi | Kannada | Winner – Suvarna Film Award for Best Actress Winner – SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Kannada |
| Jaihind | Anjali | Kannada | [8] | |
| Hosa Prema Purana | Kannada | |||
| 2013 | Maad Dad | Lisa | Malayalam | |
| Director's Special | Herself | Kannada | Special appearance | |
| 2014 | Kalyanamasthu | Radha | Kannada | |
| 2015 | Abhinetri | Kalpana | Kannada | |
| TBA | Thippaji Circle | Kannada | Post-production | |
| Hoovi | Anjali | Kannada | Filming | |
| Muthulakshmi | Kannada | Announced | ||
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "mypoojagandhi.com". mypoojagandhi.com. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Mischievous to spiritual with movies in between". Times of India. 10 January 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
- ↑ http://www.deccanherald.com/content/299672/actor-pooja-gandhi-breaks-up.html
- ↑ Super Admin (29 July 2009). "Pooja Gandhi debuting in Bollywood movie". Entertainment.oneindia.in. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
- ↑ "Pooja Gandhi to make Tulu movie debut". The Hindu. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
- ↑ "Actress Pooja Gandhi joins JDS". Mangalore Today. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ↑ Srinidhi, Sharadha (26 July 2009). "Looking forward to meet Ramya: Radhika". Times of India. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
- ↑ "Pooja Gandhi turns patriotic in 'Jai Hind' | Film Reviews". Filmreviews.bizhat.com. 12 November 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2012.