Pooja Batra

Last updated

Pooja Batra
Pooja Batra.jpg
Born (1975-10-27) 27 October 1975 (age 48)
Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, India [1] [2]
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
Spouses
  • Sonu S. Ahluwalia
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2003;div. 2011)​
  • ​
    (m. 2019)​
Beauty pageant titleholder
Title Femina Miss India International 1993
Major
competition(s)		 Femina Miss India
(Miss India 3)
(Miss India International)
Miss International 1993
(Semi-finalist)

Pooja Batra Shah (born 27 October 1975) is an Indian-American [3] actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder. She primarily works in Hindi films. She won the runner-up title at the Femina Miss India contest in 1993 and was crowned Femina Miss India International 1993 and represented India at Miss International 1993. [4]

Contents

Early life and background

Batra was born on 27 October 1975 [5] [6] to Ravi Batra, a colonel in the Indian Army, [7] and Neelam Batra, a Miss India (1971) participant. [8] She has two brothers. [9] She is related to Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a martyr decorated with India's highest military honour, the Param Vir Chakra. [10]

Batra lived in Ludhiana with her extended family while she was young. [11] While in school, she was an athlete and competed in the 200 and 400-meter dash. [8] She graduated in Economics [9] from Fergusson College, Pune [12] [8] and holds an MBA in marketing [9] from Symbiosis, Pune. [12] She participated at the Miss International beauty pageant in 1993. [13]

Career

At a young age, she started modelling as a part-time job. She was best known for her Liril soap commercial. [14] She was the first Indian face to launch and be a spokesperson for Head and Shoulders in India. She has participated in over 250 modelling events and ad campaigns. She shot to fame when she was crowned Miss India International in 1993. [15] She went on to become one of the top models in India. She walked the ramp for over 250 fashion shows in India and overseas. [12] She is an ambassador for Parag Sarees. [16]

Batra turned down many offers to complete her education before signing a contract with the Virasat Film Studio. The first film she signed was Virasat in 1997 followed by another film Bhai . [17] She went on to work in over 20 films including Haseena Maan Jayegi , Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya and Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye . One of her films, Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story , a historical epic, was shown at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004. [18] She is a life member of International Film And Television Club of Asian Academy of Film & Television, Noida.

Batra has also appeared in South Indian films, including three Malayalam films [19] and two Tamil films, including a cameo in the 1995 film Aasai .

In 2021, she appeared as Nandini Rajput in Squad . [20]

Personal life

Batra married orthopaedic surgeon Sonu S. Ahluwalia on 9 February 2003 in New Delhi and moved to Los Angeles, California. [21] [1] In January 2011, she filed for divorce in a US court, citing irreconcilable differences. [22] [23]

Batra revealed her relationship with actor Nawab Shah in June 2019. [24] [25] They got married on 4 July 2019 in Delhi according to Arya Samaj traditions. [26] [27]

Philanthropy

Batra has volunteered time and money to charitable causes including AIDS (Mukti Foundation), [28] 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. The film was co-produced by NFDC-La Fete (Canada) and directed by Gopi Desai. It was screened at the 24th Annual Montreal World Film Festival, 2000; Chicago International Children's Film Festival, 2000; 10th Annual Philadelphia Film Festival of World Cinema, 2001; and the Indian Film Festival in Malaysia, 2005.

Filmography

YearFilmRoleLanguage
1995 Aasai Guest appearance Tamil
Sisindri Herself Telugu
1997 Vishwavidhaata Poonam Hindi
Virasat Anita
Bhai Pooja
Chandralekha Lekha Malayalam
1998Sham GhanshamRoopaHindi
Saazish Rachel
Greeku VeeruduSirishaTelugu
1999 Megham SwatiMalayalam
Oruvan KalpanaTamil
Haseena Maan Jaayegi Pooja VermaHindi
2000Bas Yaari RakhoPratibha
Daivathinte Makan SoniaMalayalam
Kandukondain Kandukondain Nandhini VarmaTamil
Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye MonaHindi
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
2011 Hum Tum Shabana Puja
2015 ABCD 2 Pooja Kohli
2016 Killer Punjabi [29] Rita WaliaPunjabi
2017One Under the SunKathryn VossEnglish
Mirror Game ShonaliHindi
2018 The Rookie DoctorEnglish (Hollywood)
2021 Squad Nandini Rajput

Awards and nominations

Year [lower-alpha 1] AwardCategoryFilmResultRef.
1998 Filmfare Awards Best Supporting Actress Virasat Nominated [30]
Best Female Debut Nominated [30]
Screen Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated [31]
Most Promising Newcomer – Female Nominated [31]
Zee Cine Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Female Nominated [32]
Best Female Debut Nominated [32]

Notes

  1. ↑ Refers to the year in which the ceremony was held.

Related Research Articles

Miss India or Femina Miss India is a national beauty pageant in India that annually selects representatives to compete in Miss World, one of the Big Four major international beauty pageants. It is organised by Femina, a women's magazine published by The Times Group. Since 2013, Femina also organises Miss Diva as a separate competition, with representatives competing at Miss Universe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sushmita Sen</span> Indian actress and model (born 1975)

Sushmita Sen is an Indian actress, model and beauty queen. She won the Miss Universe 1994 pageant, after previously winning Femina Miss India at age 18. She is the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe pageant. Since her pageant wins, she has worked as an actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neha Dhupia</span> Indian actress and model

Neha Dhupia is an Indian actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder. She won the title of Femina Miss India in year 2002 and represented India at Miss Universe 2002. She has worked in several film productions and has made number of reality show appearances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pooja Bedi</span> Indian actress (born 1970)

Pooja Bedi is an Indian actress, television talk show host and newspaper columnist. She is the daughter of Indian actors Kabir Bedi and Protima Bedi. She participated in the reality television shows Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Nach Baliye, Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi and Bigg Boss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hrishitaa Bhatt</span> Indian actress and model

Hrishitaa Bhatt, also spelled as Hrishita Bhat, is an Indian actress and model. She debuted in the film Asoka (2001) opposite Shah Rukh Khan, but it was Haasil (2003) that brought her fame. Bhatt received critical acclaim for the role and appeared in films like Ab Tak Chhappan (2004) and Jigyaasa (2006), thereafter. Bhatt was part of the ensemble cast of the ZEE5 cop drama web series, Lalbazaar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mugdha Godse</span> Indian actress

Mugdha Veira Godse is an Indian actress and model who appears in Hindi films. A former model, Godse was a semi-finalist at the Femina Miss India 2004 competition. She made her acting debut in Madhur Bhandarkar's 2008 film, Fashion. She was one of the judges in a Marathi reality show, Marathi Paul Padte Pudhe. She also acted in Tamil film Thani Oruvan.

<i>Virasat</i> (1997 film) 1997 Indian film

Virasat (transl. Inheritance) is a 1997 Indian Hindi-language action drama film, directed by Priyadarshan. The story was written by Kamal Haasan and remade after the success of the Tamil film Thevar Magan. Mushir-Riaz duo produced the film. It stars Anil Kapoor, Tabu, Amrish Puri, Pooja Batra, Milind Gunaji and Govind Namdeo. The music was composed by Anu Malik and S. P. Venkatesh, with the former composing the songs and the latter composing the score. The film marked the comeback for Priyadarshan in Hindi cinema. Music director Annu Malik reused some of the original tunes of Ilaiyaraaja from Thevar Magan. Tabu has done beatboxing in this movie for the song Payale Chunmun.Film was a Blockbuster at the Box office

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ratna Pathak Shah</span> Indian actress and director

Ratna Pathak Shah is an Indian actress and director known for her work in Hindi theatre, television, and films. Her extensive work in theatre includes a series of plays in both English and Hindi. She rose to prominence when she appeared in the hit TV serial Idhar Udhar in the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niharika Singh</span> Indian actress

Niharika Singh is an Indian actress, producer and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Earth India 2005 and represented her country at Miss Earth 2005. She made her acting debut with the critically acclaimed drama Miss Lovely which competed in Un Certain Regard at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. Niharika was selected for Berlinale Talents in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pooja Chopra</span> Indian actress and model

Pooja Chopra is an Indian actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder. She won the title of Femina Miss India World 2009 and represented India at Miss World 2009 pageant where she became the first Indian to win the "Beauty with a Purpose" title at the Miss World competition for India. As an actress, Chopra was awarded the Times Most Powerful Woman Award for her contribution to the field of acting. She got her breakthrough with Commando: A One Man Army and since then, appeared in many films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esha Gupta</span> Indian actress (b.1985)

Esha Gupta is an Indian actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder. She works in Hindi films. She was crowned Femina Miss India International 2007 and represented India at Miss International 2007. She made her acting debut with the crime thriller Jannat 2 (2012) receiving a Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut nomination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taapsee Pannu</span> Indian actress (born 1987)

Tapasee Pannu, known as Taapsee Pannu, is an Indian actress who works primarily in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil films. She has received several awards, including two Filmfare Awards and a Filmfare OTT Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pooja Hegde</span> Indian actress (born 1990)

Pooja Hegde is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in Telugu, Hindi and Tamil films. She began her career as a model and was crowned as the second runner-up at the 2010 I Am She–Miss Universe India pageant. She made her acting debut with the Tamil film Mugamoodi (2012) and had her first Telugu release in Oka Laila Kosam (2014). Hegde has established herself as one of the leading actresses in Telugu cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nawab Shah (actor)</span> Indian actor

Nawab Shah is an Indian actor, who works in Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada-language films and television series. Before entering into films, he played character roles in television serials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aham Sharma</span> Indian actor

Aham Sharma is an Indian actor from Salimpur, Bihar, India. Best known for his work in Indian television, he has also featured in several Bollywood films including 1962 My Country Land which premiered at Marche du Film of the 69th Cannes Film Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikita Dutta</span> Indian actress

Nikita Dutta is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi films and television. After participating in Femina Miss India 2012, she made her acting debut with the romantic drama Lekar Hum Deewana Dil (2014). Dutta made her television debut with Dream Girl (2015) and achieved recognition with Ek Duje Ke Vaaste (2016).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sanya Malhotra</span> Indian actress (born 1992)

Sanya Malhotra is an Indian actress who works in Hindi films. She has had supporting roles in the sports film Dangal (2016) and the action film Jawan (2023), both of which rank among the highest-grossing Indian films. Her other commercially successful films were the comedy Badhaai Ho (2018) and the biopic Sam Bahadur (2023).

References

  1. 1 2 "A Healthy Mantra – Pooja Batra". 10 January 2009. Archived from the original on 18 March 2009. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  2. ↑ "Where is Miss India winner, 'Virasat' actor Pooja Batra now? Find out". DNA India. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  3. ↑ @iampoojabatra (7 November 2018). "#electionday #ivoted #MidtermElections2018" (Tweet). Retrieved 26 February 2022– via Twitter.
  4. ↑ Basu, Nilanjana (4 February 2021). "Pooja Batra's Miss India Memories - A Throwback To What Made 1993 Special". NDTV. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  5. ↑ "Happy birthday Pooja Batra: How Virasat actor found love with Nawab Shah". Hindustan Times. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  6. ↑ "PICS: 45-Year-Old Pooja Batra Sizzles In A Bikini In Costa Rica". ABP News. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  7. ↑ Tiwari, Nimisha (13 August 2009). "What's Pooja Batra doing in Mumbai!". The Times of India . Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 "'I'm not his ex, Akshay Kumar is my ex'". Rediff . 25 June 1997. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  9. 1 2 3 ""To those interested in entering the entertainment world: believe in yourself, have the chops, and be ready to work hard."—Pooja Batra" (PDF). Roshni Media Group. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  10. ↑ "I never really toot the horn about my family or my lineage but this I gotta.. So proud to be related to #shaheed #secondlieutenant #arunkhetarpal #pvc #posthumous #aka The bravest officer of the Indian Army. #mydadscousin #battlefieldofbasantar #indopakwar71 As someone once said 'Wars are created by politicians, compounded by bureaucrats and fought by soldiers.'". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  11. ↑ Vashisht-Kumar, Divya (7 March 2016). "Pooja Batra Makes Heads Turn in Action Thriller 'Killer Punjabi': Watch Trailer". India-West. Archived from the original on 14 July 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 "Biography". Poojabatra.com. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  13. ↑ "Miss Indias who made it to Bollywood". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  14. ↑ "40 Years Ago and now: The Liril Girl showed how to target a state of mind". Rediff . 16 October 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  15. ↑ "Pooja Batra – 2000-1991! – Miss India Winners 2009-1964 – Archives – Femina Miss India". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  16. ↑ Srinivasan, V S (18 March 1997). "Beguiling babe". Rediff . Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  17. ↑ "Good show". India Today. 31 May 1997. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  18. ↑ Ruhani, Faheem (9 September 2005). "Mughal premiere for 'Taj Mahal' in London". DNA. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  19. ↑ Gupta, Rakhee (18 January 2001). "Pooja Batra: Back to Bollywood". The Tribune. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  20. ↑ Kaushal, Ruchi (7 November 2021). "Pooja Batra on missing from films: 'I haven't just been sitting and eating potatoes". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  21. ↑ Iyer, Rohini (11 February 2003). "Pooja Batra, post marriage". Rediff. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  22. ↑ "Pooja Batra wants out". Mid Day. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  23. ↑ "Former Miss India files for divorce". The New Indian Express. 2 February 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  24. ↑ "Pooja Batra finds her soulmate in Tiger Zinda Hai actor Nawab Shah. See their pics here". Hindustan Times . 19 June 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  25. ↑ "Actors Pooja Batra and Nawab Shah find soulmates in each other! See photos". DNA India . 19 June 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  26. ↑ "Pooja Batra confirms marrying Nawab Shah: 'He is the man I want to spend rest of my life with'. See pics". Hindustan Times . 15 July 2019. Archived from the original on 26 March 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  27. ↑ "Pooja Batra on marriage with Nawab Shah: He was ready to propose to me right after we met". India Today . 15 July 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  28. ↑ Verma, Sukanya (15 December 2000). "Mukti foundation AIDS concert". Rediff.com. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  29. ↑ "Pooja Batra makes debut in Punjabi films". The Indian Express . Press Trust of India. 29 April 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  30. 1 2 "43rd Filmfare Awards 1998 Nominations". Indian Times . The Times Group. Archived from the original on 6 July 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  31. 1 2 "The 4th Screen Awards Nominations: Bollywood's best to vie for Screen-Videocon awards". The Indian Express. 9 January 1998. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  32. 1 2 "1st Zee Cine Awards 1998 Popular Award Categories Nominations". Zee Television. Zee Entertainment Enterprises. Archived from the original on 19 February 1998. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.