Pooja Umashankar

Biography

Pooja Gauthami Umashankar, known mononymously as Pooja, is an Indian-Sri Lankan actress who has made a significant mark in the Tamil and Sinhala film industries. She has also appeared in Malayalam and Telugu cinema. Her expressive acting and versatile portrayals have earned her critical acclaim and a loyal fan base.

Early Life and Education

Born on June 25, 1981, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Pooja's background is a blend of Indian and Sri Lankan heritage. Her father is an Indian Kannada Brahmin, and her mother is a Sri Lankan Sinhalese. She received her early education in Sri Lanka before continuing in India, attending schools in Aldur, Chikmagalur, Mysore, and Baldwin Girls' High School in Bangalore. She holds a B.Com. and an MBA from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore. Pooja is multilingual, fluent in Kannada, Sinhala, Tamil, and English.

Career Trajectory

A friend who introduced her to director Jeeva facilitated Pooja's entry into the film industry. Her debut Tamil film, Ullam Ketkumae, though filmed earlier, was released after her second and third films, Jay Jay (2003) and Attahasam (2004). While Attagasam was a commercial success, some critics noted her limited role.

Her career gained significant momentum with challenging and critically acclaimed roles. A pivotal moment came with her portrayal of Hamshavalli, a blind beggar, in Bala's 2009 Tamil film Naan Kadavul. This role earned her widespread praise and several accolades, including the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Character Artiste.

Simultaneously, Pooja established a strong presence in Sinhala cinema. She starred in successful films like Anjalika (2006), Asai Man Piyabanna (2007), Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe (2010), and Kusa Pabha (2012). Kusa Pabha notably became the highest-grossing film in Sri Lankan cinema history at the time of its release.

Other notable films in her career include:

Pattiyal (2006)

Oram Po (2007)

Vidiyum Munn (2013)

Beyond acting, Pooja has also been a judge on the dance reality show "Aatam Paatam Kondatam" on Kalaignar TV.

Awards and Recognition

Pooja Umashankar has received numerous awards and nominations for her performances:

Filmfare Awards South: Best Actress for Naan Kadavul (2010). She was also nominated for Best Actress for Vidiyum Munn (2014).

Tamil Nadu State Film Award: Best Female Character Artist for Naan Kadavul.

Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards: Best Actress for Vidiyum Munn (2014).

Vijay Awards: Best Actress for Naan Kadavul (2010). She was also nominated for Best Actress for Vidiyum Munn (2014).

SLIM-Nielsen People's Awards: Most Popular Actress (multiple wins, including 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021).

Sarasaviya Awards: Best Actress for Sarigama (2017).

Derana Film Awards: Most Popular Actress for Paththini (2017).

Pooja Umashankar's career showcases her talent in navigating diverse roles and industries, making her a respected figure in both South Indian and Sinhala cinema.