Inchara Udupi
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Aug 31: "I have no reservations about acting in Sandalwood if the project offered has susbstance. If I get a good script and talented director, I will not reject the offer," said Bollywood beauty, Pooja Hegde.
Pooja, who was on a visit to her ancestral home at Kedinje near Belman in Karkala tlauk, spoke to media persons during her visit to Kaup to pay obeisance to Goddess Mariamma on Tuesday August 29.
Pooja Hegde has got recognition for her Hindi movie, 'Mohenjo Daro' opposite Hrithik Roshan, and Telugu movie, 'Devuda Jagannatham' in which Allu Arjun was the hero. The girl from Tulunadu apparently does not carry any air of stardom as she was found talking to media persons freely without any qualms about being a star.
"Currently I am acting in a Telugu movie. I have been studying three scripts of Hindi movies. If I found them interesting, I will sign them," she said. She also had encouraging things to say about Tulu movies. Pooja, who can converse fluently in Tulu, expressed happiness about Tulu films backed by comedy. She wished that Coastalwood will grow in leaps and bounds.
Pooja, who was seen on screen with popular heroes like Hrithik Roshan and Allu Arjun, also has to her credit the achievement of being runner up in Miss India Universe pageant. After carving out a niche for herself in the world of modelling, Pooja naturally chose to be a film star and soon cemented her position in Boolywood and southern movie industry.
In spite of having been born in Mumbai and brought up there, Pooja has admirable mastery over Tulu language. She said she visits her hometown once in two years and has maintained her relationship with the village where the ancestors of her mother were born and spent their lives. The current visit was only for a day. The actress was accompanied by parents, Manjunath Hegde and Latha Hegde.
Tuluvas are known not to forget their roots even after scaling dizzying heights in life. They offer puja to the deities they believe in at least once every year. Pooja came to Kaup at the advice of her parents to prostrate before Goddess Marikmaba during the auspicious month of Shravana. She offered special puja at Marigudi. When questioned, she refused to divulge what she prayed for, adding that she would reveal it after her prayers are answered.
Pooja also spoke about Kannada and Tulu films. She was on a visit to her village after a gap of 18 months, and was visibly happy for having been able to seek divine blessings from various places. Her mother also expressed happiness at being able to make her daughter visit many Daivasthanas and temples during this particular visit.
Pooja, like so many people living in Mumbai, is a staunch devotee of Lord Ganesha. She therefore took part in the worship of Sarvajinaka Ganeshotsava at Kaup.