Pooja Umashankar: Wiki, Biography, Age, Net Worth, Height, Weight, Affairs, and More

Pooja Umashankar

Pooja Umashankar is a renowned actress known for her notable contributions to Indian Tamil cinema and Sri Lankan Sinhala films. With a career that spans over a decade, Pooja has established herself as a versatile performer, earning critical acclaim for her roles in both commercial and offbeat films. Below is a detailed exploration of Pooja Umashankar’s life, career, and more.

Personal Information

Full Name	Pooja Gauthami Umashankar
Date of Birth	June 25, 1981
Age	43 Years
Place of Birth	Colombo, Sri Lanka
Residence	Colombo, Sri Lanka
Nationality	Sri Lankan-Indian
Profession	Actress, Model
Education	Baldwin Girls’ High School, Mount Carmel College, Bangalore
Spouse	Prashan David Vethakan (Married in 2016)

Pooja Umashankar was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and comes from a diverse cultural background. Her father, H.R. Umashankar, is an Indian Kannada Brahmin from Karnataka, while her mother, Sandhya, is of Sri Lankan Sinhalese descent. She is fluent in Kannada, Sinhala, Tamil, and English, which reflects her rich cultural heritage.

Early Life and Education

Pooja’s early years were spent in Sri Lanka, where she attended pre-school before moving to India. She pursued her schooling at Poornapragnya School in Aldur, Chikmagalur, and later at Nirmala Convent in Mysore. After her move to Bangalore, she attended Baldwin Girls’ High School and furthered her studies at Mount Carmel College, where she earned a degree in B.Com and later an MBA.

Career Journey

Pooja Umashankar’s entry into the film industry was unexpected. A friend introduced her to director Jeeva, who offered her a role in the Tamil film Ullam Ketkumae (2003). Initially, Pooja had no plans to continue acting but soon found herself captivated by the industry. Her breakout role came with Jay Jay (2004), a romantic comedy where she starred opposite R. Madhavan. The film’s success cemented her place in the Tamil film industry.

She went on to feature in numerous successful films, such as Attahasam (2004) and Ullam Ketkumae (2005), where her performances gained attention. However, it was her portrayal of Hamshavalli, a blind beggar, in the Tamil film Naan Kadavul (2009), directed by Bala, that truly established her as an actress of exceptional talent. Her portrayal won her several awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Character Artiste.

After a successful career in Tamil cinema, Pooja expanded her horizons to the Sinhala film industry. Her film Kusa Paba (2012) became the highest-grossing film in Sri Lanka at the time, further solidifying her fame.

Pooja Umashankar’s Filmography

Year	Film	Role	Language	Notes
2003	Jay Jay	Seema	Tamil	Breakout role
2004	Attahasam	Sapna	Tamil	Successful film
2005	Ullam Ketkumae	Irene	Tamil	Major success
2006	Pori	Pooja	Tamil	Commercial success
2007	Naan Kadavul	Hamshavalli	Tamil	Critical acclaim
2007	Panthaya Kozhi	Chempakam	Malayalam	Supporting role
2012	Kusa Paba	Pabawathi	Sinhala	Highest-grossing film
2015	Kadavul Paathi Mirugam Paathi	Cameo	Tamil	Guest appearance

Pooja also featured in several other films such as Thambi (2006), Thagapansamy (2006), and Pattiyal (2006). Her roles in Sinhala cinema like Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe (2010) and Sarigama (2016) have also been well-received by audiences.

Pooja Umashankar’s Television Appearances

In addition to her film career, Pooja has been part of several television shows. She participated as a judge on the Derana City of Dance seasons 5 and 6, a popular Sri Lankan dance reality show. Pooja also judged other reality shows like Aatam Paatam Kondatam (Tamil) and Dance Jodi Dance (Tamil).

Personal Life

Pooja’s personal life has been quite private, but it’s known that she married Prashan David Vethakan, a Sri Lankan businessman, in December 2016. The couple’s relationship is often kept out of the media spotlight, and Pooja remains focused on her career and personal growth.

Pooja Umashankar’s Net Worth

As of the latest reports, Pooja’s net worth is estimated to be in the range of $5 million to $10 million. This wealth is attributed to her successful acting career, endorsements, and her investments in business ventures. She remains a respected figure in both the Tamil and Sinhala film industries, with her net worth likely to grow with future projects.

Pooja Umashankar: Height and Weight

Pooja stands at a height of 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) and maintains a balanced and fit physique. Although her exact weight has not been publicly disclosed, she is known for maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and a well-balanced diet.

Controversies and Public Image

Throughout her career, Pooja Umashankar has maintained a relatively controversy-free image, focused more on her work than on public scandals. However, her choice of roles in both mainstream and unconventional films has often attracted attention. Her bold and distinctive performances in challenging roles like in Naan Kadavul (2009) showcased her commitment to delivering impactful cinema.

Lesser-Known Facts

1. Multilingual Talent: Pooja can fluently speak Tamil, Sinhala, Kannada, and English.
2. Cultural Heritage: Pooja’s mixed Indian and Sri Lankan heritage plays a significant role in her diverse acting career.
3. Real-life Inspiration: Pooja’s character in Naan Kadavul was based on a real blind beggar from Madurai, which required her to undergo intense physical and emotional preparation for the role.

Pooja Umashankar’s career trajectory is a testament to her dedication and versatility as an actress. From her early years in Sri Lanka to her breakout roles in Tamil and Sinhala cinema, Pooja has carved out a niche for herself as one of the most talented actresses of her generation. Despite stepping back from the limelight after her marriage, she continues to be an influential figure in the entertainment industry, both as a performer and a role model.

This article provides a comprehensive look at Pooja Umashankar’s biography, career achievements, and personal life, highlighting why she remains a beloved and respected figure in the world of cinema.