Pooja Umashankar
Born: 1981-06-25
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Pooja Gauthami Umashankar is a renowned Sri Lankan-Indian actress known for her versatile performances in Tamil and Sinhala cinema. She made her Tamil film debut with Jay Jay (2003) and gained critical acclaim for her role in Naan Kadavul (2009), where she portrayed a challenging character with emotional depth. She has also starred in popular Sinhala films like Anjalika, Kusa-Paba, and Asai Man Piyabanna. With a strong background in commerce and management, Pooja is celebrated for choosing diverse roles that go beyond conventional glamour and for her ability to bring authenticity to complex characters.
Pooja Gauthami Umashankar is a renowned Sri Lankan-Indian actress known for her versatile performances in Tamil and Sinhala cinema. She made her Tamil film debut with Jay Jay (2003) and gained critical acclaim for her role in Naan Kadavul (2009), where she portrayed a challenging character with emotional depth. She has also starred in popular Sinhala films like Anjalika, Kusa-Paba, and Asai Man Piyabanna. With a strong background in commerce and management, Pooja is celebrated for choosing diverse roles that go beyond conventional glamour and for her ability to bring authenticity to complex characters.
Pooja Gauthami Umashankar is a celebrated Sri Lankan-Indian actress known for her versatile work in Tamil and Sinhala cinema. Born on June 25, 1981, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to a Kannadiga father, H. R. Umashankar, and a Sinhalese mother, Sandhya, Pooja grew up experiencing both Sri Lankan and Indian cultures. She completed her schooling in Sri Lanka and India, attending institutions such as Poornaprajna in Karnataka and Baldwin Girls? High School in Bangalore. She later pursued a Bachelor?s in Commerce and a Master?s in Business & Management from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore. Before stepping into the film industry, Pooja was academically focused and fluent in multiple languages including Tamil, Sinhala, English, and Kannada. Her entry into cinema was marked by her debut in the Tamil film Jay Jay (2003), which paved the way for a career characterized by diverse and challenging roles. She received critical acclaim for her performance in Naan Kadavul (2009), where she played a blind beggar, showcasing her ability to portray complex characters with emotional depth. In addition to Tamil films, Pooja has had a successful career in Sinhala cinema, starring in hits like Anjalika, Asai Man Piyabanna, Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe, and Kusa-Paba, some of which were commercially significant and earned her widespread recognition. She is known for making thoughtful choices in roles, often opting for characters that demand nuanced performances rather than purely glamorous appearances.
Pooja Gauthami Umashankar is a celebrated Sri Lankan-Indian actress known for
her versatile work in Tamil and Sinhala cinema. Born on June 25, 1981, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to a Kannadiga father, H. R. Umashankar, and a Sinhalese mother, Sandhya, Pooja grew up experiencing both Sri Lankan and Indian cultures. She completed her schooling in Sri Lanka and India, attending institutions such as Poornaprajna in Karnataka and Baldwin Girls? High School in Bangalore. She later pursued a Bachelor?s in Commerce and a Master?s in Business & Management from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore.
Before stepping into the film industry, Pooja was academically focused and fluent in multiple languages including Tamil, Sinhala, English, and Kannada. Her entry into cinema was marked by her debut in the Tamil film Jay Jay (2003), which paved the way for a career characterized by diverse and challenging roles. She received critical acclaim for her performance in Naan Kadavul (2009), where she played a blind beggar, showcasing her ability to portray complex characters with emotional depth.
In addition to Tamil films, Pooja has had a successful career in Sinhala cinema, starring in hits like Anjalika, Asai Man Piyabanna, Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe, and Kusa-Paba, some of which were commercially significant and earned her widespread recognition. She is known for making thoughtful choices in roles, often opting for characters that demand nuanced performances rather than purely glamorous appearances.
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videos
Personal details
- Alternative names Pooja Umashankar, Pooja Gauthami
- Height 5'8"
- Born June 25, 1981 · Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Spouses
- Other works
- Model, Actress
Parents
Sandhya
Uma Shankar
FAQ
Pooja Umashankar is a Sri Lankan-Indian actress known for her versatile roles in Tamil and Sinhala cinema. She gained critical acclaim for films like Naan Kadavul 2009 and Kusa-Paba.
She was born on June 25, 1981, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Notable Tamil films include Jay Jay 2003 and Naan Kadavul 2009. Sinhala hits include Anjalika, Asai Man Piyabanna, and Kusa-Paba.
She is married to Prashan David Vethakan, a Sri Lankan businessman, since 2016.
She is fluent in Tamil, Sinhala, English, and Kannada.
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Trivia
Pooja Umashankar is a Sri Lankan-Indian actress fluent in Tamil, Sinhala, English, and Kannada.
She made her Tamil film debut with Jay Jay (2003) and gained critical acclaim for Naan Kadavul (2009).
She has also acted in successful Sinhala films such as Anjalika, Asai Man Piyabanna, and Kusa-Paba.
Pooja holds a Master?s in Business & Management from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore.
She married Sri Lankan businessman Prashan David Vethakan in 2016.
Quotes
"Acting is about understanding the human experience, not just playing a role."
"I choose roles that challenge me and allow me to grow as an artist."
Trademarks
Choosing diverse and challenging roles rather than conventional glamorous parts.
Exceptional ability to portray emotional depth and complex characters.
Bridging Tamil and Sinhala cinema with versatility.
Nicknames
Pooja Gauthami
Salaries
Estimated earnings per Tamil or Sinhala film range between Rs 30-50 lakh
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