“Born to a Sri Lankan mother and an Indian father Pooja Umashankar is the Sri Lankan Indian beauty who portrays the main characters in the Sinhalese box office record breaking blockbusters 'Anjelika', 'Asai Mang Piyabanna' and 'Yahaluvo'. Two films in Sri Lanka Pooja is rising fast. She seems snug in her ride to success.”_______________________
by Zanita Careem
(April 06, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Pooja Gautani Umashankar, Sri Lankan born Indian actress has proved her mettle as an actress as evidenced by her meteoric rise to the heights of the Indian cinema and winning wide acclaim.
She walked into the Hilton hotel for the SLT organised press conference attired in a lovely saree, with her hair let loose in an early morning cheerful disposition in tote. She was specially flown here to be the Brand Ambassador for SLT's Broadband Services.
A self-proclaimed web enthusiast, Pooja is the perfect foil to be the brand ambassador help shape the future of Sri Lanka by empowering Sri Lankans with awareness of the endless possibilities of wireline broadband access. " I am happy people have appreciated my work and I am happy with the way things are going in my life . Right now I am working hard" she says.
Her flawless complexion, shapely arched eyebrows, intense eyes - a combined classic look say it all. She has created an explosion on screen and off screen.
Born to a Sri Lankan mother and an Indian father Pooja Umashankar is the Sri Lankan Indian beauty who portrays the main characters in the Sinhalese box office record breaking blockbusters 'Anjelika', 'Asai Mang Piyabanna' and 'Yahaluvo'. Two films in Sri Lanka Pooja is rising fast. She seems snug in her ride to success.
She has also appeared in a number of Indian films todate, 'Pori', 'Thagapansamy', 'Thambi' 'Pattiyal', 'Githan', 'Ula Ket Kume', 'Jay Jay' and 'Altagasam', along with top actors of the Indian silver screen Madhavan, Manivanan, Reema Sen, Kalabhavan Mani and Ramesh.
In Director Bala's film 'Naan Kadavilai' Pooja plays the role of a beggar woman opposite popular actor Aryan and excelled herself indeed in the challenging role for this young vivacious actress.
"People think if you are good looking then this industry is just made for you but it is really difficult. It is physically, mentally and emotionally very draining. To be shooting for such long hours and to have make-up all the way and go through various emotions in one day is very physically draining and challenging" she says.
This fledgling actress tagged as 'stunning', started out in the Indian cinema and now has taken the Sri Lankan celluloid by storm.
Pooja holds a MBA degree from Mount Carmel College in Bangalore. Beauty, body, brains she's got it all, as is evidenced when she makes speeches off screen. Her role entailed a cocktail of themes. "The movie 'Jay Jay' was a hit and the public were quite taken with me and the character I portrayed and this ensured my fate in the acting world".
Although she's just getting a foothold in the industry in Sri Lanka, she has already carved a niche here too.
Being herself is her strategy. She credits her trim statesque frame to youth.An exercise enthuasist she visits the gym everyday. "I like to eat small meals whenever I want to as I don't go on crash diets, this is not good for the skin " says the figure conscious actress.
Plans to tackle Bollywood "I am not looking at it right now. I'm quite happy being in the south and acting in Tamil, Karnatic, Malayalan and Telugu films.
Although she began acting only three years ago, Pooja's career graph has gone from strength to strength.
" I had no interest in pursuing an acting career. It was a co-incidence while I was shopping in Bangalore a director approached me and asked me if I could act in one of his movies. I decided to take up the offer and it turned out to be one of the wiser decisions that I have ever made". Any regrets. Definitely not was her spontaneous answer.
Talking about entering the local film industry she said she has touched gold.
Her acting prowess has reached a benchmark. Right now she is riding on the crest of success.
Despite the fame, she does not rest on her laurrels. Simple and articulate, she exudes charm and perhaps these may be the reasons she has won the hearts of her fans here and in India.
Her beauty is such she remains the cynosure of all eyes and this young budding actress posses the right mix of beauty, brains and personality.
Pooja will definitely reach the very top in filmdom.There is no looking back for this budding actress.
Pooja said that it was her love for her grandfather and the county of her birth that made her accept the offer to act in Channa Perera's debut film 'Anjalika' in which she became the recent acting prodigy in Lankan cinema. I have already acted in three Sinhala movies and I will definitly get more offers.
Her real life romance? That is a secret, she laughed. Marriage plans? No not for another couple of years" she assured.
- Sri Lanka Guardian
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