Full Name: Pooja Gauthami Umashankar
Date of Birth: Born in Colombo, Sri Lanka (Age: 43 years as of 2024)
Education: Baldwin Girls’ High School, Bangalore; Mount Carmel College, Bangalore
Occupation: Model, Actress
Years Active: 2003–2016
Spouse: Prashan David Vethakan (Married in 2016)
Pooja Gauthami Umashankar, a renowned Indian-Sri Lankan actress, is known for her exceptional performances in both Tamil and Sinhala cinema. With a career spanning over two decades, she has carved a niche for herself in the film industry with her versatility and charm. Pooja has garnered a significant fanbase for her roles in various successful films, and she continues to be one of the most respected actresses in both Indian and Sri Lankan cinema.
Pooja Umashankar was born to a Tamil Kannada Brahmin father, H. R. Umashankar, from Sringeri in Karnataka, and a Sinhalese mother, Sandhya, from Sri Lanka. Growing up with such a diverse cultural background, Pooja was exposed to a mix of languages and traditions, which has undoubtedly influenced her career. Her father, H. R. Umashankar, worked with Hindustan Unilever in Valparai, Tamil Nadu, while her mother is a native of Sri Lanka.
Pooja spent her early years in Sri Lanka before moving to India for her schooling. She completed her early education at Poornapragnya School in Aldur, Chikmagalur, and then went on to study at Nirmala Convent in Mysore. She further pursued her studies at Baldwin Girls’ High School in Bangalore. Later, Pooja graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) and a Post Graduate degree in MBA from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore.
Fluent in four languages – Kannada, Sinhala, Tamil, and English – Pooja’s linguistic skills have added depth to her performances across different regional film industries. In December 2016, Pooja married Prashan David Vethakan, a Sri Lankan businessman, marking an important milestone in her personal life.
Career in Film
Pooja’s journey into the world of cinema began unexpectedly. A friend introduced her to cinematographer-turned-director Jeeva, who cast her in the Tamil film Ullam Ketkumae (2003). Initially, Pooja had no intention of continuing in acting, planning instead to return to her studies after completing the film. However, after being offered a role opposite R. Madhavan, she reconsidered her decision, leading her to pursue a career in acting.
Her first official release was the romantic comedy Jay Jay (2004), directed by Saran, in which she received favorable reviews for her performance. Although she faced mixed criticism in some films like Attahasam (2004), her career truly blossomed with Ullam Ketkumae (2005), a sleeper hit in which she played one of the lead roles. Pooja continued to impress with her performances in Pattiyal (2006), Thambi (2006), Pori (2007), and Thagapansamy (2007), establishing herself as a prominent face in Tamil cinema.
One of the most significant roles in her career came in Naan Kadavul (2009), directed by Bala, where she portrayed Hamshavalli, a blind beggar. Her performance in this role was critically acclaimed and earned her several prestigious awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Character Artiste.
Pooja took a brief sabbatical from films but made a notable return with the commercially successful Kusa Paba (2012). The film became the highest-grossing in Sri Lankan cinema, and her portrayal of Pabawathi was widely appreciated.
Notable Filmography
Over the years, Pooja Umashankar has appeared in a range of films across Tamil, Sinhala, and Malayalam cinema. Below is a selection of her notable works:
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Jay Jay | Seema | Tamil | |
| 2004 | Attahasam | Sapna | Tamil | |
| 2005 | Ullam Ketkumae | Irene | Tamil | |
| 2006 | Anjalika | Anjalika/Uththara | Sinhala | |
| 2007 | Naan Kadavul | Hamshavalli | Tamil | Critically acclaimed role |
| 2012 | Kusa Paba | Pabawathi | Sinhala | Highest-grossing Sri Lankan film |
| 2013 | Vidiyum Munn | Rekha | Tamil | |
| 2016 | Sarigama | Mariya | Sinhala | |
| 2024 | Sihinayaki Adare | Jennifer | Sinhala | Upcoming film |
Television Appearances
In addition to her film career, Pooja has also showcased her talents on television, where she has appeared as a judge on popular reality shows. Notably, she was a judge on Derana City of Dance, Aatam Paatam Kondatam, and Dance Jodi Dance, which further solidified her presence in the entertainment industry.
Awards and Recognition
Pooja has received numerous accolades throughout her career, solidifying her reputation as one of the finest actresses in South Asian cinema. Some of her major awards include:
- Filmfare Awards South: Best Actress for Naan Kadavul (2009)
- Tamil Nadu State Film Awards: Best Supporting Actress for Naan Kadavul (2009)
- Derana Film Awards: Most Popular Actress for Kusa Paba (2013)
- SLIM-Nielsen People’s Awards: Most Popular Actress (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
- Sarasaviya Awards: Best Actress for Sarigama (2016)
In addition to her film achievements, Pooja also received the Janabhimani Honorary Award from the Sri Lankan government in 2017, recognizing her contribution to Sri Lankan cinema.
Pooja Gauthami Umashankar’s journey in the entertainment industry is one of perseverance, versatility, and immense talent. With her remarkable performances across various languages and her ability to portray a wide range of characters, she continues to inspire countless fans and aspiring actors. Her legacy in Tamil, Sinhala, and Indian cinema will undoubtedly remain significant for years to come.
Read More- Harini Amarasuriya