Even though she believes that it was destiny that she ventured into showbiz, Pooja Hegde admits that it was her own decision to work across different film industries in India. The actress, who will be seen in the pan-India film Radhe Shyam with Prabhas, believes that shuttling between various industries has rewarded her in many ways.

She says, “You get lucky when opportunity meets hard work. I always wanted to be an Indian actress — not identified by or restricted to cinema of any one language. I work on one principle — I will go where the content excites me, irrespective of language. I have never wanted to be restricted by language barriers.”

She adds, “When you work in any language, you establish a deep connection with the people who understand it. They get even more excited and respectful of you when they realise that their language is not yours, and yet, you’re making an effort to embrace it and enter their world. Irrespective of the language of a project, I dub my own portions with proper pronunciations. It was a conscious decision to work in different languages, which is paying off today. If there is a great Marathi film, I would love to do it, irrespective of the budget.”

Pooja and Prabhas started working on Radhe Shyam in 2018. It has taken four years for the film to finally hit cinemas. Pooja says, “I think more than me, you should ask the director (Radha Krishna Kumar) how it was for him. We’ve all worked on different things while this film was being made, but he has stuck to this one project for about five years — four years of getting it together and a year of prep. As for me, I was excited to play Prerna, who has so many shades and complexities. She has a strong presence in the story. In fact, if you watch the film closely, you will realise that I grew up in the process of making this film. In these four years, the experience of going from one project to another and handling a layered character like Prerna helped me mature as an artiste and as a person. There are places in the film where the evolution is evident, and that’s something I am excited to show to the world.”

Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 21, 2020)

On March 13, a ‘masked’ Pooja Hegde flew off to Europe for a schedule of her yet-untitled film with Prabhas, a period love story being directed by Radha Krishna Kumar. After filming for three days in Tbilisi in Georgia in the midst of the Coronavirus scare, the makers decided to halt the shoot for the safety of the cast and crew and returned to India on Wednesday.

“We collectively decided to pack-up and get back,” informs the actress. Quiz her on the precautions they took on the sets and while in transit, she says, “My team and I were extremely careful. We kept sanitising our hands, wore face masks and maintained distance from people.”

Buzz is, they canned a fight sequence featuring Prabhas in a flea market with Pooja joining him later for the romantic scenes. Without divulging details, she says, “It is going to be one beautiful love story. Even though it’s a period film, the romance is very fresh and mature.” With the shoot being called off abruptly, a major chunk remains to be canned. “There’s loads more left to shoot. The producers are yet to plan the new locations.”

Next up for Pooja, who was recently seen opposite Akshay Kumar in Housefull 4, is Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali with Salman Khan. The actress is obviously ecstatic to be doing a film with the actor and can’t wait to start shooting towards the year-end. “It’s going to be one huge film,” she promises.

She kicked off her Bollywood career with Mohenjo Daro alongside Hrithik Roshan and down South too, has worked with big names like Mahesh Babu, Ram Charan, Allu Arjun and Prabhas. “I always wanted to be an Indian actress, not restraining myself to one language,” she states. 

Saaho has made Prabhas Bollywood ready. The South sensation is liking the hustle and bustle of Mumbai and his love for vada pav will keep bringing him back
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; September 1, 2019)

On the eve of his film's release, South sensation Prabhas prefers "to run away somewhere." He's done his job, now let the audience decide. "I take off for a holiday," he says. It's always a well-deserved break considering the years that go into the making of every film of the Telugu star. For the last two years, he has been tied up with his new release, Saaho. He invested five years in the two-part Baahubali series, which hit screens in 2015 and 2017. Katappa ne Baahubali ko kyu maara was the question that haunted viewers for two years till the second part released.

The Telugu actor is aware that he will have to live with the Baahubali tag. "Expectations scare me," he says. "From the first part to the second part, it was like climbing from a mountain to scaling Mount Everest. Baahubali was a dream." He still pinches himself to know if it happened for real.

Low-Profiled
For most, the unassuming Prabhas remains an enigma. He prefers it this way "but now I have learnt to open up. I am more comfortable doing media interactions. Saaho has taken me to Bollywood." He has learnt how to do back-to-back interviews as well as the rounds of reality shows, where you have to play to the gallery. He even called Raveena Tandon his crush on Nach Baliye while promoting the film on the dance reality show.

Saaho has also made him Bollywood-ready but he still can't understand the paparazzi culture and airport look, which is non-existent in the South. He finds it rather amusing. Nor does he comprehend the rush to be here, there and everywhere when a film is up for release. Just like the way he chooses his films, he prefers working at this own pace. We catch up with him at a Goregaon hotel. Unlike Bollywood stars who travel with an entourage, there's only a manager accompanying him.

He is learning the hows and whys of B-Town. "Yes, I am open to doing Hindi films. Let's see how things work out." Though he understands the national language, he is not fluent in it due to lack of practise. "In the Hindi version of Saaho, I have delivered the dialogues with the help of a tutor. I do watch a lot of Hindi films." Another way to get familiar with the language.

Full Of Life
The publicity blitzkrieg for Saaho made him zip into Mumbai often. "Mumbai has a lot of energy, it's bustling but Hyderabad is home. My family and friends are there, so it will always be the place where I will go back to."

Prabhas has been relishing the city's street food. When in Mumbai, he lives off vada pavs. Saaho co-star Shraddha Kapoor also introduced him to Maharashtrian fare. "But I love north Indian food, especially naans and parathas. I am always looking for that perfect dish of butter chicken, that's my favourite too." He's glad that Kapoor stood by the project. "Shraddha is a performer. She respected the project despite the delays. It speaks volumes about her."

As Baahubali and Saaho required VFX and "the makers wanted the best, the projects took long to complete." He's a patient actor and had no qualms working with the 20-something director Sujeeth in Saaho. "He's a youngster, but he's terrific. He has worked with the best technicians in the South, so he has a firm grasp of the filmmaking process. The director is the captain of the ship, so we have to listen to him," he chuckles. Prabhas's next project is a Telugu love story, helmed by Radha Krishna Kumar. The film is slated to release next year. "I have already done a bit of shooting," he informs.

Turning 40
The South sensation turns 40 next month. Every time his film releases, his legion of fans wonder if he will tie the knot. He does not know what to say except laugh aloud. There has been tattle about him and South star Anushka Shetty. For the longest time there were rumours that the two are getting married. But nothing has happened as yet. "One thing is for sure, you will see me in more films now," he chips in.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 19, 2018)

Putting the debacle of Hrithik Roshan starrer Mohenjo Daro (2016) behind her, Pooja Hegde has bagged a bilingual — Hindi and Telugu — opposite South superstar Prabhas. With the shoot of Saaho delayed, the untitled project is likely to be Prabhas’s next to hit screens after Baahubali 2 (2017).

Hegde says there was “no question of not going ahead with a film like this.” “The director [Radha Krishna Kumar] and producers [Vamsi Krishna and U Pramod] came to me for the narration. It’s a thorough entertainer,” she says, adding that she is yet to meet her co-star.

Post the mammoth success of the Baahubali franchise, Prabhas’s larger-than-life persona could make newbies uncomfortable. But Hegde says her excitement overrides her anxiety. “For me, it was intimidating to work with Hrithik as well. But I managed that fine. I don’t look at this film as something that should intimidate me. It’s an opportunity to prove myself. Prabhas has done that already, it’s my turn now. “

The bilingual, which rolls in July, marks her second film in Hindi. Though it has been almost two years since her first Hindi film, the actor says she “never let it become a confidence issue. The reviews didn’t slam me. I was praised for my screen presence. Whether a film does well or not, is not in my hands.”

BOMBAY TIMES (March 12, 2018)

After making heads turn with her Bollywood debut in Ashutosh Gowariker’s Mohenjo-Daro, Pooja Hegde is all geared up for her next film. The Miss India finalist who has worked with Hrithik Roshan and Telugu superstar Duvvada Jagannadham (DJ) of Allu Arjun fame, is all set to work with Bahubali star Prabhas.

Pooja will be romancing Prabhas in this one-of-a-kind love story, which will be directed by Radha Krishna Kumar under the banner of UV Creations. The film is scheduled to go on floors around July 2018 and will hit screens in 2019. The bilingual film (Hindi and Telugu) will be shot at exotic locations abroad. Pooja is all geared up to work with some of the finest actors from Tollywood.

Earlier the actress had also confirmed the films she has with superstar Mahesh Babu and Jr NTR in her kitty. Pooja seems to have a busy calendar all through this year and in 2019.