Pooja Hegde Aims Big With Telugu Comeback

Pooja first became well-known through Telugu cinema. Movies like Oka Laila Kosam and Mukunda helped her gain attention, but it was DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham that really made her a big name. Success came with films like Maharshi and Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava, and Ala Vaikunthapurramulo made her one of the top heroines. However, after that, a series of unsuccessful movies slowed down her progress.

More than three years have passed since Pooja Hegde last appeared in a Telugu movie. Over this time, she faced some negative reactions for the kind of roles she picked, and a few of her recent projects didn't do well at the box office. Now, she's making a comeback in Tollywood with a new movie where Dulquer Salmaan is playing the main role. This film might be the key moment she needs to regain her position.

Films like Most Eligible Bachelor, Radhe Shyam, Beast, and Acharya didn’t perform well, and even a brief Bollywood stint with Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan failed to impress. Retro, which was supposed to mark her South comeback, also didn’t meet expectations. Still, Pooja’s appearance in the “Monica” song from Coolie reminded audiences of her screen presence, keeping hope alive.

Now, with Dulquer Salmaan by her side, the odds seem positive. He has been a lucky charm for many heroines, including Mrunal Thakur and Meenakshi Chaudhary, who gained recognition through Telugu films alongside him. In this film, Pooja plays a simple, girl-next-door character, and the movie is directed by newcomer Ravi Nelakuditi, produced by SLV Cinemas. If the film, Jana Nayagan, succeeds in January, it could mark a strong revival for Pooja’s career in Tollywood.