A heroine who goes out of her way to help boost box-office collections literally, and who has endeared herself to dyed-in-the-wool Kannadiga cine-goers. That’s Pooja Gandhi for you. The former gesture has even earned her the informal title ‘producers’ heroine.’ For Friday’s matinee show, Pooja was at the ticket counter, tearing out the tickets for audiences at the Abhinay theatre. The booking clerk’s role wasn’t of course, during the shooting for any new movie. It was real time seriousness by Pooja, to help the producer of her film ‘Anu,’ Balu, to get back the money he had invested. Most stars usually make an appearance at the theatres during the interval to cheer the fans. But Pooja had walked the extra mile. No wonder, her act set the cash registers ringing. “It is a very good film and its script is very dear to my heart. But that the movie couldn’t get enough theatres to screen is a worry. Abhinay is the only place screening it. Hence, my effort to help out through this unique move,” Pooja said.
She plays a reporter in the film Anu, a remake of Telugu box-office hit Anasuya in which Bhoomika played the lead role. Pooja has received rave reviews from media for her performance in Anu. “I am planning to visit theatres in Mandya and Mysore shortly. I will be happy if Balu gets back his money,” Pooja said.
Another good news for her fans is that she’s kept her promise of learning Kannada within a year. She dubbed her voice for the film Ninagaagi Kaadiruve, directed by stunt master-cum-director Jolly Bastin. Vishaal Hegde and Dileep Raj play heroes in this triangular love story.
Pooja is the first heroine from North India to speak Kannada within a few years. One Kannada organisation had even felicitated Pooja for her inclination to speak Kannada. It may be recalled that Pooja had expressed a desire to dub for a Kannada movie, while attending the get together function of the film Accident last year. What is the speciality of Ninagaagi Kaadiruve? “You will see a different Pooja in this film. My character has three shades. I involved myself in this character for 45 days,” says Pooja with a smile.