TV Times

TV Times

All eyes on Lankan-born Pooja
By Ramesh Uvais
Pooja Uma Shankar, the current sensation in the South Indian cinema has been in the news in Sri Lanka for more than one reason. The girl with expressive eyes has been the darling among Tamil moviegoers here after her stunning roles in Attagasam, Jay Jay and her first movie Ullam Ketkume.

Pooja was recently pencilled in to play the lead role in Channa Perera’s maiden directorial venture ‘Anjalika’ and we proceeded to meet this pretty girl where she was shooting for the first time in a Sinhala film.

Pooja who captured the hearts of film lovers overnight was born in Sri Lanka and she says she accepted the role in the film despite her tight schedules in India, simply because she loved Sri Lanka.

“I am acting in this first Sinhala film as a mark of respect to my grandparents in Sri Lanka. Hey, you know even otherwise I like this country where I was born. I am addicted to Sri Lanka I should say, “ she laughs. Pooja’s mother Sandhya is a Sinhalese and her father, a planter in India is Uma Shankar. Her parents married after a long standing love affair and the Sri Lanka and India connection might have been another version of ‘Veer Zaara’.

The location at Maharagama was packed with the team who were preparing for scenes with Pooja who was just in her second day’s schedule. How do you cope with the language barrier? We ask her between the cuts and actions.

“Oh, I have no choice but mug the Sinhala lines. But don’t underestimate me. I know some Sinhala words and that makes things easier. I hate cockroaches and recently I was forced to kill a couple of them. I am sure they would have cried ‘Maawa Beraganda’,” she laughs.

When prodded, Pooja is indeed fun. Her laugh could be heard a mile away. Pooja who entered filmdom without any plotting or planning says she never dreamt of acting in a movie. “I was approached by popular South Indian director Jeewa while shopping in India and before I knew it I was an actress,” Pooja says tossing her hair behind her.

“In terms of contracts signed, this Sinhala film is my seventh. Lucky Seven! I did Jay Jay with Madhavan, Attagasam with Ajith, I have already completed a film called ‘Thambi’ with Madhavan and another new film with Ramesh. I have already signed a contact for a film with SriKanth.”

“The Anjalika team led by Channa Perera, Santh Gunathilaka, Maureen Charuni, Lakshman Mendis and others are so sweet and we clicked from day one. The work atmosphere is very comfortable and I rely on them to overcome my language barrier,” her eyes crinkle as she smiles.

Pooja is tipped off as the next big thing in the South Indian cinema and she’s looking forward to act with mega stars like Vijay and Vikram in the near future. “The funniest part is that I watched the first day, first show of Attagasam in Colombo and you know the audience recognized me. They were watching me instead of the film. I was quite an experience,” she smiles running her hand through her silky hair.

I play the lead role in Anjalika and consider it a major challenge in my brief career. The scene is ready for the next shot. The glamour suspects – make up man and some assistants attend to her. Within minutes Pooja plays her part effortlessly. Channa is satisfied with shot.

Anjalika, produced by newcomer Malith Palliyaguruge is a gripping family story sprinkled with large doses of love and romance. Among the trump cards in the movie are seasoned players like Sanath Gunathilaka, cameraman Jayanath Gunawardana and other seniors. Sanath plays a challenging role as Channa’s father while director cum lead man Channa plays Pooja’s lover. The story also has Anarkali playing a frontline role in Anjalika.

So, what’s Pooja’s final take on life?
“Take life as it comes,” she replies philosophically. That’s Pooja Uma Shankar.
Long after the arclights have dimmed and the greasepaint has been removed, the audience will not remember the number of hits a star makes but only the qualities as a human being.

The human touch probably matters much more than the blockbusters for good stars like Pooja too.

The long distance actress will indeed create more waves in the film world and as Sri Lankans we should be proud of the girls who were born here and attended her first pre-school in Bambalapitiya.

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