Pooja Batra, a multifaceted personality, is a renowned Indian model, actress, and entrepreneur. Her journey to stardom began with a significant win, propelling her into the limelight and a diverse career.
Wiki/Biography
Pooja Batra was born on October 27, 1976 (age 47 as of 2023) in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh. She holds a degree in Economics from Fergusson College, Pune, and an MBA in Marketing from Symbiosis International University, Pune. Her academic achievements are complemented by her athletic past; she actively participated in 200 and 400-meter sprints, representing her school nationally. Inspired by her mother, a 1971 Miss India semi-finalist, she entered the Femina Miss India pageant in 1993, winning the title of Femina Miss India International and becoming a semi-finalist in Miss International.
Physical Appearance
- Height (Approx.): 5′ 9″
- Weight (Approx.): 65 kg
- Figure Measurement (Approx.): 34-28-34
- Eye Colour: Brown
- Hair Colour: Brown (Dyed)
Family, Caste & Husband
Pooja Batra hails from a Hindu Khatri family. Her father, Ravi Batra, served in the army, and her mother, Neelam Batra, is a cosmetologist. Growing up in an army family resulted in attending twelve different schools across twelve years. While she was born in Faizabad, her ancestral roots trace back to Ludhiana, Punjab.
She’s been romantically linked to several actors in the past. In 2002, she married Los Angeles-based orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sonu S Ahluwalia, but they divorced in 2011. She later had a relationship with actor Christian Middelthon (2015-2017). Finally, she married actor Nawab Shah in a private ceremony in Delhi on July 4, 2019.
Career
Pooja’s journey into the modeling world began early, but her parents prioritized education. She balanced part-time modeling with her studies. Winning Femina Miss India International at 18 opened doors to Bollywood. Although receiving offers during college, she chose to finish her education first. A Liril soap commercial significantly boosted her recognition.
Her Bollywood debut was in “Virasat” (1997), alongside Tabu and Anil Kapoor. She also appeared in other Bollywood films and expanded her career to Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Punjabi cinema. While living in Los Angeles, she participated in theater and starred in films like “Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story” (2004) and “One Under The Sun” (2016), both screened at Cannes Film Festival. She also worked as an RJ in the USA starting in 2014.
She’s a lifetime member of the International Film and Television Club of the Asian Academy of Film & Television and was a spokesperson for Head & Shoulders in India.
Bike Collection
Pooja Batra owns a Harley Davidson Sportster 48.
Favourite Things
Here’s a quick look at Pooja’s preferences:
| Category | Favorite |
|---|---|
| Food | Pizza, Spaghetti, Pav Bhaji |
| Actor | Anupam Kher, Salman Khan |
| Drink | Red Wine |
| Restaurant | Astrid & Gaston, Peru |
| Destination | Columbia |
| Book | The Exiles by Ghalib Shiraz Dhalla |
Facts
- She occasionally drinks alcohol.
- She was a top model in India during the 90s, walking in nearly 300 fashion shows.
- Her height sometimes posed challenges for casting directors.
- She’s actively involved in philanthropy, donating to orphanages and educational institutions.
- Her hobbies include horse riding, swimming, and traveling.
- She practices yoga regularly.
