Hegde talks of southern comfort

She carved a niche for herself in Bollywood in Ashutosh Gowariker’s Mohanjo Daro opposite Hrithik Roshan and went on to do a bilingual film with Telugu superstar Allu Arjun’s Duvvada Jagannadham (DJ).

Pooja Hegde has become popular in Tollywood and has already signed three bilingual films this year, including one with superstar Mahesh Babu, directed by Vamsi Pidapally. Her other film is with Jr NTR in Trivikram’s next. She will also be seen romancing Prabhas in a love story which is going to be 2019’s biggest bilingual (Hindi & Telugu) film to be shot in June.

“I’m excited more than anything else. All the three films have interesting scripts and my roles are very different and bold. After completing the shoot for the Telugu film Saksham, I’ll be starting with the untitled film of Jr NTR film in April. I’m happy to work with Prabhas and preparing for it. More than Bollywood, I feel the Telugu audience has connected with me and I’m overwhelmed by the love and appreciation I have been getting from fans and the industry. I believe that hard work pays off,” Hegde says.

Though Mohanjo Daro didn’t do well, Hegde feels that an actor’s performance becomes the deciding factor for filmmakers to cast them in their upcoming projects. And, if your previous film bombs at the box office, the industry starts labeling you and it becomes difficult to get good projects.

“It is not that I’ve not got any film post Mohanjo Daro. I did get offers but I said no to a lot of them because the role was not substantial and the script weak. It was clashing with my other film. If your film does well, your chances of getting good projects become higher. But if your film doesn’t do well, it does affect your future, especially when you are not from a film background and have no backing or a Godfather. It is tough for such actors but the key is to not be defeated, keep trying and work hard.

“Actors pray that some filmmaker considers them for a substantial role and give them another opportunity to prove themselves. I don’t think talent can go unnoticed. Hard work always pays off,” she adds.

Talking about her baby steps in acting, Hegde said, working with Ashutosh Gowariker and Hrithik Roshan was a great learning experience.

“The attention Ashutosh Gowariker gives to detailing for every frame is amazing. I learnt from him what to do and what not to do which is very important. I learnt a lot from Hrithik in terms of the way he is as a person and his dedication to his craft. Unfortunately, the film didn’t do as well as it was expected to. But I have moved on and have put my head down to keep working hard,” Hegde concludes.