Pooja Umashankar Wiki, Age, Facts, Biography, Height, Weight, Affairs, Net worth & More
Name – Pooja Umashankar

Nick Name – Pooja

Real Name – Pooja Gauthami Umashankar

Date of Birth – 25/06/1981

Age – 36 years (2017)

Born Place – Colombo, Sri Lanka

Profession – Indian-Sri Lankan Actress, Model

Father – H. R. Umashankar

Mother – Sandhya

Brother – Not Known

Sister – Not Known

Husband – Prashan (Sri Lankan Businessman)

Languages Known – Kannada, Tamil, English and Sinhala

School – Poornaprajna (Aldur, Bangalore), Nirmala Convent School (Mysore), Baldwin’s Girls High School (Bangalore)

College / University – Mount Carmel College, Bangalore

Education – Post Graduate

Height – 5’4” / 160 cm / 1.6 m

Weight – 52 Kg / 114 lbs

Body Measurements – 34-26-34

Bra Size – 34C

Waist Size – 26 inches

Hip Size – 34 inches

Shoe Size – 8 (US)

Dress Size – 4 (US)

Sun Sign / Zodiac Sign – Cancer

Hair Color – Black

Eye Color – Black

Body Build – Hourglass

Hobbies – Dancing, Travelling and Photography

Affairs / Boyfriends – Deepak Shanmuganathan (Model)

Debut Movie – Jay Jay (2003)

Salary – Not Known

Net Worth – Not Known

Television –
Aatam Paatam Kondatam (Reality Dance Show, Judge), Daskon (2013)

Filmography –
Jay Jay (2003), Attahasam (2004), Ullam Ketkumae (2005), Githan (2005), Anjalika (2006), Pattiyal (2006), Thambi (2006), Thagapansamy (2006), Pori (2007), Panthaya Kozhi (2007), Asai Man Piyabanna (2007), Oram Po (2007), Yahaluvo (2007), Naan Kadavul (2009), TN-07 AL 4777 (2009), Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe (2010), Drohi (2010), Orange (2010), Smoking Kills (2011), Kusa Prabha (2012), Mirage (2012), Vidiyum Munn (2013), Kadavul Paathi Mirogam Paathi (2015), Paththini (2016), Sarigama (2016)

---

Pooja Umashankar: The Versatile Indian-Sri Lankan Actress Who Redefined Her Career

Pooja Gauthami Umashankar is an actress whose career spans the vibrant film industries of South India and Sri Lanka, showcasing a rare versatility that allowed her to transition seamlessly between commercial blockbusters and critically acclaimed, challenging roles. Born with a rich, bi-cultural heritage, Pooja’s filmography is a testament to her talent, earning her prestigious awards and a loyal fan following across multiple linguistic regions.

From her early modeling days to delivering an unforgettable, award-winning performance as a blind beggar, Pooja Umashankar’s journey in cinema is a compelling story of an artist who chose meaningful roles over mere stardom. This deep-dive explores the life, career, personal journey, and facts that define this celebrated Indian-Sri Lankan star.

---

Quick Facts: Pooja Umashankar at a Glance

Fact	Detail
Full Name	Pooja Gauthami Umashankar
Date of Birth	June 25, 1981
Age	44 (as of 2025)
Place of Birth	Colombo, Sri Lanka
Nationality	Indian-Sri Lankan
Ethnicity	Kannada Brahmin (Father) and Sri Lankan Sinhalese (Mother)
Marital Status	Married
Spouse	Prashan David Vethakan (m. 2016)
Occupation	Actress, Model, TV Presenter (Former)
Debut Film	Jay Jay (Tamil, 2003) (First theatrical release)
Notable Work	Naan Kadavul, Kusa Pabha, Vidiyum Munn
Net Worth (Estimated)	$1 Million – $5 Million (Approx.)

---

Early Life and Educational Background

Pooja Umashankar was born on June 25, 1981, in the capital city of Colombo, Sri Lanka, an upbringing that gifted her a unique cross-cultural perspective and linguistic abilities. Her heritage is a beautiful blend of South India and Sri Lanka. Her father, H. R. Umashankar, is an Indian Kannada Brahmin, originally from Sringeri in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka, who worked as a manager at Hindustan Unilever. Her mother, Sandhya, is a Sri Lankan Sinhalese.

Pooja’s early schooling began in Sri Lanka, but she spent the majority of her formative years and education in India. This geographical and cultural exposure made her multilingual, as she is fluent in Kannada, Sinhala, Tamil, and English.

Her academic pursuit was notably strong, reflecting a focus that extended beyond the performing arts:

• Schooling: She attended Poornapragnya in Aldur, Nirmala Convent in Mysuru, and then Baldwin Girls’ High School in Bangalore.
• Higher Education: Pooja completed her undergraduate degree in Commerce (B.Com.) and went on to earn a postgraduate degree, an MBA (Master of Business Administration), both from the prestigious Mount Carmel College in Bangalore.

This educational background highlights that Pooja did not initially set out to be an actress. In fact, she reportedly intended to pursue a corporate career, only agreeing to her debut film role to make money before returning to her studies, an intention that fate and a compelling offer soon made her rethink.

---

The Silver Screen Journey: A Career in Two Worlds

Pooja Umashankar’s foray into cinema was serendipitous, beginning when a friend introduced her to the cinematographer-turned-director, Jeeva. Though she debuted in the Tamil film industry, her career quickly evolved to encompass both Kollywood and the thriving Sinhala cinema in Sri Lanka, establishing her as a rare star with significant acclaim in both major industries.

Tamil Cinema: Breakthrough and Critical Acclaim

Pooja’s technical debut was in the Tamil film Ullam Ketkumae, though its prolonged delay meant that the romantic comedy Jay Jay (2003), opposite R. Madhavan, became her first official theatrical release.

• Commercial Success: Her early career was marked by commercial hits, including playing the romantic lead opposite Ajith Kumar in Attagasam (2004) and being part of the multi-starrer sleeper hit Ullam Ketkumae (2005). Other notable commercial ventures include Thambi (2006) and the critically acclaimed neo-noir gangster film Pattiyal (2006).

• The Turning Point: Naan Kadavul: The pivotal moment in her career came with director Bala’s 2009 art-house film, Naan Kadavul (I Am God). In this intense film, Pooja delivered a career-defining performance as Hamshavalli, a blind beggar. Her authentic and moving portrayal, which involved spending weeks observing real-life beggars to prepare, was universally praised by critics. This role swept the major awards circuits:

  • Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil
  • Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Character Artiste

• Continued Acclaim: Following her Naan Kadavul success, she continued to choose challenging roles, such as her portrayal of a sex worker in the thriller Vidiyum Munn (2013), a performance for which she was nominated for and won several awards, including the Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award for Best Actress.

Sinhala Cinema: Achieving Blockbuster Status

Simultaneously with her work in Tamil cinema, Pooja developed a powerhouse career in the Sri Lankan film industry. Her entry into Sinhala cinema was with Anjalika (2006), which catapulted her to sensation status and a household name in Sri Lanka.

• Record-Breaking Performance: Her biggest commercial success came with the 2012 big-budget epic film, Kusa Pabha, where she starred as the lead, Pabawathi. This film notably became the highest-grossing film in the history of Sri Lankan cinema at the time of its release.
• Continued Dominance: She starred in other highly successful Sinhala films like Asai Man Piyabanna (2007), Suwanda Denuna Jeewithe (2010), Sarigama (2016), and Paththini (2016), consistently winning the SLIM-Nielsen People’s Award for Most Popular Actress multiple times.

Other Work and Ventures

Pooja’s versatility also extended to other South Indian language films, including:

• Malayalam Film: Panthaya Kozhi (2007)
• Telugu Film: A cameo role in Orange (2010)
• Television: She served as a judge on the popular Tamil dance reality show, Aatam Paatam Kondatam, on Kalaignar TV.

---

Physical Attributes: Height, Weight, and More

Pooja Umashankar is often noted for her graceful screen presence and engaging features.

Attribute	Measurement
Height	5 feet 4 inches (163 cm or 1.63 m)
Weight	Approximately 52 kg to 55 kg
Body Measurements	Approximately 34-26-34 inches
Eye Colour	Black/Dark Brown
Hair Colour	Black

---

Personal Life, Affairs, and Marriage

Pooja Umashankar has generally maintained a private life, though details of her relationships have occasionally come to the public fore.

Past Relationship and Engagement

Pooja was previously in a serious relationship that led to an engagement.

• Deepak Shanmuganathan: In 2014, she was engaged to Sri Lankan model Deepak Shanmuganathan.
• Split: The engagement was called off later that year due to “a difference of opinions” and personal reasons.

Marriage and Family

Following her broken engagement, Pooja found love and married a Sri Lankan businessman.

• Husband: Prashan David Vethakan.
• Marriage Date: The couple tied the knot in December 2016.
• Ceremony: The wedding was a private, low-key affair held in Colombo, attended only by the immediate families of the couple.

Pooja’s personal and spiritual beliefs are also part of her biography; she is a Christian convert and maintains a private approach to her faith. Despite her Indian heritage through her father, she is known to maintain residences between Sri Lanka and India, reflecting her bi-national career.

---

Net Worth and Earnings

As a prominent actress with a successful dual-career in both the South Indian (Kollywood) and Sri Lankan (Sinhala) film industries, Pooja Umashankar’s earnings have been diversified.

• Estimated Net Worth: Her estimated net worth is reported to be in the range of $1 million to $5 million.
• Sources of Income: Her wealth is primarily derived from:
  • Acting fees from Tamil, Sinhala, Malayalam, and Telugu films.
  • Modeling assignments and commercial endorsements.
  • Remuneration for television appearances, such as judging reality shows.

The success of blockbuster films like Naan Kadavul in India and Kusa Pabha in Sri Lanka, the latter of which became a record-grosser, solidified her standing as a bankable star, contributing significantly to her financial success.

---

The Legacy of a Versatile Performer

Pooja Umashankar’s career stands as a fascinating case study in trans-national stardom. Unlike many actresses who focus on a single film industry, she managed to master two distinct markets, earning both mass popularity and critical respect.

Her ability to switch roles—from the vivacious commercial heroine in Jay Jay and Attagasam to the intense, de-glamorised, and award-winning Hamshavalli in Naan Kadavul—showcases her true range as a performer. Her commitment to her craft, demonstrated by her intensive preparation for her most challenging roles, cemented her reputation not just as a beautiful face, but as a serious actress in the South Asian cinema landscape. Her work, especially in Naan Kadavul and Kusa Pabha, ensures her place among the most versatile and celebrated artists of her generation.

---

AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: What is Pooja Umashankar’s age and date of birth?

A1: Pooja Umashankar was born on June 25, 1981, which makes her 44 years old as of 2025.

Q2: Is Pooja Umashankar an Indian actress or a Sri Lankan actress?

A2: Pooja Umashankar is an Indian-Sri Lankan former actress. Her father is an Indian Kannada Brahmin, and her mother is a Sri Lankan Sinhalese. She has worked extensively and successfully in both the Indian Tamil and Sri Lankan Sinhala film industries.

Q3: What is the most famous movie of Pooja Umashankar?

A3: Pooja Umashankar is most famous for her critically acclaimed role as Hamshavalli, a blind beggar, in the 2009 Tamil film Naan Kadavul, directed by Bala. This role earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil. She is also highly celebrated in Sri Lanka for the blockbuster film Kusa Pabha (2012).

Q4: Who is Pooja Umashankar’s husband?

A4: Pooja Umashankar is married to Prashan David Vethakan, a Sri Lankan businessman. They were married in a private ceremony in December 2016.

Q5: What is Pooja Umashankar’s educational qualification?

A5: Pooja Umashankar is highly educated. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) degree and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore.