Pooja Chopra
{{short description|Indian actress and model (born 1986)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Like resume|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox pageant titleholder
| name = Pooja Chopra
| image = Pooja Chopra graces Esha Amin’s Holiday Edit (04) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Chopra in 2018
| birth_name = Pooja Chopra
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1986|5|3|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal, India
| alma_mater = Ness Wadia College of Commerce, Pune
| occupation = Actress, Model
| years_active = 2009–present
| title = Femina Miss India World 2009
| competitions = Femina Miss India World 2009
(Winner)
Miss World 2009
(Top 16)
(Beauty with a Purpose)
}}
Pooja Chopra (born 3 May, 1986) is an Indian actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder. She won the title of Femina Miss India World 2009 and represented India at Miss World 2009 pageant where{{Cite web |title=Pooja Chopra is Miss India 2009 |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pooja-chopra-is-miss-india-2009-390961 |access-date=10 June 2020 |website=NDTV.com |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610110613/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pooja-chopra-is-miss-india-2009-390961 |url-status=live }} she became the first Indian to win the "Beauty with a Purpose" title at the Miss World competition for India.{{Cite web |title=Injured Miss India is 'Beauty with a Purpose' |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/injured-miss-india-is-beauty-with-a-purpose-406728 |access-date=10 June 2020 |website=NDTV.com |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610110615/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/injured-miss-india-is-beauty-with-a-purpose-406728 |url-status=live }} As an actress, Chopra was awarded the Times Most Powerful Woman Award for her contribution to the field of acting. She got her breakthrough with Commando: A One Man Army and since then, appeared in many films.{{Cite web |last=Media |first=5 Dreams |title=Pooja Chopra Wins The Times Most Powerful Women Award 2017! |url=http://www.elfaworld.com/post/pooja-chopra-wins-the-times-most-powerful-women-award-2017 |access-date=10 June 2020 |website=elfaworld.com |language=en-IN |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610110614/http://www.elfaworld.com/post/pooja-chopra-wins-the-times-most-powerful-women-award-2017 |url-status=live }}
Pooja Chopra features in the Times list of 50 most beautiful faces of India.{{Cite web |title=The Times 50 Most Desirable Women 2013 {{!}} Pooja Chopra at 31 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMTFtyZRQpE |access-date=10 June 2020 |via=YouTube |archive-date=13 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113111230/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMTFtyZRQpE |url-status=live }}
Early life
Chopra was born in Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal, India. She stated was abandoned by her father at birth since he wanted a boy.{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/pooja-chopra-her-mom-break-down-daddy-didnt-want-her-coz-he-wanted-a-male-child-exclusive-interview/articleshow/100358646.cms?from=mdr |title=Pooja Chopra & her Mom BREAK DOWN: "Daddy didn't want her 'coz he wanted a male child!" - Exclusive Interview |access-date=10 November 2023 |archive-date=10 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110040236/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/pooja-chopra-her-mom-break-down-daddy-didnt-want-her-coz-he-wanted-a-male-child-exclusive-interview/articleshow/100358646.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }} Chopra's mother, Neera had to leave her marital home since she refused to admit Pooja to an orphanage in Kolkata, and she moved to Mumbai with both kids. She worked and brought up both girls by herself.{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/My-husband-threw-us-out-Neera-Chopra/articleshow/4451333.cms |title=Neera Chopra: My Husband threw us out |work=The Times of India |date=26 April 2009 |access-date=15 July 2012 |archive-date=23 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023221631/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/My-husband-threw-us-out-Neera-Chopra/articleshow/4451333.cms |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-miss-india-pooja-chopra-s-dad-told-mum-to-kill-her-or-forfeit-marriage-1252465 |title=Miss India Pooja Chopra's dad told mum to kill her or forfeit marriage |date=3 May 2009 |website=DNA India |language=en |access-date=12 March 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221022447/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-miss-india-pooja-chopra-s-dad-told-mum-to-kill-her-or-forfeit-marriage-1252465 |archivedate=21 December 2013 |url-status=live}} She is a resident of Pune, Maharashtra.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}} She has an older sister named Shubhra Chopra. She attended Mount Carmel Convent High School and later graduated from Ness Wadia College, both in Pune.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}
Career
=2009–12: Career beginnings=
Pooja Chopra was crowned with the 2009 Femina Miss India East title on 17 February 2009, in Kolkata. She also won Miss Perfect 10, Miss Catwalk, Miss Beautiful Smile, Talwarkars Best Body, and Nakshatra Miss Sparkling Beauty, thus gaining direct entry into the top ten finalists of the Femina Miss India 2009. On 5 April 2009, she was crowned the Pantaloons Femina Miss India-World 2009.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
Chopra sprained her ankle while running down a flight of stairs one week prior to the Miss World Final, which was scheduled to take place on 12 December 2009; still, she participated in the competition and earned a positive response from the public.{{Cite web |date=13 December 2009 |title=Miss Gibraltar crowned Miss World; Miss India wins plaudits |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-miss-gibraltar-crowned-miss-world-miss-india-wins-plaudits-1323200 |access-date=10 June 2020 |website=DNA India |language=en |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610110612/https://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-miss-gibraltar-crowned-miss-world-miss-india-wins-plaudits-1323200 |url-status=live }} Doctors advised 3 weeks of complete bed-rest, but she continued with the competition.{{Cite web |title=I am not withdrawing from Miss World, says injured Pooja Chopra |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/fashion/shows/I-am-not-withdrawing-from-Miss-World-says-injured-Pooja-Chopra/articleshow/5325959.cms |access-date=10 June 2020 |website=The Times of India |language=en |archive-date=13 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713015649/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/fashion/shows/I-am-not-withdrawing-from-Miss-World-says-injured-Pooja-Chopra/articleshow/5325959.cms |url-status=live }} She finished as one of the top 16 finalists out of 120 contestants.{{Cite web |date=13 December 2009 |title=Pooja Chopra misses the crown; but wins loudest applause |url=https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/glamtalk/pooja-chopra-misses-the-crown-but-wins-loudest-applause_48754.html |access-date=10 June 2020 |website=Zee News |language=en |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610112116/https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/glamtalk/pooja-chopra-misses-the-crown-but-wins-loudest-applause_48754.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Outlook India Photo Gallery |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/photos/single/18712 |access-date=10 June 2020 |website=outlookindia.com/ |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610110614/https://www.outlookindia.com/photos/single/18712 |url-status=live }}
During her reign as Miss she endorsed brands such as Tata Docomo,{{cite web |url=http://www.bollyone.com/pooja-chopra-brand-ambassador-of-tata-docomo |title=Pooja Chopra brand ambassador of Tata Docomo |publisher=Bollyone.com |date=6 August 2009 |access-date=6 July 2012 |archive-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620024707/https://www.bollyone.com/pooja-chopra-brand-ambassador-of-tata-docomo/ |url-status=live }} Bajaj Allainz,{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/10/stories/2009041056371500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411020315/http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/10/stories/2009041056371500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 April 2009 |title=Business : Bajaj Allianz launches women-specific scheme |date=10 April 2009 |work=The Hindu |access-date=6 July 2012}} Richfeel,{{Cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/parties-and-events/femina-miss-india-world-pooja-chopra-at-richfeel-trichology-event/ |title=Femina Miss India World Pooja Chopra at Richfeel Trichology event | Parties & Events - Bollywood Hungama |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=22 June 2011 |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216205752/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/parties-and-events/femina-miss-india-world-pooja-chopra-at-richfeel-trichology-event/ |url-status=live }} Body and Soul, Roots Comb, Evolve Med Spa,{{cite web |url=http://www.evolvemedspa.org/html/tvcs.htm |title=Evolve Med Spa |publisher=Evolve Med Spa |access-date=6 July 2012 |archive-date=17 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617100433/http://www.evolvemedspa.org/html/tvcs.htm |url-status=dead}} and Juvederm Voluma.{{cite web |url=http://hamaraphotos.com/bollywood/launch-events/pooja-chopra-unveils-juvederm-voluma.html |title=Pooja Chopra unveils Juvederm Voluma | Bollywood Bytes |publisher=Hamaraphotos.com |date=6 May 2010 |access-date=6 July 2012 |archive-date=30 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830063821/http://hamaraphotos.com/bollywood/launch-events/pooja-chopra-unveils-juvederm-voluma.html |url-status=live }}
=2013–present: Acting=
File:Pooja Chopra promoting short film ‘Ouch’ at MAMI 18th Mumbai Film Festival (cropped).jpg in 2016]]
Chopra made her acting debut in the 2011 Tamil film Ponnar Shankar,{{Cite web |title=Ponnar Shankar (film) Review |website=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/Ponnar-Shankar/movie-review/7998113.cms |language=en |access-date=10 June 2020 |archive-date=1 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601235637/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/Ponnar-Shankar/movie-review/7998113.cms |url-status=live }} playing the role of Princess Muthaayi, opposite Prashanth Thiagarajan.{{cite web |url=http://www.kollytalk.com/cinenews/ponnar-shankar-sold-to-martin-productions/ |title=Ponnar Shankar sold to Martin Productions |publisher=Kollytalk.com |date=15 August 2010 |access-date=6 July 2012 |archive-date=6 September 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906110916/http://www.kollytalk.com/cinenews/ponnar-shankar-sold-to-martin-productions/ |url-status=dead}} Before she made her debut in Bollywood as a leading lady, she had minor roles in Madhur Bhandarkar's films Fashion and Heroine.{{cite web |title=Former Miss India Pooja Chopra became an actress for her mother |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/former-miss-india-pooja-chopra-became-an-actress-for-her-mother-349191 |access-date=4 April 2013 |archive-date=7 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407010145/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/former-miss-india-pooja-chopra-became-an-actress-for-her-mother-349191 |url-status=dead}}
Chopra acted in Vipul Shah's action film Commando opposite Vidyut Jammwal, in her first lead role.{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Sarika |title=Ayushmann Khuraana's 'Nautanki Saala', Vidyut Jamwal's Commando hit screens today |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/nautanki-saala-commando-release-today/1101374/ |access-date=13 April 2013 |newspaper=The Indian Express |archive-date=14 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414232235/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/nautanki-saala-commando-release-today/1101374 |url-status=live }} Chopra starred in Neeraj Pandey's short film Ouch, a dramatic love story.{{cite web |first=Roshmila |last=Bhattacharya |title='Ouch' review: Neeraj Pandey's short film turns the tables on the man-woman equation |work=Mumbai Mirror |url=http://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/art-theatre/Ouch-review-Neeraj-Pandeys-short-film-turns-the-tables-on-the-man-woman-equation/articleshow/55037479.cms |access-date=16 December 2016 |archive-date=20 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220215053/http://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/art-theatre/Ouch-review-Neeraj-Pandeys-short-film-turns-the-tables-on-the-man-woman-equation/articleshow/55037479.cms |url-status=live }}
Meena Iyer from Times of India said, "Pooja Chopra (Femina Miss India-2009) is super-confident in her film debut and a welcome addition to Bollywood's heroines".{{cite web |last=Iyer |first=Meena |title=Commando (2013) Movie Review |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Commando--A-One-Man-Army/movie-review/19474087.cms |work=The Times of India |access-date=11 April 2013 |archive-date=11 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411133558/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Commando--A-One-Man-Army/movie-review/19474087.cms |url-status=live }}
Pooja has won 8 National and International Titles in 2009. She appeared in Kingfisher Calendar 2020. Pooja features in Times 50 Most beautiful faces India. Chopra's next films [https://m.beautypageants.in/miss-india/pooja-chopra-to-star-in-jahaan-chaar-yaar/articleshow/81449458.cms Jahaan Chaar Yaar] and [https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/arshad-warsi-will-take-on-a-double-role-for-the-first-time-in-jeevan-bheema-yojana-52858.html Jeevan Beema Yojna] both releasing in 2022.
She has given a TED Talk on the subject of [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUeIqKulW6k "Write your own destiny : Journey of a once abandoned girl child".] The talk happened in Krupanidhi Institution of Engineering, Bangalore.
Philanthropy
On 12 December 2009, she won the "Beauty With a Purpose" title at Miss World 2009 based on her charitable work in the India "Nanhi Kali" project. She won US$10,000 for her project, which she donated to the NGO which helps small girls fight poverty.{{Cite web |title=Pantaloon Femina Miss India World 2009 Comes Together with Nanhi Kali on International Girl Child's Day |url=https://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news-sector-media-entertainment/pantaloon-femina-miss-india-world-2009-comes-together-with-nanhi-kali-on-international-girl-child%E2%80%99s-day-113092400682_1.html |access-date=10 June 2020 |website=IIFL - India Infoline |language=en |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610110614/https://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news-sector-media-entertainment/pantaloon-femina-miss-india-world-2009-comes-together-with-nanhi-kali-on-international-girl-child%E2%80%99s-day-113092400682_1.html |url-status=live }}
Considering their shared interest in fitness, Pooja chopra, along with Akshay Kumar, launched the Asian Heart Institute Initiative "Happy Heart India" campaign for underprivileged children in 2018.{{Cite news |last=Hungama |first=Bollywood |date=23 April 2018 |title=Pooja Chopra joins Akshay Kumar for Asian Heart Institute's latest initiative- 'Happy Heart India' |language=en-US |work=Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/pooja-chopra-joins-akshay-kumar-asian-heart-institutes-latest-initiative-happy-heart-india/ |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620232006/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/pooja-chopra-joins-akshay-kumar-asian-heart-institutes-latest-initiative-happy-heart-india/ |url-status=live }} Chopra was also invited by the BMC to lead the campaign #EkChammachKam alongside Farhan Akhtar to spread awareness about non-communicable diseases.{{Cite news |title=Farhan Akhtar, Pooja Chopra team up to fight against health risks in the city |work=Mumbai Mirror |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/farhan-akhtar-pooja-chopra-team-up-to-fight-against-health-risks-in-the-city/articleshow/64593453.cms |access-date=22 June 2018 |archive-date=22 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622140312/https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/farhan-akhtar-pooja-chopra-team-up-to-fight-against-health-risks-in-the-city/articleshow/64593453.cms |url-status=live }}
Post Pulwama attack in 2019, Pooja Chopra donated part of her Aiyaary earnings to families of Martyred Soldiers.{{Cite web |last=Hungama |first=Bollywood |date=17 February 2018 |title=Pooja Chopra donates part of her Aiyaary earning to families of martyred soldiers : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama |website=Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/pooja-chopra-donates-part-aiyaary-earning-families-martyred-soldiers/ |access-date=10 June 2020 |language=en |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610110809/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/pooja-chopra-donates-part-aiyaary-earning-families-martyred-soldiers/ |url-status=live }}
Filmography
| class="wikitable"
|+Key | style="background:#FFFFCC;"| {{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}} | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
=Web series=
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|3194282}}
- {{Instagram|poojachopraofficial}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130515025634/http://feminamissindia.indiatimes.com/photoshow/5444834.cms?curpg=6 Miss India – profile]
{{S-start}}
{{S-ach}}
{{succession box
| before= Parvathy Omanakuttan
| title= Femina Miss India World
| years= 2009
| after= Manasvi Mamgai
}}
{{succession box
| before= {{flagicon|TRI}} Gabrielle Walcott
| title=Miss World Beauty with a Purpose
| years=2009
| after={{flagicon|Kenya}} Natasha Metto
}}
{{S-end}}
{{Miss World 2009 delegates}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chopra, Pooja}}
Category:Beauty pageant contestants from Kolkata
Category:21st-century Indian actresses
Category:Indian film actresses
Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema
Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema
Category:Miss World 2009 delegates
Category:Femina Miss India winners
Category:Actresses from Kolkata