Pooja Batra Biography: Net Worth, Husband, Age, Children, Height, Movies, Parents, Daughter

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Biography

Pooja Batra Shah, born on October 27, 1975, is an Indian-American actress, model, and beauty pageant titleholder known for her work in Hindi films. She rose to fame after winning the title of Femina Miss India International in 1993 and representing India at the Miss International pageant that same year.

Born in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, she is the daughter of army colonel Ravi Batra and Neelam Batra, who was a Miss India pageant contestant in 1971. Pooja spent her childhood in Ludhiana, where she excelled as an athlete, competing in the 200 and 400-meter dash events.

She holds a degree in Economics from Fergusson College, Pune, and an MBA in Marketing from Symbiosis International University, Pune. Pooja made her acting debut in 1997 with the film Virasat, earning critical acclaim and awards, including the Zee Cine Award for Best Supporting Actress and a Filmfare nomination. Over the years, she has acted in more than 20 films, with notable titles such as Haseena Maan Jayegi, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya, and Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye. Her film Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004.

Pooja expanded her acting career to South Indian cinema, appearing in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Punjabi films. After marrying orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sonu S. Ahluwalia in 2003, she moved to Los Angeles. Following their divorce in 2011, she returned to India and later married actor Nawab Shah in 2019.

Beyond her acting career, Pooja is deeply involved in philanthropy, supporting initiatives for AIDS awareness (Mukti Foundation), aiding homeless children, and assisting injured soldiers. She has also appeared in American television series such as Lethal Weapon and S.W.A.T., showcasing her versatility and ability to transcend cultural boundaries.

Pooja Batra
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Pooja Batra Shah
Stage Name:	Pooja Batra
Born:	27 October 1976 (age 48 years old)
Place of Birth:	Faizabad, India
Nationality:	Indian, American
Education:	Fergusson College, Symbiosis International University
Height:	175 cm
Parents:	Neelam Batra, Ravi Batra
Siblings:	Sonia Batra
Spouse:	Nawab Shah (m. 2019), Sonu S. Ahluwalia (m. 2003–2011)
Boyfriend • Partner:	Akshay Kumar (rum.), Armaan Kohli (rum.), Christian Middelthon
Children:	N/A
Occupation:	Actress • Model
Net Worth:	$77 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Pooja Batra was born on October 27, 1975, in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. She grew up in a military family; her father, Colonel Ravi Batra, was in the Indian Army, which led to the family’s frequent moves. She spent most of her childhood in Ludhiana, Punjab, where she was actively involved in athletics, particularly sprinting events like the 200—and 400-meter dashes.

Pooja Batra belongs to the Punjabi ethnicity and was born into a Hindu family. Her mother, Neelam Batra, was also a participant in the Miss India pageant in 1971. Pooja has an older sister named Sonia Batra. She completed her schooling at various institutions due to her father’s job transfers.

She graduated with a degree in Economics from Fergusson College, Pune. Later, she earned an MBA in Marketing from Symbiosis International University, Pune, which reflects her inclination towards academics alongside her entertainment career. Pooja Batra‘s early life was marked by her participation in sports and academics, setting a foundation for her later ventures into modeling and acting.

Career

Pooja Batra‘s career encompasses modeling, film acting, television, and entrepreneurial ventures. She first gained recognition after being crowned Femina Miss India International in 1993, representing India at Miss International. Her striking looks and confident demeanor established her as a prominent model, leading to numerous fashion shows and magazine covers across India.

Pooja made her film debut in 1997 with Virasat, co-starring Anil Kapoor and Tabu, a role that earned her the Zee Cine Award for Best Supporting Actress and a Filmfare nomination. She went on to star in notable Bollywood films, including Haseena Maan Jayegi (1999), Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (2001), and Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye (2000). Her performance in Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story (2005) gained international recognition, with the film being screened at the Cannes Film Festival.

Expanding her career into South Indian cinema, Pooja appeared in multiple regional films, including the Malayalam movie Megham, the Tamil film Sadhurangam, the Telugu production Nayakudu, and the Punjabi film Virsa. After marrying Dr. Sonu S. Ahluwalia in 2003, she moved to Los Angeles, leading to a brief hiatus from the Indian film industry. Following their divorce in 2011, she returned to India and resumed her acting career, appearing in films like ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi (2013) and television shows such as Sasural Genda Phool (2010).

Pooja has also ventured into American television, featuring in popular series like Lethal Weapon and S.W.A.T., showcasing her ability to connect with global audiences. Beyond acting, she has explored entrepreneurial endeavors, including health and wellness initiatives, further diversifying her professional portfolio.

Social Media

• Instagram: Pooja Batra Shah (@poojabatra)
• Wikipedia: Pooja Batra
• IMDb: Pooja Batra
• Facebook: Pooja Batra
• Twitter: Pooja Batra Shah (@iampoojabatra) / X

Personal Life

Pooja Batra married Dr. Sonu S. Ahluwalia, an orthopaedic surgeon based in Los Angeles, in 2003, with their wedding taking place in New Delhi. The couple divorced in 2011 after Pooja filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. In July 2019, she married actor Nawab Shah in a private ceremony in Delhi. The couple had an Arya Samaj wedding after dating for five months.

Pooja Batra does not have any children from either of her marriages. Standing at approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall, her height was often noted as a challenge during casting for male leads in her films due to height differences.

Before her marriages, Pooja was linked with several Bollywood actors, including rumors of a relationship with Akshay Kumar during the early 90s when they were both active in the modeling and acting scene. It is also rumored that she dated Armaan Kohli during her modeling days.

After her first divorce, Pooja was in a relationship with Christian Middelthon, an American actor, from 2015 to 2017. Although their relationship was part of her public life, it did not lead to marriage.

Net Worth

Pooja Batra‘s net worth has been estimated to be around $77 million, according to various online sources like Idol Net Worth. This valuation comes from her extensive career in Bollywood, her work in South Indian films, international television appearances, and her involvement in modeling and endorsement deals.

Her entrepreneurial ventures in health and wellness, along with her philanthropy, also contribute to her financial standing. However, net worth estimates can vary, and the exact figure might fluctuate based on her current projects and investments.

Filmography

Bollywood (Hindi Films)

• Virasat (1997)
• Chandralekha (1998)
• Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999)
• Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye (2000)
• Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (2001)
• Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe (2002)
• Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story (2005)
• ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi (2013)

South Indian Films

• Malayalam:
  • Megham (1999)
• Tamil:
  • Sadhurangam (2011)
• Telugu:
  • Nayakudu (2001)
  • Itlu Sravani Subramanyam (2001)
  • Okkadu (2003) – Special Appearance
• Punjabi:
  • Virsa (2010)

Television

• Sasural Genda Phool (2010) – Special Appearance
• Lethal Weapon (2018) – U.S. Series – Guest Role
• S.W.A.T. (2020) – U.S. Series – Guest Role

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