Actress Pooja Hegde has revealed instances of discrimination she faced on film sets. Having worked alongside leading actors in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi cinema, Pooja remains a prominent figure in the industry. While she previously took on multiple projects, she is now selective about her script choices.
In a recent interview, when asked about challenges faced due to co-stars, Pooja stated, “This exists across industries, though it manifests differently in each. For instance, a hero’s vanity van is stationed close to the set, while others have theirs placed farther away. Actresses wearing heavy costumes, such as grand lehengas, have to walk long distances to reach the set and return the same way after the shot. Though it may not seem significant, it is a form of discrimination.”
She further pointed out that actresses often do not receive due recognition. “At times, our names are omitted from posters, even when we play key roles in love stories. The film industry is a collaborative effort, and this should be acknowledged,” she added.
Pooja also expressed admiration for actress Anushka Sharma, stating that she relates to her journey, as both entered the industry without any backing. She also mentioned her appreciation for Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson.
Despite working with top actors who command high salaries, Pooja noted that she sometimes feels like a second-class citizen. However, she emphasized that she is pleased to see actresses receiving higher remuneration, considering it a positive development in the industry.
On the professional front, Pooja, who did not have any releases last year, is currently working on multiple projects. She recently appeared in Shahid Kapoor’s Deva and is filming Retro with Suriya, Coolie with Lokesh Kanagaraj, Kanchana 4 with Raghava Lawrence, and Jan Nayagan with Vijay.