When she made her debut in Marathi films through ‘Sarjaa’ she was only 16 years old and then studying in New college , Kolhapur. Pooja Pawar was then very active through entertainment programmes in her college and had also been selected as the ‘welcome girl’ for the tableau presented by the NCC wing for Maharashtra state, at the Republic Day celebrations.
After the release of ‘Sarjaa’, it was a struggle for this newcomer; but then, she successfully found roles in films of well known film makers like Rajdutt, Dr. Jabbar Patel, Mahesh Kothare, Vikram Gokhale, Chandrakant Kulkarni, Kundan Shah and others. Those days, she had twenty plus block busters like – ‘Topi Var Topi’, ‘Chikat Nana’, ‘Ek Hota Vidushak’, ‘Vishvavinayak’ to name a few.
Now, Year 2014, seems to be her year of comeback after so many years. Very recently, her film ‘Headline’ was released. And now, her next film ‘Gondan’ is due for release in the first week of August 2014. Produced by Ashish keskar and directed by Vinika P. this film is a story of Mother and daughter and is set on the backdrop of a Lavani dancer. In this film, Pooja has plenty of scope to deliver variety through her role, as there is also a song picturised on her baithak lavani performance. Her daughter’s role in this film is played by Pooja Sawant.
MarathiMovieWorld met this talented actress, during the launch and announcement of new Marathi film ‘Yashwanti’, which will be the first film in Marathi on adventure, with an animated historic character, being part of the film. Pooja is playing an important role in this film. Excerpts from a short interview :
Q: You are making a comeback to Marathi films, after a long break. Isn’t it ?
A: Yes, I had taken a long break after my marriage. Then, it was time to look after my little daughters. Now, that they are grown up, I thought that it was the right time for me to resume my work. Luckily, I am finding suitable roles.
Q: How do you look at the change in Marathi film industry? I mean, the struggle of artistes in finding suitable roles?
A: Struggle was there that time and even now. After my first film ‘Sarjaa’, even I struggled to find roles. And, now while making a comeback, there is struggle once again. It is almost like starting a fresh innings.
Q: 25 years ago, you came from Kolhapur and now after so many years, we find another talented actress from Kolhapur – Usha Jadhav, winning national award for her performance in the film ‘Dhag’. How do you react ?
A: I feel proud that girls from Kolhapur are doing well in Marathi entertainment industry. Winning a national award is something special.
Q: Heard a lot about your role in forthcoming Marathi film ‘Gondan’. Could you please tell us something about it ?
A: ‘Gondan’ is a good story based film, which revolves around a mother and her daughter. In this film, my character has variety of shades, giving ample scope to acting. There is also a Lavani song picturised on me. Since my schooldays, I have taken training in Kathak under master Prakash Kulkarni, a well-known dance master in Kolhapur. I am glad that even now, I am finding suitable roles.