Pooja Hegde: Fashion is empowering; it has the power to make you feel different

Mar 06, 2025 04:06 PM IST

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In an exclusive shoot with HT City Showstoppers, actor Pooja Hegde talks about her style statement and how it has evolved over time

With a huge fan base not just on social media, actor Pooja Hegde has managed to build her career in both Hindi and South films. Be it avant-garde gowns or oversized casual fits, Pooja believes that fashion can be empowering. While shuttling between multiple industries and living out of a suitcase, she says fashion is always a huge help. She draws a parallel between fashion and acting as she says, “For me, fashion is empowering as you can use it to your advantage. It can make you feel different. It’s like a character one puts on.”

Actor Pooja Hegde stuns in a Moledro gown, featuring intricate details and a dramatic structured trail. The luxurious fabric adds to the striking allure (Photo: Vijit Gupta)

Sleek and structured, this Sunaina Khera gown balances elegance with sharp design. The off-shoulder cut frames the neckline, while 3D floral appliqués add texture. A refined yet impactful evening look. (Photo: Vijit Gupta)

Addressing fashion’s dual power, Pooja likes to use it for her own good. She shares, “Either you express who you are through fashion, or you make yourself feel different with the clothes you wear. Like when you wear heels, it gives you a different posture and a different stance. The same goes for different kinds of outfits. I feel fashion is really empowering.”

This Reynu Taandon gown plays with light and movement. Metallic fabric catches the eye, while frilled details add fluidity. A modern take on occasion wear with a sharp, sophisticated edge. (Photo: Vijit Gupta)

The 34-year-old actor, who exudes class and elegance, and effortlessly balances bold glamour with an understated charm, is a self-proclaimed “tomboy”: “As for my style statement, I love oversized and comfortable fits. I like Tomboy Femme where it’s like a little tomboyish, but has a feminine touch at the same time.”

Having been an actor for over 12 years now, Pooja attributes her growth and sartorial sense to her work experiences and learnings through various characters. She says, “Over the years, my fashion sense has evolved and it has helped me find out who am I as a person. Obviously, there have been hits and misses and I have learnt from them, groomed myself and evolved over time.”

Dripping in drama, this Shantnu & Nikhil look is monochrome magic—sculpted draping, a cinched waist, and a thigh-high slit make it effortlessly bold and undeniably statement-making. (Photo: Vijit Gupta)

While she gets most of her looks right, there is one that she has been trying for a while. Sharing the one “miss”, she says, “One of the misses that I keep trying often is sleek hair. I need to know how to work it because it’s something that can go wrong. That’s one thing that I’m still trying to crack.”

Having been on a “wonderful roller coaster of a ride” in her career with hits such as Maharshi (2019), Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020), Most Eligible Bachelor (2021), and Beast (2022) among others, she admits that she has “a long way to go”.

Vaishali S’s Dew Mini Dress transforms texture into art. Intricate cording mimics rippling dew drops, creating a sculpted yet wearable silhouette. A statement piece that merges craftsmanship with effortless style. (Photo: Vijit Gupta)

Talking about how the characters she portrayed had different style statements and impacted her, Pooja says, “The character I played in Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018), I feel, dressed a lot like me. It felt like me and it was such an exploration of who I am. I also love blending and becoming another person. In my upcoming film Retro, with Suriya, my look is of a simple village girl in a sari. It’s de-glam and that’s empowering, too, as it makes you feel different.”

The actor has a spectacular line-up of two big-budgeted South and Hindi films coming up. Excited about her projects, she shares, “This year, I just want to do films that make me happy as an actor and explore challenging roles. I have taken up roles that I haven’t explored before in Hindi cinema or South. While choosing projects, I took a little step back. And I decided I’m going to work with filmmakers that excite me. I have tried to maintain a balance as well— there’s commercial, there’s masala, and there’s comedy, too. I have David Dhawan’s next with Varun Dhawan and at the same time, the film with Suriya, Retro, is so different. I have Jana Nayagan with Vijay, and there are two more announcements coming up. I’m working in three languages this year, so the audience will see different shades of me.”

Pooja Hegde commands attention in Moledro’s Reva Saree. Intricate detailing and a structured trail add depth to the look, while the rich fabric enhances its statement appeal. A bold take on contemporary Indian wear. (Photo: Vijit Gupta)

She adds, “This year, I want to do more Hindi films and try to balance them with the South. I hope my films kind of crossover and audiences see my films irrespective of the language.”