Pooja Bedi was born in Bombay, India, on 11th May 1970 to noted Indian
classic danseuse Protima Bedi aka Gauri,
and international film star Kabir Bedi. She
was brought up very unconventionally and literally allowed to have her
own way as a child. She abstained from cigarettes and alcohol until
later in life. She endured family tragedies when her 26-year-old
brother committed suicide in 1997, and her mother was killed on a holy
pilgrimage on the Himalayas in 1998. She is married, and mother of two:
Aalia (1997) and Omar (2000).
She starred in Bollywood movies from 1991 through to 1995, as well as
featured in a host of commercials and acclaimed campaigns such as tips
and toes, Frooti, and the controversial Kamasutra condom campaign. She
actively campaigns for HIV/AIDS awareness through celebrity
appearances, print and electronic media, music videos (BBC and Levi
Strauss sponsored) and fund raising events. Other causes she has
supported include breast cancer awareness, street children, the world
vision of India, and poverty housing with "Habitat for Humanity".
She returned to acting in films in
Ek Ajnabee (2005), only to find that
the scene had been deleted in the final cut. She was featured in a
reality show, "Jhalak Dikhlaja" on Sony TV 2006, and developed a love
for Latin American ballroom dance. She now performs shows all over the
world at events and award ceremonies. She is also a TV host for "Not
Just Page 3", and "Just Pooja" on Zoom Tv, as well as brand ambassador
of Allergan India, and Country Club India Limited.
As a stage actress, she took part in the box office hits "Carry on
Papa", "Wow what a girl", and a Bengali "Jatra".
She published her late mother's memoirs "Timepass" (Penguin Books,
India) which was on the national top 10 bestseller list. Her
opinionated thoughts on matters of social and national concern have
been published in regular columns and occasional articles in the Times
of India, Hindustan Times, Midday, L'officiel, Marie Claire, The Week,
etc.
