Pooja Hegde reveals why she took a break from Bollywood after ‘heartbreaking’ failure of Mohenjo Daro

Pooja Hegde, whose debut Hindi film Mohenjo Daro failed at the box office, said that she took a conscious break from Bollywood as she wanted to return with a ‘sturdy second movie’.

Pooja Hegde got a dream launch in Bollywood, with Ashutosh Gowariker’s period drama Mohenjo Daro, in which she was cast opposite Hrithik Roshan. Unfortunately, the film tanked at the box office. She said in a new interview that its failure was ‘heartbreaking’ for her.

Pooja Hegde will be seen next in Rohit Shetty’s Cirkus.

After Mohenjo Daro, Pooja focussed on her projects down south, before returning to Hindi films with Housefull 4 last year. She said that she consciously took a break from Bollywood as she wanted her second film to be ‘sturdy’.

Talking to Mid-Day, Pooja said, “An actor’s first film is their showreel to the world. I was under contract, so I hadn’t signed another film during the period. Its failure was heartbreaking. Eventually, South films came along, and work attracted more work. I held off signing Hindi films because I needed a sturdy second movie. I built on the success of Housefull 4, and here I am!”

Cirkus is Rohit’s take on the classic Shakespearean play, The Comedy of Errors. The film is set to go on floors next month and will be shot in Mumbai, Ooty, and Goa. Presented by T-Series in association with Reliance Entertainment and co-produced by Rohit, it is slated to release by the end of 2021.

Pooja also has the Telugu period romance Radhe Shyam in her kitty. She has been cast opposite Prabhas in the film and will be seen playing a music teacher. He, meanwhile, will essay the role of a palm reader. Earlier this month, on her birthday, the makers released her character poster.

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