In the dazzling yet ruthless world of Bollywood, many performers grapple with the enormity of ambition and the fickleness of fame. Amongst these poignant tales of struggle, some emerge victorious, while others falter, their dreams dissipated in the harsh reality of show business. The tale we recount today is one such saga of fleeting fame and enduring fortitude. In the spotlight once more is the actress Pooja Dadwal, remembered by some for her role opposite Salman Khan in the 1995 film ‘Veergati’, a project that failed to ignite her career to the heights many would have anticipated.
As the glitter of her debut faded, so too did the robust opportunities once seemingly on the horizon. Pooja Dadwal continued her pursuit of acting by shifting to television, taking roles in series like ‘Aashiqui’ in 1999 and ‘Gharana’ in 2001. However, the cutthroat competition and scarcity of impactful roles made success an elusive phantom. Eventually, choosing the stability of marital life over the oscillation of the silver screen, Dadwal settled down and moved to Goa, assisting her husband in managing his casino.
Destiny, however, penned a challenging chapter for Pooja Dadwal. She found her world upturned in 2018 upon being diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB), a serious infectious disease. In a distressing turn, when her family learned of her affliction, not only did they sever ties with her, but they also absolved themselves of any responsibility toward her well-being, leaving her adrift without support or financial resources.
Embattled with illness and solitude, it was a well-wisher by the name of Rajendra Singh who became her beacon of hope. Singh ensured her admission into a government hospital, thus igniting a new round of media attention after a prolonged absence from the public eye. With medical bills accumulating and despair lurking, Pooja reached out to the fraternity that had once embraced her, requesting aid through a video message on YouTube, aimed at her former co-star, Salman Khan. In a gesture that garnered widespread commendation, Khan sponsored the entirety of her medical expenses for six months, solidifying a narrative of communal support within an industry often criticized for its apathy.
Upon her convalescence, the actress faced the stark reality of reinventing her life. She found residence in a chawl—a sort of tenement housing typical in Mumbai—and yearned for a return to her erstwhile craft. She attempted a cinematic comeback in 2020 with the Punjabi film ‘Shukrana: Guru Nanak Dev Ji’, but success continued to elude her.
Reconciliation with her circumstances led Dadwal down an unexpected entrepreneurial path. Under the counsel of her friend and director, Rajendra Singh, she initiated a tiffin service, a common enterprise in Mumbai wherein home-cooked meals are delivered to working individuals. Pooja Dadwal, who once graced the big screen and shared the spotlight with stardom, now finds solace in serving others, demonstrating grit and grace away from the arc lights.
Pooja Dadwal’s life arc epitomizes the mercurial nature of the film industry—a place where one day you’re basking in the adulation of millions, and the next, searching for the next chapter in a chawl. Yet, in her quiet resilience, Pooja embodies the spirit of many artists who find themselves navigating the unforgiving avenues of Bollywood, seeking reinvention in the face of profound professional and personal upheaval, and finding new ways to shine, away from the yesteryear’s cinematic glow.
