Pooja Gandhi (born 7 October 1983 in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh) is an Indian actress, model, and politician who works predominantly in Kannada cinema. Though born in Meerut, she grew up in Bengaluru and built her entire career in the Kannada film industry. She made her screen debut in Mungaru Male (2006, dir. Rajendra Singh Babu), which became one of the biggest blockbusters in Karnataka film history and catapulted her to instant stardom. She went on to appear in over 50 Kannada films, including Dandupalya (2012) - where her performance as a real-life dacoit earned her widespread critical praise - and its sequel Dandupalya 2 (2017). Her other notable films include Nanna Preetiya Raamu (2007), Kalpana (2012), and Chingari (2012). She received an honorary doctorate and has been active in Karnataka politics, previously associated with Janata Dal (Secular), Badavara Shramikara Raitara Congress, and Karnataka Janata Paksha. She married Vijay Ghorpade in 2023. In October 2015, she entered Bigg Boss Kannada Season 3 as one of the original 15 contestants. She was evicted on Day 35 but made a dramatic re-entry on Day 40, ultimately competing for 91 total days across both stints. She finished as the Fourth Runner-Up on 31 January 2016.

Blockbuster debut in Kannada film Mungaru Male (2006) - one of Karnataka's all-time highest-grossing films; Dandupalya (2012) and Dandupalya 2 (2017); Filmfare Award South Best Actress nomination; honorary doctorate; Fourth Runner-Up of Bigg Boss Kannada Season 3.

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