There was a point of time in Bollywood in the very late 80's or was it the very early 90's when Bollywood was overflooded with models turned aspiring actresses who would stand up or raise their hand even before you could whisper POO...JA.

Leading the brigade from the front were the stunning and rather hot n sizzling star daughters POOJA BEDI & POOJA BHATT followed by a lesser known POOJA DADWANI & the flavor of the season came with POOJA BATRA a former Miss India and an absolute ramp scorcher who set screens afire when she matched her talent with TABU & ANIL KAPOOR and came out with flying colors. Which in itself was no mean achievement and spoke columes for her confidence and talent..Not to mention her stunning Sex-Appeal which made this POO..JA so Hot & Happening!!!

Not many people would even be possibly aware that at one point of time when POOJA BATRA was a super-model and AKSHAY KUMAR was an upcoming Khiladi(oops)actor after going through RAVEENA TANDON and before linking into SHILPA SHETTY he had the hots for this leggy smasher and one thing led to another but it all fizzled out long before POOJA made her debut with VIRAASAT...But dare mention her as Akki's ex-flame and she could kill you with her icy stare and steel in her voice as she mutters dangerously.."Mr AKSHAY KUMAR was my past and not vice versa!!"

                                                 POOJA BATRA QUOTE MARTIAL

. "If a model is able to convey emotions in a 30 second commercial to make you buy soap bars, three hours is enough of time to sell a whole shop of that soap.!!!"

 "I had an identity before I met Mr Akshay Kumar. I was a former Miss India and I'm not his ex, he is my ex. If you must insist on knowing!!! "

"I considered fashion as more en vogue, more trendy. In college it's the in-thing to be a model, it is less trendy to be an actress…, "Now I disagree.!!!"

  "I must have been in 12 different schools in 12 years because of my father's job. This whole experience of uprooting has made me respect people from all walks of life. I can talk to anyone, from a beggar on the street to any big shot. The experience has made me totally hassle free, you won't find me cribbing if there is no air conditioner in my room, or if the bathroom is not clean. I can make friends very easily.!!!!"

 "I have a very secure family base, my mother Neelam Batra was a participant in Miss India-1971. It was the year Vani Ganapathy (Kamal Hasan's first wife) won. My mother came in the first five. It was my mother who filled my form too. At that time I was in FergussonCollege in Pune. It's a great kick to be participating in Miss India when you are in college.!!!" 

BY: THE LIP