When you think about talented actresses who’ve quietly made their mark in Tamil and Kannada cinema, Pooja Devariya’s name deserves to be at the top of that list. She’s not your typical Bollywood starlet who got famous overnight. Instead, she took the scenic route through theatre, building her craft one stage performance at a time before returning to films with a bang.
What makes her story interesting isn’t just her acting chops (though those are impressive). It’s how she’s juggled multiple roles – actress, theatre artist, performance coach, and even a mental health advocate. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about this multi-talented powerhouse.
Quick Facts About Pooja Devariya
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pooja Devariya |
| Also Known As | Pooja Balu |
| Date of Birth | July 29, 1991 |
| Age | 35 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 58 kg (128 lbs) |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Profession | Actress, Theatre Artist, Performance Coach |
| Primary Industries | Tamil Cinema, Kannada Cinema, Theatre |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Christy Sebastian (married June 12, 2024) |
Early Life and Background
Born on July 29, 1991, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, Pooja grew up in Chennai within an inter-cultural household – her mother is Kannadiga and her father is Tamil. This diverse cultural background shaped her early identity and experiences.
Family Details
| Family Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Father’s Name | Balu Namasivayam |
| Mother’s Name | Pushpa Devariya |
| Siblings | Information not publicly available |
| Cultural Background | Mixed (Kannadiga mother, Tamil father) |
Growing up between two cultures wasn’t always easy. She faced bullying related to her mixed cultural identity during her childhood, which later influenced her advocacy work around mental health and anti-bullying initiatives.
Education and Training
Pooja’s artistic journey started way before she stepped in front of a camera. Here’s her educational background:
| Education Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Early Education | Abacus Montessori School, Chennai |
| High School | St. Michael’s Academy, Adyar, Chennai |
| Theatre Training | Stray Factory (joined 2010) |
| Dance Training | Jazz and Ballet at Jeffery Vardon’s Hotshoe Dance Academy |
| Martial Arts | Silambattam under Pandian Master |
What’s fascinating is how early she showed interest in the arts. From a young age, she actively participated in extracurricular activities like dance, theatre, and painting, often being the first to enroll in these programs at her school.
She wasn’t just dabbling either. As a child, she would observe actors and practice performances in front of a mirror. That’s dedication you don’t see in every kid who says they want to be an actor.
Physical Appearance
Let’s break down Pooja’s physical stats in a clear format:
| Physical Attribute | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) |
| Weight | 58 kg (128 lbs) |
| Body Measurements | 33-23-34 inches |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Build | Athletic/Fit |
She maintains her fitness through her background in dance and martial arts, which also helps in her physically demanding theatre and film roles.
Career Journey: From Theatre to Silver Screen
Theatre Beginnings (2010-2015)
In 2010, Pooja joined the theatre group Stray Factory and worked extensively on stage performances and online videos with the company. This wasn’t a brief stint – she spent five crucial years honing her craft on stage.
Her theatre highlights include:
| Year | Production | Role/Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | The Three Musketeers | Played Zorro |
| 2013 | Maya from Madurai | Made directorial debut |
| 2010-2016 | Various Productions | Principal actor and director at Stray Factory |
The theatre experience gave her something many film actors lack – a deep understanding of character building and the ability to carry a performance without relying on camera tricks or multiple takes.
Film Debut and Breakthrough
Pooja made her acting debut in Selvaraghavan’s Mayakkam Enna (2011), portraying Padmini, a friend in Dhanush’s gang. It was a small role, but it got her foot in the door of Tamil cinema.
Here’s how her film career unfolded:
| Year | Film | Language | Role/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Mayakkam Enna | Tamil | Debut film as Padmini |
| 2016 | Iraivi | Tamil | Role as Malar |
| 2016 | Kuttrame Thandanai | Tamil | Played Anu (visually impaired character) |
| 2016 | Aandavan Kattalai | Tamil | Supporting role |
| 2018 | Katheyondu Shuruvagide | Kannada | Debut in Kannada cinema as Tanya |
| 2018 | Andhra Mess | Tamil | Supporting role |
| 2019 | Ayogya | Tamil | Played Anjana |
| 2019 | Vellai Pookal | Tamil | Supporting role |
| 2023 | Vallavanukku Vallavan | Tamil | Recent work |
| 2023 | Jawan | Hindi | Additional crew (performance coach) |
The Game-Changer: Iraivi and Kuttrame Thandanai
2016 was Pooja’s breakout year. She appeared in multiple critically acclaimed films that showcased her range as an actress.
In Karthik Subbaraj’s Iraivi, she gained critical acclaim for her nuanced performance. She portrayed Malar, a complex wife navigating marital discord.
In Kuttrame Thandanai, directed by Manikandan, she played Anu, a visually impaired woman entangled in a psychological thriller. Playing a character with a disability requires immense sensitivity and skill – Pooja nailed it.
Awards and Recognition
Her performances didn’t go unnoticed. Here’s a table of her major awards:
| Year | Award | Category | Film |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Edison Award | Best Character Artist – Female | Iraivi |
| 2017 | Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award | Best Character Artist (Female) | Kuttrame Thandanai |
| 2017 | Norway Tamil Film Festival | Best Supporting Actress | Kuttrame Thandanai |
| 2017 | Behindwoods Gold Medals | Best Actress – Critics’ Choice | Multiple films (Iraivi, Kuttrame Thandanai, Aandavan Kattalai) |
What’s impressive about these awards is that they came from different bodies – film critics, audience votes, and international festivals. That’s a sign of genuine talent, not just industry favoritism.
Performance Coaching: The Other Side of Cinema
While most people know Pooja as an actress, she’s also made significant contributions as a performance coach. In 2020, she founded Scout & Guide Media with her partner Sumanth Shetty – an actors’ studio and production house.
Her coaching work includes:
| Project | Role | Actor Coached | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vikram (2022) | Performance Coach | Vijay Sethupathi | Focused on body language |
| Navarasa (2021) | Performance Coach | Various actors | Netflix anthology series |
| Merry Christmas (2024) | Performance Coach | Vijay Sethupathi | Sriram Raghavan film |
| Gandhi Talks | Performance Coach | Vijay Sethupathi | Upcoming silent film |
Her association with Vijay Sethupathi has been long-standing, and she serves as his performance coach with particular emphasis on body language and character immersion.
This dual role as actor and coach shows her deep understanding of the craft. She’s not just performing – she’s teaching others how to elevate their performances too.
Personal Life and Relationships
Marriage and Current Status
Pooja Devariya has been married to Christy Sebastian since June 12, 2024. Christy Sebastian is a prominent film editor in the Malayalam cinema industry.
| Relationship Status | Details |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse Name | Christy Sebastian |
| Wedding Date | June 12, 2024 |
| Spouse’s Profession | Film Editor (Malayalam cinema) |
| Children | None (as of late 2024) |
| Wedding Type | Private ceremony |
The wedding was a private ceremony, with limited public details available about the event or their relationship prior to marriage.
Previous Relationships
Before her marriage, there isn’t much public information about Pooja’s dating history. She’s maintained privacy around her personal life, which is refreshing in an age where celebrities often live their relationships on social media.
Mental Health Advocacy and Social Work
Here’s where Pooja really stands out from the crowd. She’s not just an actress who occasionally posts about social causes – she’s actively involved in mental health advocacy and anti-bullying work.
Advocacy Work
| Initiative | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Bullying Handbook | 2018 | Authored “Understanding the Masks of Humans, Through the Face of an Actor” |
| US Consulate Collaboration | 2018 | Workshop addressing teenage issues and bullying |
| Mental Health Advocacy | Ongoing | Encourages seeking professional help for mental health issues |
| Women’s Empowerment | Ongoing | Conducts workshops on safety and empowerment |
She authored a handbook on bullying and teenage issues titled “Understanding the Masks of Humans, Through the Face of an Actor,” inspired by her own experiences and collaborations with NGOs.
She encourages seeking professional help for issues like identity crises and emotional well-being, drawing from her own experiences in the entertainment industry to promote open discussions.
This work is particularly meaningful given her own experiences with bullying during childhood. She’s turned her pain into purpose, helping others navigate similar challenges.
Net Worth and Income
Let’s talk numbers. While exact figures are hard to verify (celebrities rarely open their bank statements to the public), here’s what’s been reported:
| Financial Category | Estimated Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Net Worth | $0.8 million to $5 million |
| Primary Income Source | Acting |
| Secondary Income | Performance coaching, Theatre productions |
| Business Ventures | Scout & Guide Media (Co-founder) |
The wide range in estimates reflects the difficulty in calculating net worth for Indian film industry professionals, whose income comes from multiple sources and isn’t always publicly disclosed.
Interesting Facts and Trivia
Here are some lesser-known facts about Pooja that make her even more interesting:
- Multi-talented Dancer: She’s trained in both jazz and ballet, not just traditional Indian dance forms.
- Martial Arts Expert: She learned silambattam, a traditional Tamil martial art, which has helped in action sequences.
- Stage Name: While she goes by Pooja Devariya professionally, she also uses the patronymic Pooja Balu.
- Theatre First: Unlike most Indian film actors who start in films and maybe try theatre later, she did it the other way around.
- Nickname: She’s affectionately called “Rascal Papa” by close friends and colleagues.
- Performance Perfectionist: She’s known for her meticulous approach to character preparation, often spending weeks understanding a character’s psychology before filming.
- Cover Girl: She appeared on the cover of India Today magazine alongside actor Naren Weiss multiple times.
Career Highlights and Impact
Why She Matters in Indian Cinema
Pooja represents a new breed of Indian actresses who aren’t just pretty faces on screen. Here’s what makes her significant:
Versatility: She’s comfortable in indie films, mainstream cinema, and everything in between.
Craft Over Glamour: Her focus has always been on performance quality rather than becoming a commercial superstar.
Theatre Roots: Her strong foundation in theatre brings depth to her film performances that many contemporary actors lack.
Behind-the-Scenes Contribution: As a performance coach, she’s elevating the quality of Indian cinema from behind the camera too.
Social Responsibility: Her advocacy work shows she understands her platform and uses it for positive change.
Current Projects and Future Plans
As of late 2026, Pooja continues to work on:
- Acting projects in Tamil and Kannada cinema
- Performance coaching for major film projects
- Running Scout & Guide Media
- Mental health advocacy initiatives
While specific upcoming films haven’t been publicly announced, her track record suggests she’ll continue choosing roles that challenge her as an actress rather than opting for easy commercial success.
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Engagement Level |
|---|---|
| Active | |
| Regular updates | |
| Present |
She uses her social media primarily to share work updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses of film projects, and occasionally advocate for causes she believes in. She’s not the type to post every meal or vacation photo – her feed is curated and professional.
What We Can Learn from Pooja Devariya
Pooja’s career offers several lessons for aspiring actors and anyone pursuing creative careers:
Patience Pays Off: She spent five years in theatre before making it big in films. Overnight success is rare; lasting success takes time.
Skill Development Matters: Her diverse training in dance, martial arts, and theatre all contribute to making her a better actress.
Multiple Revenue Streams: By diversifying into coaching and production, she’s built a sustainable career that doesn’t depend solely on landing the next film role.
Use Your Platform: Her advocacy work shows that success comes with responsibility to contribute to society.
Stay True to Your Art: Despite being in an industry obsessed with commercial success, she’s consistently chosen meaningful roles over blockbuster potboilers.
Conclusion
Pooja Devariya might not be a household name like some of Bollywood’s biggest stars, but within Tamil and Kannada cinema circles, she’s earned massive respect. At 33, she’s accomplished what many actors twice her age haven’t – critical acclaim, multiple awards, a successful coaching career, and meaningful social impact.
Her journey from a theatre enthusiast to an award-winning actress and performance coach is inspiring. She’s proven that talent, dedication, and staying true to your craft matter more than taking shortcuts to fame.
Whether you’re a fan of Tamil cinema, interested in theatre, or just appreciate good acting, Pooja Devariya is definitely someone worth following. Her story is still being written, and if her past is any indication, the best chapters are yet to come.
Disclaimer: All information presented in this article has been compiled from publicly available sources including Wikipedia, IMDb, and various entertainment news outlets. Personal details like height, weight, and net worth are estimates based on reported figures and may not be 100% accurate. This article is for informational purposes only.
