Pooja Batra

Pooja Batra Shah (born 27 October 1975) is an Indian-American actress and model who primarily works in Hindi films. She won the runner-up title at the Femina Miss India contest in 1993 and was crowned Femina Miss India International 1993 and represented India at Miss International 1993. Early life and background Batra was born on 27 October 1975 to Ravi Batra, a colonel in the Indian Army, and Neelam Batra, a Miss India (1971) participant. She has two brothers. She is related to Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, a martyr decorated with India's highest military honour, the Param Vir Chakra. Batra lived in Ludhiana with her extended family while she was young. While in school, she was an athlete and competed in the 200 and 400-meter dash. She graduated in Economics from Fergusson College, Pune and holds an MBA in marketing from Symbiosis, Pune. She participated at the Miss International beauty pageant in 1993. Career At a young age, she started modelling as a part-time job. She was best known for her Liril soap commercial. She was the first Indian face to launch and be a spokesperson for Head and Shoulders in India. She has participated in over 250 modeling events and ad campaigns. She shot to fame when she was crowned Miss India International in 1993. She went on to become one of the top models in India. She walked the ramp for over 250 fashion shows in India and overseas. She is an ambassador for Parag Sarees.