by Niken Paramita

Created on: October 14, 2009

Born on May 11, 1970, in Mumbai, Pooja Bedi got an unconventional upbringing from her parents, the late Indian classical danseuse Protima and international film star Kabir Bedi. She went to the acclaimed Lawrence School, Sanawar before setting her sights on Indian showbiz industry.

Bedi's first step in the limelight took place in 1991 with the leading role of Nisha Singh in Jagmohan Mundhra's movie Vishkanya. She continued it with supporting performances in Chitemma Mogudu (1992), Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee (1993), Lootere (1993), and Aatank Hi Aatank (1995).

However, Bedi's big break came after being named the brand ambassador of Kama Sutra condom, which despite the controversy raised afterwards, became an apt medium to promote AIDS awareness. The newborn star also showed up in various commercials and campaigns like Frooti drink, Allergan, Habitat for Humanity's Poverty housing cause commercial, Haath se Haath Milaa (HIV/AIDS awareness), and many others.

A versatile entertainer at heart, Bedi tried her hand on theater, appeared in music videos and variety shows, as well as hosted TV shows. At stage, she tried leading roles in such smash hit productions as Wow What a Girl, Carry on Papa, and Adalate Nirobh Sakshi (Bengali Jatra). The water-sports lover then got in-depth with TV viewers as the host of the award-winning talk-show Just Pooja.

As the clock ticks, Bedi evolves from eager art worker and TV personality to forceful, strong-minded Indian icon. She expresses her views on women, social, and national issues in her weblog as well as national publications like Times of India, Hindustan Times, and Marie Claire. Her strong opinion against Indian men's conservative treatment toward women is visible from this statement (taken from her blog poojabediblogs.blogspot.com):

Violence against women and girls which includes physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse is a violation of human rights. Women need to speak up and the system must support them. Abuse is not a woman's fault and she does not deserve to be abused.

Bedi's writing attempt earned public attention when in 2000 she launched the memoir of her late mother entitled Timepass. The book consists of Protima's diaries, letters written to Bedi, and other writings that Protima composed throughout her life. On Timepass, Bedi said to chennaiads.com, 'My mother was the most incredible human being I've ever known. While I am doing this work, I feel her pain, her grief and her happiness. I'm living her life.'

Following Timepass, Bedi reportedly wrote a whole different kind of work. She completed a how-to book about pregnancy and the first six months of baby care.

Unfortunately, the success of this resolute progressive icon does not go along very well with her romantic life. She married Farhan Ebrahim in 1995, but Bedi is now divorced with two children. Prior to her failed marriage, Bedi had had a relationship with Aditya Pancholi, but the knot quickly became untied after Bedi found out Pancholi's affair with her 15-year old maid.

Bedi is now linked to Hanif Hilal, who is also her partner in Latin American ballroom dancing. She lives happily in Mumbai, her hometown, with daughter Aaliya and son Omar.

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