Who is Pooja Chopra?

She is attractive, confident, has an infectious smile and a charming personality. In spite of all this, Pooja Chopra could not make it as a ‘Miss World’. However, this has not dampened the spirits of this ‘Miss India’ as she knew there would only be one winner for the ‘Miss World’ title.

“I may have innumerable reasons as to why I couldn’t make it, but the fact is I didn’t make it. Life is not in one’s control,” says Pooja Chopra, who was in the City recently for the ‘Fashion Week’. But she did bring home the title of ‘Beauty with a purpose’ award and received $10,000 for the ‘Nanhi Kali’ project. One also saw her cry on television then. “That week was really bad for me as I had injured myself. People were against my taking part as it was a serious fracture. I broke down on stage because there was so much inside me, which unfortunately came out on stage. I feel silly now! Gosh...billions saw me sob,” she adds.

Walking the ramp and winning beauty pageants were never a part of Pooja’s dream. In fact as a child, she always wanted to grow up to be an IAS officer.

A tomboy to the core and an active participant in sports, Pooja Chopra gradually started being in tune with her feminine side. “People would come and compliment me. Slowly, I started getting offers for modelling. I applied for Miss India and got through, the rest is history,” explains Pooja Chopra.

The entire experience of ‘Miss World’, she explains, was nothing less than a long holiday. She cherished meeting new people and learning about different cultures. “The other girls were also curious about India. They constantly asked me about Taj Mahal and Aishwarya Rai,” she laughs.

With all her predecessors having made a foray into Bollywood, Pooja Chopra, too hopes to get there someday. Her favourite heroes are Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan. However, before that she has other plans on her mind. “I don’t want to be just another ‘Miss India’. I want to leave my mark by doing a lot of social work in orphanages and with the NGOs. Till then movies can wait,” she signs off.