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Struggles of a Former Bollywood Star: Pooja Dadwal's Journey from Fame to Hardship
Gyanhigyan english | May 5, 2026 5:40 PM CST


The Hidden Struggles Behind Bollywood's Glamour

The Bollywood industry is often seen as a glittering world, yet many crucial aspects, such as the personal lives, emotions, and mental well-being of artists, tend to get overlooked. While everything may appear perfect from the outside, numerous individuals grapple with loneliness, pressure, and insecurity. Today, we shed light on an actress who made her debut alongside Salman Khan at the tender age of 16.


A Promising Start and Sudden Disappearance

When she entered the industry, she was filled with hope and ambition. However, fate had different plans, and just as quickly as she appeared in films, she vanished from the scene. This actress is none other than Pooja Dadwal, who starred alongside Salman Khan in 'Veergati.' Years later, a video surfaced showing her struggling to make ends meet.


Reflecting on Early Days

In an interview with a media outlet, Pooja reminisced about her early days, recalling how she landed her first significant role shortly after starting acting classes. For a teenager, this was nothing short of a dream come true. Working in a film associated with Salman Khan and stepping into a world filled with expectations marked the happiest phase of her life.


Transition to Television and Unexpected Challenges

Before fully establishing herself in films, Pooja shifted her focus to television, participating in various projects. Her last notable role was in the 2001 show 'Gharana' on Zee TV, which featured actors like Aman Verma and Sucheta Khanna. It seemed her career was on the right track until life took an unexpected turn.


Support During Tough Times

During this period, Pooja met Rajendra Singh, who stood by her side when everything began to crumble. However, as her professional life started to stabilize, her health began to deteriorate. What followed was not just a medical issue but a deeply personal and challenging phase in her life. She once shared with a media outlet, 'People dream big, only to be thrown out like pests when they face health issues.'


Abandonment by Family During Illness

With no acting opportunities, Pooja took a job at a casino in Goa. Unfortunately, her health worsened, leading to severe lung damage. She recalls moments of vomiting blood, losing her appetite, and becoming increasingly frail. Just when she needed support the most, her family abandoned her. Rajendra stepped in, bringing her to Mumbai and ensuring she received proper medical care, standing by her during her darkest times. It was during treatment that she was diagnosed with tuberculosis.


Reaching Out for Help

In 2018, Pooja recorded a video addressing Salman Khan, not asking for money but seeking assistance for her medical treatment. The video went viral, prompting the 'Being Human' foundation to cover her medical expenses and aid in her recovery. Reflecting on that time, she told a media outlet that while lying in the hospital ward, she nearly lost hope as she witnessed others suffering from the same illness, dying alone and helpless. Yet, something within her refused to give up, and she continued to fight for her life.


Current Life of Pooja Dadwal

Today, Pooja Dadwal resides in a small 10×10 room and manages her household expenses by running a tiffin service. She saves a few hundred rupees daily to buy groceries.



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