Pooja Dadwal entered Bollywood at just 17, making her debut opposite Salman Khan in the 1995 film Veergati. What appeared to be the beginning of a promising acting career, however, did not lead to the opportunities she had expected. Years later, her life took a difficult turn when she was diagnosed with severe tuberculosis and serious lung problems.
Born and raised in Mumbai, Pooja had wanted to become an actor from a young age. Her big opportunity came when she was cast alongside Salman in Veergati. However, the film did not perform strongly at the box office, and Pooja struggled to find regular work afterwards.
She later appeared in television shows including Aashiqui and Gharana, but eventually decided to leave the entertainment industry. After getting married, she moved to Goa and began managing a casino with her husband.
Her life changed dramatically in 2018 when she was diagnosed with severe tuberculosis. Her health deteriorated rapidly, while the cost of treatment became difficult to manage. According to reports, she also found herself without support from her husband and in-laws.
Pooja eventually returned to Mumbai with little money and sought help. A well-wisher helped arrange her admission to a government hospital. As her medical expenses continued to rise, she turned to social media and appealed for assistance from people, including those she had known during her acting career.
Her plea eventually reached Salman Khan. The actor, who had worked with Pooja in Veergati, stepped in to support her treatment. Ravi Kishan also reportedly helped her. Salman covered her medical expenses for six months, allowing her to continue receiving treatment during a particularly difficult period.
Pooja later spoke about Salman’s support and said that she considered her recovery a second life.
Recovering from tuberculosis was only the beginning of another struggle for Pooja. She had to rebuild her life and find a way to earn. She moved into a small 10x10 room in a Mumbai chawl and worked as a domestic helper.
She made a brief return to acting in 2020 with the Punjabi film Shukarana: Guru Nanak Dev Ji Ka, but eventually chose to pursue a different path.
With help from director Rajendra Singh, Pooja started a tiffin service from her home. She began preparing meals and delivering them to customers as a means of earning a livelihood.
Today, Pooja’s life is far removed from the Bollywood career she once imagined as a teenager. From making her debut alongside Salman Khan to facing a serious illness and rebuilding her livelihood, her journey has taken several unexpected turns. She now focuses on running her tiffin service and supporting herself independently.
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