Pooja Mohanraj stands as one of Kerala’s most versatile film and theatre actresses, known for her powerful performances and extensive background in classical and contemporary theatre. She has captivated audiences through compelling roles in critically acclaimed Malayalam films and has earned recognition for her artistic dedication and professional excellence. From her theatrical beginnings at age 10 to her film debut in 2019 and subsequent appearances in celebrated productions, Pooja Mohanraj has consistently demonstrated exceptional talent throughout her multifaceted career in Indian cinema and performing arts.
Pooja Mohanraj is a 32-year-old Indian actress and theatre artist with a strong background in both performing arts and cinema. Born in Pondicherry on October 4, 1992, she has successfully established herself as a respected actress in the Malayalam film industry. She is best known for her roles in critically acclaimed films including Manjummel Boys, Aavesham, Sookshmadarshini, Iratta, and Romancham, among others.
Quick Facts About Pooja Mohanraj
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pooja Mohanraj |
| Date of Birth | October 4, 1992 |
| Age | 32 years old |
| Birthplace | Pondicherry, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Film and Theatre Actress, Performance Artist, Theatre Educator |
| Height | 5’7″ (1.70 m) |
| Father | K. Mohanraj (Mechanical Engineer) |
| Mother | Usha Mohanraj |
| Sibling | One sister, Kavitha Nambiar (settled in Kent, UK) |
| Famous For | Roles in Manjummel Boys, Aavesham, Sookshmadarshini, and other Malayalam films |
Pooja Mohanraj Early Life and Education
Pooja Mohanraj was born in Pondicherry, India, to Usha Mohanraj and K. Mohanraj, a mechanical engineer. She spent her early childhood in Pondicherry and Muscat before her family relocated to Kerala, where she spent her formative years. Her introduction to theatre began at a remarkably early age when her mother enrolled her in children’s theatre classes conducted by Professor Chandradasan’s celebrated theatre group, Lokadharmi, at just 10 years old.
Education History
| Year(s) | Institution | Degree/Program | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early years | School, Pondicherry | Primary Education | Pondicherry | Initial schooling |
| Continuation | School, Muscat | Intermediate Education | Muscat | Part of childhood schooling |
| High School | Bhavan’s Adarsha Vidyalaya | Secondary Education | Ernakulam, Kerala | Final school years |
| 2010-2014 | Lady Shri Ram College for Women | Bachelor of Arts in Economics (Honours) | Delhi University | Undergraduate degree |
| 2015-2017 | Intercultural Theatre Institute (ITI) | Professional Diploma in Intercultural Theatre (Acting) | Singapore | Three-year full-time program; training in Eastern traditional forms and contemporary Western techniques |
| Post-ITI | School of Drama and Fine Arts | Master of Arts in Theatre Arts | University of Calicut, Thrissur, Kerala | Postgraduate degree |
Pooja’s early theatre training under Professor Chandradasan proved transformative, setting the foundation for her diverse skill set. Her education brought her into contact with renowned theatre practitioners including G. Venu, David Zinder, and Chandradasan, who mentored her development. She also participated in workshops conducted by internationally acclaimed directors Richard Schechner and Alex Pinder, enriching her understanding of theatre forms and performance techniques.
Pooja Mohanraj Personal Life and Family
Pooja Mohanraj comes from a well-educated family with strong artistic inclinations. Her father, K. Mohanraj, is a mechanical engineer, while her mother, Usha Mohanraj, took an active role in nurturing her early interest in theatre. She is the younger of two daughters, with her sister Kavitha Nambiar currently residing in Bexleyheath, Kent, United Kingdom, with her husband Nitin Radhakrishnan and their two sons.
| Family Member | Relationship | Details |
|---|---|---|
| K. Mohanraj | Father | Mechanical Engineer |
| Usha Mohanraj | Mother | Nurtured Pooja’s early artistic interests and theatre enrollment |
| Kavitha Nambiar | Sister | Married to Nitin Radhakrishnan; two sons; settled in Kent, UK |
Pooja maintains close connections with her extended family while balancing her professional commitments in the entertainment industry. Her upbringing in multiple cultural settings—Pondicherry, Muscat, and Kerala—has contributed to her worldly perspective and cultural sensitivity, qualities frequently reflected in her artistic performances.
Pooja Mohanraj Career and Achievements
Theatre Career Foundation
Pooja’s professional journey began on stage at age 10 and developed into a comprehensive theatre career spanning decades. She performed extensively at prestigious Indian and international festivals, working with acclaimed directors and contributing significantly to Kerala’s vibrant theatre community. Her major theatre productions include notable works such as Egle and Cleopatra (a solo play), When We Dead Awaken, Balcony, and Andorra, among others.
She received the prestigious Scholarship of Young Artistes from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, recognizing her exceptional contributions to theatre arts. Her solo theatre piece “Straitjacket” received particular acclaim, being performed at the Singapore Writers’ Festival in 2018. Her theatre productions were staged at prestigious festivals including Bharat Rang Mahotsav, International Theatre Festival of Kerala, Ekaharya Theatre Festival, META Festival, the Old World Theatre Festival, and Surya Festival.
Beyond performing, Pooja took active roles in organizing multiple editions of the International Theatre Festival of Kerala in various capacities, demonstrating her commitment to the broader arts ecosystem. She also developed and now runs a virtual training module called “Attune,” designed for both actors and non-actors interested in enhancing their performance skills through digital platforms.
Film Career
Pooja transitioned to film acting in 2019, maintaining her commitment to artistic excellence while expanding her reach to cinema audiences. Her film debut marked the beginning of a steadily growing presence in Malayalam cinema, where she has successfully taken on diverse roles ranging from supporting characters to more substantial parts.
Complete Filmography
| Year | Film Title | Role/Character | Director | Genre | Platform/Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | One | Primary Role | Not specified | Drama | Film Debut |
| 2021 | Cold Case | Supporting Role | Not specified | Horror/Crime | Amazon Prime Video |
| 2022 | Freedom Fight (സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യ സമരം) | Sajna (Asangadithar) | Not specified | Drama | Sony LIV |
| 2022 | Kraya Vikraya Prakriya: People in Transaction | Mahitha Mahesh | Not specified | TV Series | Web Series |
| 2023 | Ayak | Shikuvva | Abdul Latheef Haseeb | Short Film | August 17, 2022 release |
| 2023 | Romancham | Maala Chechi | Jithu Madhavan | Comedy | Disney+ Hotstar |
| 2023 | Iratta | WCPO Amrutha | Rohit M.G. Krishnan | Crime Drama | Netflix |
| 2023 | Purusha Pretham | Home Nurse | Krishand | Comedy | Airtel Xstream |
| 2023 | Neelavelicham | Suma | Aashiq Abu | Drama | April 20, 2023 release |
| 2023 | Kaathal – The Core | Kuttayi’s Mother | Not specified | Drama | 2023 release |
| 2023 | Master Peace | Supporting Role | Not specified | Comedy | 2023 release |
| 2024 | Gangs of Sukumarakurup | Supporting Role | Not specified | Crime Drama | 2024 release |
| 2024 | Karu | Radhika | Not specified | Drama | 2024 release |
| 2024 | Aavesham | Beauty | Not specified | Comedy | Prime Video; IMDB Rating 7.8 |
| 2024 | Sookshmadarshini | Asma | M.C. Jithin | Mystery Comedy Thriller | Disney+ Hotstar; Superhit; ₹55 crore worldwide gross |
| 2024 | Manjummel Boys | Studio Girl | Chidambaram | Adventure/Drama/Thriller | Highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time; IMDB Rating 8.2 |
| 2025 | Padakkalam | Shobha | Not specified | Comedy | JioHotstar; IMDB Rating 7.2 |
| 2025 | Marana Mass | Yakshi | Sivaprasad | Comedy | SonyLiv; IMDB Rating 8.0 |
| 2025 | Oru Jaathi Jaathakam | Latha | Not specified | Comedy | 2025 release; IMDB Rating 5.8 |
Theatre Background and Training
Pooja’s theatrical journey has been marked by collaboration with internationally recognized directors and participation in significant cultural events. She trained with renowned theatre practitioners and has performed in collaborations including The Bowl Project with multidisciplinary artists from Korea and The Eleven Project with French artists. Her directorial debut for theatre came through “Sorry Dad but I Have To,” created for the Collegiate Theatre Festival for New German Writing organized by Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller in New Delhi.
Throughout her theatre career, she facilitated numerous theatre-in-education programs for schools and colleges throughout Kerala, sharing her expertise with younger generations of performers and artists.
Notable Roles and Recognition
While Pooja Mohanraj has appeared in numerous films, several performances stand out for their critical acclaim and audience reception. Her role in Sookshmadarshini (2024), a mystery comedy thriller, contributed to the film’s massive commercial success and positive critical reception. The film, starring Nazriya Nazim and Basil Joseph, earned ₹55 crore worldwide and was praised by critics for its script, humor, and performances.
Her involvement in Manjummel Boys (2024), the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time, represented a significant project. Though her role was supporting, the film’s critical and commercial success helped establish her presence in major productions. Her performances in acclaimed films like Iratta (Netflix, 2023), Romancham (2023), and Aavesham (2024) have consistently demonstrated her range and commitment to quality cinema.
Pooja Mohanraj Professional Roles Beyond Acting
Beyond acting, Pooja Mohanraj operates as a multidimensional arts professional. She works as a theatre educator, trainer, curator, performance maker, and arts manager. She developed and continues to manage “Attune,” a comprehensive training module specifically adapted for virtual spaces, offering instruction to both professional actors and non-actors interested in performance arts.
She has contributed substantially to organizing multiple editions of the International Theatre Festival of Kerala in various organizational capacities, demonstrating her commitment to the broader performing arts ecosystem. Her work as a facilitator for theatre-in-education programs extends arts education to school and college students throughout Kerala.
Additionally, Pooja founded Talir, a new arts and cultural organization through which she hopes to create original theatre projects, engage in collaborative artistic work, and utilize theatre as an instrument for social change and community engagement.
Pooja Mohanraj Online Presence and Social Links
Official Social Media and Web Profiles
| Platform | Username/Handle | Followers/Status | Link/URL | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| @poojamohanraj | 92K Followers | instagram.com/poojamohanraj | Official Account | |
| Twitter/X | @PoojaMohanraj | Active | twitter.com/poojamohanraj | Official Account |
| Pooja Mohanraj | Active | facebook.com/mohanraj.pooja | Official Account |
Professional Profiles and Databases
| Platform Type | Platform Name | Profile Status | Link/URL | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filmography | IMDb | Active/Complete | imdb.com/name/nm12234590 | Complete Filmography, Credits, Ratings |
| Filmography | Wikipedia | Active | en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pooja_Mohanraj | Biography, Filmography |
| Database | The Movie Database (TMDB) | Active | themoviedb.org/person/3423094 | Filmography, Film Ratings |
| Professional | Intercultural Theatre Institute Alumni | Active | iti.edu.sg/alumni | Theatre Training Profile, Alumni Status |
Pooja actively maintains her social media presence with regular updates about her professional work, artistic endeavors, and creative pursuits. Her Instagram account, with over 92,000 followers, reflects her diverse interests and professional commitments. On her Instagram bio, she describes herself as “A curious arts enthusiast unable to detach from it despite material miseries,” capturing her deep passion for artistic expression.
Lesser Known Facts About Pooja Mohanraj
Beyond her visible career achievements, several lesser-known facts reveal the depth of Pooja Mohanraj’s artistic and personal dimensions. Her theatre journey began remarkably early at age 10, marking a five-decade commitment to performing arts, demonstrating extraordinary dedication and passion for her craft from childhood.
Pooja’s theatrical training spans multiple continents and diverse performance philosophies. Her three-year professional diploma program at Intercultural Theatre Institute in Singapore exposed her to both Eastern traditional performance forms and contemporary Western techniques, giving her a uniquely global perspective on acting and theatre. This international exposure distinguishes her from many of her contemporaries in the Malayalam film industry and contributes to her nuanced approach to character development.
Her role in founding Talir, a new arts and cultural organization, demonstrates her vision extending beyond personal performance to using theatre as an instrument for social change. This entrepreneurial commitment to arts activism reveals her broader ideological commitment to utilizing performance as a vehicle for community development and social engagement.
Few realize that Pooja has worked across multiple capacities within the International Theatre Festival of Kerala, contributing not merely as a performer but also as an organizer and curator. This multi-faceted involvement in the festival’s operations shows her comprehensive understanding of theatre’s institutional and community dimensions beyond individual performance.
Her development of “Attune,” a virtual performance training module, positions her at the intersection of traditional theatre pedagogy and digital innovation. This response to contemporary circumstances shows her adaptability and commitment to making theatre education accessible through modern technological platforms.
Additionally, her theatrical work includes directing plays and engaging in collaborative international projects, including The Bowl Project with Korean multidisciplinary artists and The Eleven Project with French artists, reflecting her comfort with cross-cultural artistic collaboration and global artistic dialogue.
Unknown Facts About Pooja Mohanraj
Several verified but rarely discussed facts about Pooja Mohanraj reveal layers of her professional identity not commonly known to general audiences.
Her recipient status as a Scholarship of Young Artistes from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, represents significant national recognition of her theatre contributions. This government scholarship, granted to exceptional young theatre practitioners, underscores official recognition of her artistic merit and potential, though few in the general audience are aware of this distinguished honor.
Pooja’s theatrical solo performance piece “Straitjacket” gained international exposure through performance at the Singapore Writers’ Festival 2018. Though significant in theatre circles, this accomplishment remains largely unknown to film audiences who may only recognize her cinema work.
Her directorial debut for theatre, “Sorry Dad but I Have To,” created for the Collegiate Theatre Festival for New German Writing organized by Goethe-Institut/Max Mueller, New Delhi, represents early creative leadership in theatrical production. Few know of her work behind the scenes as a director and creative architect of theatrical productions.
Pooja began her theatre training under Professor Chandradasan’s renowned Lokadharmi theatre group at age 10, making her one of the youngest documented participants in this prestigious cultural organization. Her five-decade engagement with performing arts makes her one of the longest-serving artists in contemporary Kerala theatre.
She has collaborated with internationally acclaimed theatre directors and practitioners including G. Venu, David Zinder, and Chandradasan, and attended workshops by renowned theorists Richard Schechner and Alex Pinder. These training experiences with international theatre luminaries shaped her approach to performance but remain undiscussed in popular media coverage of her film career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pooja Mohanraj
What is Pooja Mohanraj’s age?
Pooja Mohanraj was born on October 4, 1992, making her 32 years old as of 2025.
What is Pooja Mohanraj’s birthplace?
She was born in Pondicherry, India, and spent her early childhood there before moving to Muscat and eventually settling in Kerala.
What is Pooja Mohanraj’s height?
Pooja Mohanraj stands at 5’7″ (1.70 meters) tall.
Is Pooja Mohanraj married?
There is no publicly available information indicating that Pooja Mohanraj is currently married or engaged.
What are Pooja Mohanraj’s most famous films?
She is best known for her roles in Manjummel Boys (2024), Sookshmadarshini (2024), Aavesham (2024), Iratta (2023), and Romancham (2023).
When did Pooja Mohanraj make her film debut?
Pooja made her Malayalam film debut in 2019 with the movie “One,” after an extensive career in theatre that began at age 10.
What is Pooja Mohanraj’s educational background?
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics (Honours) from Lady Shri Ram College for Women at Delhi University, a Professional Diploma in Intercultural Theatre (Acting) from Intercultural Theatre Institute in Singapore, and a Master of Arts degree in Theatre Arts from the School of Drama and Fine Arts at the University of Calicut.
Where does Pooja Mohanraj work primarily?
While she maintains active involvement in theatre through performance, teaching, and cultural programming, she has increasingly worked in Malayalam cinema since 2019. Her work spans multiple capacities including actress, theatre educator, arts manager, curator, and performance artist.
What training did Pooja Mohanraj receive in theatre?
She trained at the Intercultural Theatre Institute in Singapore for three years in a full-time professional program, studying both Eastern traditional performance forms and contemporary Western acting techniques. She also studied under renowned theatre directors including Professor Chandradasan, G. Venu, and David Zinder.
How many Instagram followers does Pooja Mohanraj have?
As of 2025, Pooja Mohanraj has over 92,000 followers on her Instagram account @poojamohanraj.
What is Pooja Mohanraj known for besides acting?
Beyond acting, Pooja Mohanraj is known for her extensive theatre work as a performer and educator, her role in organizing the International Theatre Festival of Kerala, her development of the virtual training module “Attune,” her theatre directing, and her recent founding of Talir, an arts and cultural organization focused on using theatre for social change.
Did Pooja Mohanraj receive any scholarships or awards?
Yes, she received the prestigious Scholarship of Young Artistes from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, recognizing her contributions to theatre arts.
What is Pooja Mohanraj’s family background?
She comes from an educated family. Her father, K. Mohanraj, is a mechanical engineer, and her mother, Usha Mohanraj, nurtured her early interest in theatre. She has one sister, Kavitha Nambiar, who is settled in Kent, United Kingdom, with her husband Nitin Radhakrishnan and their two sons.
