“Passion is timeless, and dreams have no boundaries—only those who dare to chase them truly shine.”
On this Women’s Day, we honor the remarkable journey of Poonam, a woman who embodies passion, perseverance, and the art of reinvention. From her early days in Marathi and Hindi television to making her mark on international platforms, she has turned every challenge into an opportunity.
Even after moving abroad, balancing family, career, and personal aspirations, Poonam remained deeply connected to her first love—acting. With resilience and determination, she has reignited her passion, proving that dreams have no expiration date.
Today, as she steps back into the spotlight, Poonam symbolizes strength, dedication, and the unwavering pursuit of one’s calling. Her story is an inspiration to every woman who dares to follow her dreams, reminding us that no matter where life takes us, our passion will always find its way back to us
Poonam is a Syndey based actor with a rich background in both Marathi and Hindi television shows. Over the years, she has worked with a variety of seasoned actors, continuously honing her craft. Poonam continued to stick with her passion for acting even after moving out of India in 2004.Most recently, Poonam took on the challenge of playing the main lead in Socially Suna Hai, where she portrayed a negative character, showcasing her incredible range and versatility as an actor.
She is currently exploring new acting opportunities.
I was born in Mumbai and spent my childhood in various parts of India. Acting had always fascinated me. One day, during my first year of Bcom, I randomly applied to a casting call for a small role in the series Abhalmaya. It was a friend of the main lead, just a one or two-scene part. I sent my photos and didn’t think much of it, continuing with my life.
Then, out of the blue, I got a call from the production house—they had shortlisted me and asked me to come in for an audition. I ended up getting the part. It was my first time acting, let alone being on camera.
“It was daunting but fascinating at the same time,” I still recall. That experience taught me that acting wasn’t easy—you have to memorize your lines, react, stay in character, all while so many people are watching you. For an 18-year-old, it was nerve-wracking but also a big deal.
When the episode aired, I told everyone I knew that I was going to be on TV! But little did I know, more opportunities were coming my way. A few days later, I got another call—this time, for an audition for the popular Marathi serial Damini. They had seen my performance in Abhalmaya and wanted me to audition for a more significant role in Damini.
From that point on, I started getting more and more opportunities. I was part of shows like Chaar Diwas Sasuche, Popat Zala Re, Samantar, Sambandh, Yeh Dil Kya Kare, Aflatoon, and Kirdaar. Each role helped me grow as an actor. I was fortunate to work with some incredible, seasoned actors. Initially, I was always nervous—being the youngest on the set and facing actors with decades of experience. But everyone I worked with helped me, and I slowly started improving.
One of my proudest moments was being nominated for the Maharashtra Times Awards in the best anchor category for Popat Zala Re.
However, in 2004, I decided to change the course of my life. I chose to get married and move to the US. People questioned why I was leaving my acting career behind and starting from scratch in a foreign country. Some even said I might regret it. But I’ve always believed that it was my decision, so I wouldn’t regret it.
Even though I left my acting career behind, my love for it remained. I joined local theater groups in San Francisco, and my husband, Ashish, who shares my passion for creativity, supported me every step of the way. I consider myself lucky to have a life partner who not only supports but enhances my passion.
In 2016, Ashish and I decided to take a leap and make an English feature film. Our movie Just One More Day, in which I acted, wrote the screenplay, and composed some of the songs, received several international awards. I even won awards for best screenplay and one of the songs featured in the film.
During this time, I also started working in IT, and between my job and family commitments, I still found ways to stay connected to acting. I began creating content on YouTube and Instagram, staying committed to my craft. Ashish and I also collaborated on several in-house projects—short stories, web series, and even a Marathi feature film—where I played a variety of characters.
It’s been 20 years since I left India and stepped away from my acting career. People often ask me if I wonder what might have happened had I stayed in India and continued acting. They say I would’ve been very popular by now. To that, I always reply, “Maybe, or maybe not. I’ll never know. But I do know that I made the most of the life I have. I stayed connected to my passion, and I still feel as confident and ready to face the camera today.”
Now, I’m ready to take the next step and gradually return to acting professionally.
Follow my journey and support my passion: https://www.instagram.com/starringpoonam
