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Pooja Bedi has spoken openly about her life in films, her personal experiences, and the lessons she has learned over the years. The actor-model, who began her career at a young age after her debut in Vishkanya, opened up on both professional highs and personal turning points.

Pooja Bedi's early career and public image

In a recent conversation on Jos Alukkas YouTube Channel with Suhasini Maniratnam , she revisited her upbringing and the values passed on by her mother. “My mother always taught me that whatever you do, you give it your 100 per cent or you don't do it at all. Whatever you do, be in the pursuit of excellence. I was in films and I wasn't a very good actress, to be honest. I was very good at being sexy. I was 100 per cent good at being sexy. I used to be voted the sex symbol of India.”

She also spoke about how her image shaped public perception during her early years in cinema, “So I used to distract people by showing my cleavage so nobody would look up because they were too busy looking down.” Pooja entered the entertainment industry as a model in her teenage years before transitioning into films. She quickly became a familiar face in the early 1990s, gaining attention for her screen presence and public persona.

While she achieved recognition, she admitted that acting was not her strongest skill, even though she remained highly visible in the industry during that phase.

Pooja Bedi's marriage and family life

She also reflected on her marriage to Farhan Furniturewala and the bond they built over the years, especially as co-parents. "Marriage is an experience; it's a journey. I thank him for my two beautiful children. I don't know how life would have been without them. I love them. My marriage gave me a best friend because my ex-husband, till today, is my best friend, and my children, they are my love, my life,” she said.

She added that although there were mistakes along the way, she does not regret choosing marriage.

Decision to separate

Pooja spoke about her choice to part ways when her children were still young, calling it a necessary step for her well-being.

“I am thankful and grateful for the 12 years we had together, the children that we had together. Thank you, but just because I had 12 good years doesn't mean I should have 50 bad years. I was so happy to be married and I was so happy to be divorced,” she said.

The couple married in 1994 and separated in 2003 after nearly nine years together. They share two children, including actor Alaya F .

After stepping back from mainstream cinema, Pooja has continued to appear in selective projects. Her recent appearances include the film 'Comedy Couple' and the web series 'Masaba Masaba'.