Pooja Umashankar made her film debut with Tamil film Ullam Ketkumae directed by the late Jeeva. This was a story about five college friends which included actors like Shaam, Laila, Arya, and Asin Thottumkal. Jay Jay and Attagasam were her next two releases.

Pooja Gautami Umashankar is one of the judges in the popular reality dance show Aatam Paatam Kondatam opposite dance master Prasanna on Kalaignar TV, the Tamil Television channel.

Pooja Gautami Umashankar’s mother is a Sri Lankan Sinhalese and her father is Kannadiga. The languages she can speak are Sinhalese, Tamil, Kannada and English. She went to school and college in Bangalore, Baldwin's and Mount Carmel College respectively.

Pooja (born 25 June 1981 as Pooja Gautami Umashankar in Sri Lanka) is an actress in Kollywood and the Sinhala film industry. She has a Masters Degree in Business & Management. She was also a part of Mani Ratnam's stage show