Pooja Hegde in ‘Retro’ mode, opens up on her social media followers

Actress Pooja Hegde has opened up about the often-misunderstood relationship between social media popularity and real-world stardom. Despite boasting a massive 30 million followers on Instagram, Hegde believes that these numbers don’t necessarily translate into success at the box office.

“I may have 30 million followers on Instagram, but that doesn’t mean I draw 30 million footfalls at the box office. There are bigger superstars who don’t even have 5 million followers. It’s important to realize that social media isn’t the real world,” she said in a recent interview.

Currently promoting her upcoming film Retro, which features Tamil superstar Suriya in the lead, Hegde emphasized the importance of meaningful roles over glamorous appearances. The actress revealed that she has consciously shifted her focus towards substantial characters and storylines.

In an age where Heroines with no market complain abt #WageGap, it's nice to see atleast some Women in Cinema living in Reality & accepting how their Followers on Social Media doesn't represent actual Market compared to Superstars

& for that, @hegdepooja , I love you#PoojaHegde pic.twitter.com/mq2wLKPL4i

— Vasu Ericsson (@VasuEricsson) April 16, 2025

“I’ve reached a point in my career where I want to do roles that resonate with me and leave an impact. That’s why I’ve decided to take a break from Telugu films for now and concentrate on projects that allow me to grow as an actor,” she explained.

Hegde was last seen in Dev opposite Shahid Kapoor, where her performance was praised for its maturity and emotional depth. With Retro, she hopes to continue on this path of evolution as an artist.

As social media continues to blur the lines between perception and reality, Hegde’s candid reflection serves as a reminder that digital fame doesn’t always equate to cinematic success. For her, the focus remains on quality content, powerful performances, and choosing films that align with her creative vision.