From Salman Khan’s co-star to survival in a Mumbai chawl: Veergati actress Pooja Dadwal now runs a small tiffin service

Actor Pooja Dadwal, who once shared screen space with Salman Khan, is now reportedly living in a small chawl in Mumbai and running a modest tiffin service to make ends meet.

Dadwal entered Bollywood at just 17 with the 1995 film Veergati, marking what many saw as a dream debut alongside a major star. Although the film didn’t perform well at the box office, her performance drew attention and hinted at a promising career. However, consistent opportunities never followed.

She later turned to television, appearing in shows like Aashiqui and Gharana, but the success she had hoped for remained elusive. Eventually, she stepped away from acting, got married, and moved to Goa, where she worked with her husband managing a casino.



Her life took a drastic turn in 2018 when she was diagnosed with severe tuberculosis. The illness not only affected her health but also pushed her into financial distress. At her lowest point, she was reportedly abandoned by her husband and in-laws, leaving her alone in Mumbai without support.

During this difficult phase, she was admitted to a government hospital with the help of a well-wisher. After she shared a video seeking help, actors Ravi Kishan and Salman Khan stepped in. Khan reportedly covered her medical expenses for six months, a gesture Dadwal later credited with saving her life.

Despite recovering, her struggles didn’t end. She moved into a small 10x10 chawl in Mumbai and worked as a domestic help to survive. She also attempted a comeback with the Punjabi film Shukarana: Guru Nanak Dev Ji Ka in 2020, but it failed to revive her career.

Today, Pooja Dadwal leads a simple life, running a small tiffin service as she continues to navigate life away from the spotlight.