From 'Jana Nayagan' with Thalapathy Vijay to 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' with Varun Dhawn: How Pooja Hegde's slate for 2026 looks like

Pooja Hegde’s upcoming lineup is raising the intrigue of her blockbuster collaborations on a pan-India level. The actress is geared up for a blast on the big-screen with big stories and bigger pairings - Jana Nayagan with Vijay Thalapathy, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai with Varun Dhawan, DQ41 with Dulquer Salmaan and Kanchana 4 with Raghava Lawrence.

Pooja’s collaborations in the past have resulted in blockbuster spectacles and unforgettable chemistry. And the pan-India powerhouse is keen on maintaining that graph.

Jana Nayagan (Tamil) - Vijay Thalapathy
Pooja marks a fiery collaboration with Vijay Thalapathy for Jana Nayagan, her second collaboration with the actor after Nelson Dilipkumar’s Beast (2022). Titled Jan Neta in Hindi, the makers of the film dropped Pooja’s still on her birthday, introducing her as Kayal. The poster served as a strong indication that the actress is poised to add meaning to the film’s plot as well as its emotional world. Directed by H. Vinoth, the film has created a massive buzz with its first roar and songs, setting the stage for its grand release. The film lands in theatres on January 9, 2026.

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Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai (Hindi) - Varun Dhawan
Pooja swings into Bollywood with Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, wherein she shares the screen space with Varun Dhawan. Given that both actors carry strong individual energies, the audiences are eager to watch sparks fly when their energies collide, resulting in a chemistry that’ll be unforgettable. Directed by David Dhawan, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is a family entertainer with a love triangle at the center. On this note, the film releases in theatres on June 5, 2026.

DQ41 (Telugu) - Dulquer Salmaan
Pooja marks her return to Tollywood after nearly three years with DQ41. The actress will be seen headlining the film as its leading lady, sharing the screen space with Dulquer Salmaan. In a video shared by the makers, Pooja seems to be stepping into a girl-next-door avatar, with a simple appearance, setting the stage for an outing that’s breezy and lighthearted. Directed by newcomer Ravi Nelakuditi, DQ41 will be produced by SLV Cinemas and fans are excited to dive into Pooja’s chemistry with Dulquer Salmaan.

Kanchana 4 (Tamil) - Raghava Lawrence
Raghava Lawrence starrer Kanchana film series is one of the most successful franchises in Tamil cinema, and Pooja is all set to headline its fourth installment. “Even in your Deepest Fear, She Comes to Tie Up and Faint you with her Beauty,” the makers had stated while announcing Pooja’s addition, skyrocketing intrigue among the audience to see Pooja in a never-seen-before avatar.