Long before she became one of the most familiar faces in Hindi cinema, Poonam Dhillon made waves not just for her on-screen presence but for standing up for her principles—at the mere age of 16. In a recent interview, the veteran actor opened up about her debut in Trishul, the resistance she faced at home, and the moment she boldly refused to wear a bikini on set—leaving a lasting impression on filmmaker Yash Chopra and his wife, Pamela Chopra.In a recent interaction with ANI, Poonam reflected on an early moment in her career when she stood her ground during the filming of Trishul. At just 16, she refused to wear a bikini for a swimming pool scene at the Oberoi hotel and instead requested a more modest costume. Her firm stance left an impression on Yash Chopra’s wife, Pam Chopra, who later described her as a “defiant” young girl who knew exactly what she was comfortable with.Despite Trishul being a dream debut—boasting a star-studded cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, and Shashi Kapoor—the actress didn’t let the pressure sway her. A trained swimmer and gymnast, she was confident wearing a proper swimsuit or shorts, but felt uncomfortable with the revealing bikini chosen for a poolside scene. After some back-and-forth with the team, the filmmakers eventually agreed to provide her with a one-piece costume. Pam Chopra would later recall Poonam’s quiet confidence, noting how self-assured she was even as a teenager—though Poonam herself finds it hard to imagine being that assertive at the time.During the same conversation, she recounted how Yash Chopra discovered her through a beauty pageant in Chandigarh and was determined to cast her in Trishul. After spotting her photograph, he reached out to her family through mutual acquaintances. However, his offer was initially met with strong resistance. Coming from a conservative background, her parents were firmly against the idea of their daughter joining films. The decision sparked considerable tension at home, with her mother feeling that the family’s reputation was at stake.Poonam shared that over time, her parents gradually came around and allowed her to join films—only after they developed confidence in her ability to handle the industry and stay grounded. Their initial hesitation eventually gave way to support once they saw her determination and clarity.
