Director Ashutosh Gowariker says Pooja Hegde is an apt choice as the lead actress in his upcoming film 'Mohenjo Daro'.

Pooja is gearing up to make her big Bollywood debut opposite Hrithik Roshan in 'Mohenjo Daro'.

"During scripting, I had envisioned a new face for the character of Chaani because I wanted someone without an image or perception attached to her. It had to be someone who depicted grace, dignity and strength, but yet had a girl like naive innocence," Gowariker said in a statement here.

The "Lagaan" helmer revealed that it was his wife Sunita who was keen on having Pooja for 'Mohenjo Daro'.


"It was actually Sunita who first noticed Pooja in a TV commercial. She immediately felt that Pooja had a certain screen presence, which once I saw the commercial, even I felt," he said.

Gowariker immediately called Pooja and auditioned her.

"She was extremely quick on the uptake, took direction very well and was completely aligned with the character that I had in my mind," he added.

'Mohenjo Daro', the epic adventure-romance film produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur and Sunita Gowariker, is set to release on August 12.