Hrithik 'taken aback' by Pooja Hegde's 'courage'

Actor Hrithik Roshan says he was "taken aback" by the courage of actress Pooja Hegde, who is set to make her Bollywood debut with filmmaker Ashutosh Gowarikar's film "Mohenjo Daro".

Pooja was recently unveiled and introduced to the media by Hrithik at an event which was attended by the entire cast and crew of the film, including Oscar-winning music director A.R. Rahman.

Pooja, a former beauty pageant contestant, has worked in the Telugu films "Oka Laila Kosam" and "Mukunda".

On Hrithik's own admission, he was surprised to see the confidence and courage in Pooja the first day they met for a shoot for the film.

"I was taken aback by her courage. I have shot with many stars, but when she looked into my eyes the courage and purity in her struck me. She's a rare talent and will go a long way in this industry I thought in my mind," Hrithik said in a statement.

Written, produced and directed by Gowariker, the epic adventure-romance is set in the city of Mohenjo Daro in the era of the Indus Valley civilisation which dates back to 2,600 BC.

"Mohenjo Daro" all set to hit the screens on August 12.