Harshika Poonacha is an Indian actress who works primarily in the Kannada film industry and also in Konkani, Kodava, Telugu, Malayalam and now Bhojpuri Films.

Harshika Poonacha started her career at the age of 15 by acting in PUC (2008 Kannada film) while she was doing her 12th Standard at Christ Junior College, Bangalore.After completing 12th standard, Harshika spent the next two months working as a television anchor by hosting shows like Nimmindha Nimagaagi, Hrudayadinda and Sarigamapa before beginning a professional course. Harshika then joined Cambridge Institute of Technology, Bangalore and completed her Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical. In 2012, she joined Maxpro Software Company and agreed to work for five days a month while working 21 days in films. She said Getting into films was an accident. I never dreamt of becoming an actress

She used to participate in various extra-curricular activities in college, and she was also the cultural coordinator of her college.

In the summer holidays of her class 12, she joined a TV channel as a host. At that time the director of the Kannada film ‘PUC’ (2008) noticed her and asked her to act in the film. She agreed to it after taking the consent of her parents.

She continued working as a host in a few more TV shows after completing her schooling. She then completed her Bachelors and started working in a software company ‘Maxpro’ and continued working in films as well. In an interview, she shared that continuing her studies while working in the films was not easy for her, she said, It was not a bed of roses for her to manage both — pursuing engineering and acting in films. However, an active support system comprising classmates, lecturers and parents allowed me to accomplish both. My juniors used to do my homework. They never complained and were quite happy.

Harshika has worked in popular movies like Uchakattam, Udgharsha.

For her performance in Thamassu, Harshika won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2010. Other significant acting credits include 5 Idiots (2011), Case No. 18/9 (2013) and Bhale Jodi (2016).