Lakshmi | |
|---|---|
 Lakshmi atNaan Suvasikkum Sivaji book launch in 2015 | |
| Born | Yaragudipati Venkata Mahalakshmi (1952-12-13)13 December 1952 (age 72) Madras, Madras State, India |
| Years active | 1968–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 2, includingAishwariyaa Bhaskaran |
| Parents |
|
Yaragudipati Venkata Mahalakshmi (born 13 December 1947[1]), known professionally asLakshmi, is an Indian actress known for her works primarily in all 4 Southern Indian language film industries (distributing her acting career across all four languages almost equally). She has also acted in someHindi films. She made her debut as actress with the 1968Tamil filmJeevanaamsam. She debuted in full-fledged lead role in the same year with theKannada filmGoa Dalli CID 999. She also made her debut inTelugu in the same year with the filmBandhavyalu.
In 1974, her debutMalayalam film,Chattakari went on to become a blockbuster throughout India. She has acted in over 650 films as confirmed in the popular Kannada TV Show Weekend With Ramesh onZee Kannada channel. Her performance inMithunam (2012) is regarded as one of the100 Greatest Performances of the Decade byFilm Companion.[citation needed] Lakshmi then went on to appear in a number of commercially successful films in various languages without a hesitation or diction. She dubs her voice for all of her movies, irrespective of the language and remains one of the very few critically acclaimed stars to achieve this stage.
In a career spanning more than five decades she has won oneNational Film Award for Best Actress, nineFilmfare Awards South, OneKerala State Film Award for Best Actress,Nandi Awards,Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress for the movieHoovu Hannu, theBengal Film Journalists Association Awards and various other state awards.
Lakshmi made herBollywood debut in 1975, with the woman-centricJulie, the remake ofMalayalam filmChattakkari. After appearing as a lead actress for more than a decade, she switched over to character roles. She is the only actress who has won theFilmfare Awards South in all four south languages.[2][3][4][5][6][7][excessive citations]
Lakshmi was born and raised inChennai, Tamil Nadu. Her motherKumari Rukmini was aTamil actress.[8] Her father,Yaragudipati Varada Rao, was aTelugu producer, director, thespian, screenwriter, editor and actor known for his works predominantly inTelugu,Kannada,Malayalam andTamil Cinema.[9]
She established herself as a successful and popular actress in South India in the 1970s, acting in all four South Indian languages:Kannada,Malayalam,Tamil andTelugu. Lakshmi rose to fame with her first Malayalam movieChattakari (1974), which won her theKerala State Film Award for Best Actress.[citation needed] This has the distinction of being the first Malayalam film to run continuously for 40 weeks in a Bangalore theatre.Chattakari (1974) was remade in Hindi asJulie (1975) and in Telugu asMiss Julie Prema Katha (1975). In addition to aFilmfare Best Actress Award,[10] she also won theBengal Film Journalists' Association Awards for the "most outstanding work of the year", for her work inJulie.[11] She is known for her versatility as an actress and for the glamorous outlook she embodied. Her acting in the Telugu filmPanthulamma is often credited as one of her best performances.[12]
After the success of her debut Malayalam filmChattakari, she starred in many other films in Malayalam. She won Filmfare Awards for Best Actress for her performances inChalanum andMohiniyaattam.[citation needed]
She is only actress to play daughter, sister, love interest and wife toSivaji Ganesan even her mother has acted heroine opposite him and has acted with almost all the leading actors and stars of South India, but it was her combination with famous Kannada starAnant Nag in the 70s and 80s that struck a chord with the audience. Nag and Lakshmi are considered one of the all-time greatest pairs in South Indian cinema. They acted together in 10-12 films. Their pair was considered best-looking and the right recipe for success. Some of these films were based on TaRaSu novels and dealt with the lives of married middle-class couples.
After her success inJulie, Lakshmi didn't star in many Hindi films and instead concentrated on doing more South Indian films. She won theNational Film Award for Best Actress forSila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal (1977),[citation needed] becoming one of the first South Indian actresses to win that category for a Tamil film. When her career as a leading lady ended in the 1980s, she started playing supporting roles as a mother and later as a grandmother. She playedAishwarya Rai's grandmother in theTamil musical blockbuster film,Jeans (1998) andKareena Kapoor's grandmother in the hit film,Hulchul (2004).
She has performed in more than 400 films and has also been involved in politics.[citation needed]
UnderK. Balachander's supervision, she made her directorial debut with a remake ofYours, Mine and Ours: theKannada filmMakkala Sainya (1980 Tamil versionMazhalai Pattalam).[13]
Lakshmi is fluent in all four South Indian languages. She took a break from acting to host two talk shows, including the Tamil talk showAchamillai, Achamillai.[citation needed]She hosted a talk show inKannada for Suvarna channel calledIdu Kathe Alla Jeevana.[14] She also hosts a talk show in Tamil for Vijay TV calledKadhai Alla Nijam. She has hosted a talk show inKannada for Suvarna channel calledNeena? Naana? After the shows ended, she returned to acting in films.[citation needed]
Currently she is on the judges' panel for the Malayalam reality showChampions on Surya TV. She is also a judge for aKannada reality show calledDrama Juniors onZee Kannada. She has overall appeared in over 650 films across languages as confirmed on the popular Kannada showWeekend with Ramesh onZee Kannada.
Lakshmi's first marriage was with Bhaskaran with whom she has a daughter, actressAishwariyaa Bhaskaran.[15] They later got divorced.
Her second marriage was with co-starMohan Sharma on the sets ofChattakari (1975) and ended in divorce (1980).
While she was shootingEn Uyir Kannamma (1988) she and actor-directorM. Sivachandran fell in love and got married (1987). The couple adopted a girl named Samyuktha in 2000.[16]
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| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Bandhavyalu | Lakshmi | ||
| Chuttarikalu | Lakshmi | |||
| 1969 | Karpura Harathi | Rani | ||
| Mahabaludu | ||||
| 1970 | Mayani Mamata | Leela | ||
| Oke Kutumbham | Mary | |||
| Maa Aavida Collector | Akka garu | |||
| 1971 | Suputhrudu | Madhavi | ||
| Nindu Dampathulu | Vani | |||
| 1972 | Koduku Kodalu | Julie | ||
| Marapurani Thalli | ||||
| Abbaigaru Ammaigaru | ||||
| 1973 | Jeevana Tharangalu | Lavanya | ||
| Devudamma | Lakshmi/Rita | Dual Role | ||
| Palletoori Bava | Lalitha | |||
| Kanna Koduku | Bharathi | |||
| Puttinillu Mettinillu | Remake of Tamil filmPuguntha Veedu (1972) | |||
| 1974 | Manushulu Mattibommalu | |||
| Andaru Dongale | Lakshmi | |||
| Kode Nagu | ||||
| Bangaaru Kalalu | Jyothi | |||
| 1975 | Ammayila Sapatham | Chithra | ||
| Babu | ||||
| Devudu Chesina Pelli | ||||
| Vayasochchina Pilla | ||||
| 1976 | Bangaru Manishi | Geetha | ||
| 1977 | Eetharam Manishi[24] | Saroja Devi | ||
| 1978 | Panthulamma | Sharada | Filmfare Special Award – SouthNandi Award for Best Actress[citation needed] | |
| Mallepoovu | ||||
| 1981 | Bhavi Powrulu | |||
| Pandanti Jeevitham | ||||
| Chattaniki Kallu Levu | Inspector Durga | |||
| 1982 | Raaga Deepam | Gowri | ||
| Korukunna Mogudu | Parvathi | |||
| Bandhalu Anubandhalu | ||||
| 1983 | Prema Murthulu | |||
| Mugguru Monagallu | ||||
| Poratam | ||||
| 1986 | Sravana Megalu | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu Nandi Award for Best Actress[citation needed] | ||
| Brahma Rudrulu | Sujatha | |||
| Ravana Brahma | Geeta | |||
| 1987 | Ananda Thandavam | |||
| 1990 | Ghatana | |||
| 1992 | Pranadaata | Kamala | ||
| Public Rowdy | ||||
| Doshi | ||||
| 1993 | Paruvu Prathishta | Parvathi | ||
| Nippu Ravva | SP | |||
| Repati Rowdy[25] | Janaki | |||
| 1994 | Andaru Andare | |||
| Todi Kodalli | Syamla | |||
| O Thandri O Koduku | ||||
| 1995 | Alluda Majaka | Vasundhara | ||
| Madhya Taragathi Maha Bharatham | ||||
| 1996 | Ninne Pelladata | Mahalakshmi | ||
| 1997 | Abbai Gari Pelli | |||
| Aaro Pranam | ||||
| Super Heroes | ||||
| Priya O Priya | Vasundhara | |||
| Muddula Mogudu | Sakunthala Devi | |||
| 1998 | Premante Idera | Murali's mother | ||
| Pelli Kanuka | Ganga | |||
| 1999 | Bobbili Vamsam | |||
| 2001 | Murari | Gopakka | Nandi Award for Best Character Actress[citation needed] | |
| Preminchu | Kousalya | |||
| Chiranjeevulu | ||||
| 2002 | Lahiri Lahiri Lahirilo | Achchamamba | ||
| Prudhvi Narayana | Laxmi | |||
| 2004 | Sakhiya | Durga Devi | ||
| 2008 | Chintakayala Ravi | Seshamba chintakayala | ||
| 2009 | Eenadu | Chief Secretary | Nominated –Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu[citation needed] | |
| 2012 | Midhunam | Buchchi Lakshmi | Nandi Special Jury Award[citation needed] | |
| 2015 | Moodu Mukkallo Cheppalante | Malini | ||
| 2019 | Oh! Baby | Savitri/Bebakka/Baby | ||
| Manmadhudu 2 | Sam's mother | |||
| Gang Leader | Saraswathi | |||
| 2023 | Kushi | Aradhya's Paternal Grandmother |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Goa Dalli CID 999 | Veena | |
| 1976 | Naa Ninna Mareyalare | Usha | |
| 1977 | Olavu Geluvu | Rohini | |
| 1978 | Kiladi Jodi | Jenny/ Radha | Dual roles |
| 1979 | Naa Ninna Bidalaare | Gayatri | |
| Nanobba Kalla | Rukmini | ||
| Chandanada Gombe | Ratna | ||
| 1980 | Dhairyalakshmi | Lakshmi | |
| Ravichandra | Shanti | ||
| 1981 | Antha | Sunitha | |
| Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha | Ganga | ||
| Avala Hejje | Seetha | ||
| Gaali Maathu | Gowri | ||
| Etu Eduretu | Pushpa | ||
| 1982 | Tony | Jyothi | |
| 1983 | Pallavi Anu Pallavi | Anu | |
| Makkale Devaru | Shanti | ||
| Mududida Tavare Aralithu | Madhu | ||
| Benkiya Bale | Rukmini | ||
| Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige | Aparna | Special appearance | |
| Ibbani Karagithu | Manasa | ||
| 1984 | Makkaliralavva Mane Thumba | Usharani | |
| Thaliya Bhagya | Radha | ||
| Gandu Bherunda | Champa | ||
| Olavu Moodidaga | Bharathi | ||
| 1985 | Bidugadeya Bedi | Gowri | |
| Brahmastra | Tunga | ||
| Sedina Hakki | Anitha / Gowri | ||
| Shwetha Gulabi | Special appearance | ||
| 1986 | Nannavaru | ||
| 1987 | Onde Goodina Hakkigalu | Kaveri | |
| Sowbhagya Lakshmi | Sowbhagya | ||
| Prema Kadambari | Seetha | ||
| 1988 | Dharma Pathni | Lakshmi | |
| Mathru Vathsalaya | Seetha / Indu | Dual roles | |
| Nanna Avesha | |||
| 1989 | Hosa Kavya | Ganga | |
| Bangaarada Baduku | |||
| 1990 | Lion Jagapathi Rao | Janaki | |
| 1991 | Bombay Daada | Viji | |
| 1992 | Gruhalakshmi | Parvati | |
| 1993 | Hoovu Hannu | Ramabai | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada[citation needed]Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress[citation needed] |
| Kumkuma Bhagya | Janaki | ||
| Rayara Maga | Janaki | ||
| Jaga Mechida Huduga | Bhavani | ||
| Sri Durga Pooje | |||
| 1994 | Love 94 | Sharada | |
| 1995 | Baalondu Chaduranga | ||
| Sathya Jwale | |||
| 1996 | Hetthavaru | Gowri | |
| 1997 | Maduve | Roopa's mother-in-law | |
| 1998 | Preethsod Thappa | Mahalakshmi | |
| 1999 | Surya Vamsha | Sathyamurthy's wife | |
| 2001 | Amma | ||
| Diggajaru | |||
| 2002 | Prema | Prema's mother | |
| 2007 | Hethare Hennanne Herabeku | ||
| 2008 | Vamshi | Vamshi's mother | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress[citation needed] |
| 2009 | Buddhivantha | Pooja's mother | |
| 2010 | Jothegara | Annapoorna | |
| 2015 | Sharp Shooter | ||
| Vamshodharaka | |||
| 2017 | Eradane Sala | Dhanu's mother | |
| Saheba | |||
| 2022 | Trikona | Parvati | |
| 2025 | Rajadrohi | Kaveramma / Annapurnamma |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Julie | Julie | Filmfare Award for Best Actress[citation needed] |
| 1977 | Jeevan Mukt | ||
| Charandas | Lalli | ||
| 1979 | Aangan Ki Kali | Sunita | |
| 1981 | Kahani Ek Chor Ki | Geeta | |
| 2004 | Hulchul | Laxmi Devi |
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Sweet Kaaram Coffee | Sundari | Tamil | Amazon Prime Video |
Awards for Lakshmi | |||||||||||||||||
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| International | |
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| National | |
