Lakshmi (actress)

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Lakshmi
Lakshmi at Naan Suvasikkum Sivaji Book Launch.jpg
Lakshmi at Naan Suvasikkum Sivaji book launch
Born
Yaragudipadi Venkata Mahalakshmi

(1952-12-13) 13 December 1952 (age 71)
Years active1961, 1968–present
Spouse(s)
Bhaskar
(
m. 1969; div. 1974)
(
m. 1975; div. 1980)
(
m. 1987)
Children2; including Aishwarya
Parent(s)Yaragudipati Varada Rao
Kumari Rukmini

Yaragudipadi Venkata Mahalakshmi (born 13 December 1952),[1] known professionally as Lakshmi, is an Indian actress known for her work primarily in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi films. She made her film debut through a Tamil film Sri Valli in 1961. Her debut as an actress happened with the Tamil film Jeevanaamsam in 1968. In the same year, she also debuted in Kannada and Telugu films with Goa Dalli CID 999 and Bandhavyalu, respectively. In 1974, Her second Malayalam film, Chattakari went on to become a blockbuster throughout India. Her performance in Mithunam (2012) is regarded as one of the "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade" by Film Companion.[2]

She then went on to appear in a number of commercially successful films in various languages. She has won one National Film Award for Best Actress, eight Filmfare Awards, three Nandi Awards, Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress, Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress for the movie Hoovu Hannu, the Bengal Film Journalists Association Awards and various other state awards. Lakshmi made her Bollywood debut in 1975, with the woman-centric Julie, the remake of Malayalam film Chattakkari. 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 the Filmfare Awards South seven times with most wins in all four different languages.[3][4][5][6][7][8]

Early life[edit]

Lakshmi was born and raised in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Her mother Kumari Rukmini was a Tamil actress.[9] Her father, Yaragudipati Varada Rao, was an Indian film producer, director, thespian, screenwriter, editor and actor known for his works predominantly in Telugu, Kannada and Tamil cinema.[10]

Career[edit]

She established herself as a successful and popular actress in South India in the 1970s, acting in all four South Indian languages: Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. Lakshmi rose to fame with her first Malayalam movie Chattakari (1974), which won her the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress. 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 as Julie (1975) and in Telugu as Miss Julie Prema Katha (1975). In addition to a Filmfare Best Actress Award,[11] she also won the Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards for the "most outstanding work of the year", for her work in Julie.[12] She is known for her versatility as an actress and for the glamorous outlook she embodied. Her acting in the Telugu film Panthulamma is often credited as one of her best performances.[13]

After the success of her debut Malayalam film Chattakari, she starred in many other films in Malayalam. She won Filmfare Awards for Best Actress for her performances in Chalanum and Mohiniyaattam.

She has acted with almost all the leading actors and stars of South India, but it was her combination with the famous Kannada star Anant 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 more than 25 films. Their pair was considered the right recipe for success. Most of the films based on TaRaSu novels were based on the life of young middle class couples.

After her success in Julie, however, Lakshmi didn't star in many Hindi films and instead concentrated on doing more South Indian films. She won the National Film Award for Best Actress for Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal (1977), 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 grandmother. She played Aishwarya Rai's grandmother in Jeans (1998) and Kareena Kapoor's grandmother in Hulchul (2004).

She has performed in more than 400 films and has also been involved in politics.[citation needed]

Under K. Balachander's supervision, she made her directorial debut with a remake of Yours, Mine and Ours: the Kannada film Makkala Sainya (1980 Tamil version Mazhalai Pattalam).[14]

Lakshmi is fluent in all four South Indian languages. She took a break from acting to host two talk shows, including the Tamil talk show Achamillai, Achamillai.[citation needed]She hosted a talk show in Kannada for Suvarna channel called Idu Kathe Alla Jeevana.[15] She also hosts a talk show in Tamil for Vijay TV called Kadhai Alla Nijam. She has hosted a talk show in Kannada for Suvarna channel called Neena? Naana?

After the shows ended, she returned to act in films.[citation needed]

Currently she is on the judges' panel for the Malayalam reality show Champions on Surya TV. She is also a judge for a Kannada reality show called Drama Juniors on Zee Kannada.

Personal life[edit]

Her first marriage was to Bhaskar in 1969, who worked with an insurance organization. The couple has a daughter, actress Aishwarya, born in 1971. Lakshmi divorced Bhaskar in 1974.[16]

Her second marriage was with her co-star Mohan Sharma on the sets of Chattakari and married him in 1975, but it ended in divorce in 1980.

While she was shooting En Uyir Kannamma (1988), she and actor-director M. Sivachandran fell in love and got married in 1987. The couple adopted a girl named Samyuktha in 2000.[17]

Awards[edit]

National Film Awards[edit]

Filmfare Awards[edit]

Filmfare Awards South[edit]

Nandi Awards[edit]

Karnataka State Film Awards[edit]

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards[edit]

Kerala State Film Awards[edit]

Bengal Film Journalists Association Awards[edit]

  • 1975 - Most outstanding work of the year for Julie[22]

Selected filmography[edit]

Telugu[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1968 Bandhavyalu Lakshmi
1968 Chuttarikalu Lakshmi
1969 Karpura Harathi Rani (sister of hero Krishna Ghattamaneni)
1969 Mahabaludu
1970 Mayani Mamtha
1970 Oke Kutumbham
1970 Ma Avida Collector Akkaji
1971 Suputhrudu Madhavi
1971 Nindu Dampathulu Vani
1972 Koduku Kodalu Julie
1972 Marapurani Thalli
1972 Abbaigaru Ammaigaru
1973 Jeevana Tharangalu Lavanya
1973 Palletoori Bava Lalitha
1973 Kanna Koduku Bharati
1973 Puttinillu Mettinillu Remake of Tamil movie Puguntha Veedu (1972)
1974 Manushulu Mattibommalu
1974 Andaru Dongale Lakshmi
1974 Kodenag
1974 Bangaaru Kalalu Jyothi
1975 Ammayila Sapatham Chithra
1975 Babu (1975 film)
1975 Devudu Chesina Pelli
1975 Vayasochchina Pilla
1976 Bangaru Manishi Geetha
1977 Eetharam Manishi Meera
1978 Panthulamma Sharada Nandi Award for Best Actress
Nominated-Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu
1978 Mallepoovu
1981 Bhavi Powrulu
1981 Pandanti Jeevitham
1981 Chattaniki Kallu Levu Inspector Durga
1982 Raaga Deepam Gowri
1982 Korukunna Mogudu
1982 Bandhalu Anubandhalu
1982 Prema Murthulu
1983 Mugguru Monagallu
1983 Poratham
1986 Sravana Megalu Nandi Award for Best Actress
Filmfare Award for Best Telugu Actress
1986 Brahma Rudrulu Sujatha
1986 Ravana Brahma Geeta
1987 Ananda Thandavam
1990 Ghatana
1992 Pranadaata Kamala
1992 Public Rowdy
1992 Doshi
1993 Paruva Prathishta Parvathi
1993 Nippu Ravva SP
1993 Repati Rowdy
1994 Andaru Andare
1994 O Thandri O Koduku
1995 Alluda Majaka Vasundhara
1995 Madhya Taragathi Maha Bharatham
1996 Ninne Pelladata Mahalakshmi
1997 Abbai Gari Pelli
1997 Aaro Pranam
1997 Super Heroes
1997 Priya O Priya Vasundhara
1997 Muddula Mogudu Shakunthala Devi
1998 Premante Idera Murali's mother
1998 Pelli Kanuka Ganga
1999 Bobbili Vamsham
2001 Murari Gopakka Nandi Award for best character actress
2001 Preminchu Kousalya
2001 Chiranjeevulu
2002 Lahiri Lahiri Lahirilo Achchamamba
2002 Prudhvi Narayana Laxmi
2004 Sakhiya Durga Devi
2008 Chintakayala Ravi Seshamba chintakayala
2009 Eenadu Chief Secretary Nominated-Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu
2012 Midhunam Buchchi Lakshmi Nandi Special Jury Award
2015 Moodu Mukkallo Cheppalante Malini
2019 Oh! Baby Savitri/Bebakka/Baby
2019 Manmadhudu 2 Sam's mother
2019 Gang Leader Saraswathi

Tamil[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1961 Sri Valli Child Valli Debut in Tamil
1968 Jeevanaamsam Lalitha
1969 Kanni Pen
Kaaval Dheivam Gokila
Annaiyum Pithavum
Mannippu Bama
Paalkudam
Magane Nee Vazhga
1970 Maattukara Velan Kamala Nagalingam
Jeevanadi
Ethiroli Kalpana
Kannan Varuvan
Maanavan
Navagraham Vatchala
Penn Deivam Ponnamma's daughter
Veetukku Veedu Malathi
Yaen? Kamala
1971 Nootrukku Nooru Lakshmi
Thangaikaga Radha/Amutha
Thirumagal Radha
Arunodhayam Nirmala
Uyir
Kumari Kottam Uma
Thulli Odum Pulliman
1972 Kasethan Kadavulada Rama
Aseervatham
Kanimuthu Paappa
Karunthel Kannayiram
Dhikku Theriyadha Kaattil
Puguntha Veedu
Pillaiyo Pillai
Agathiyar Kaveri
Ponmagal Vanthal
Idhaya Veenai Nalini
Nawab Narkali Kanchana
Rani Yar Kuzhandhai
Sange Muzhangu Ladha
1973 Rajaraja Cholan Princess Kundavai
Karaikkal Ammaiyar Punithavathi
Arangetram Cameo
Thirumalai Deivam Goddess Padmavati
Prarthanai
Thalai Prasavam
Thedi Vandha Lakshmi Lakshmi
Vijaya
1974 Dikkatra Parvathi Parvathi Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actress
Naan Avanillai Salima
Thirumangalyam Lavanya
Akkarai Pachai
Magalukkaga
Kanmani Raja Janaki
Prayachittham
Tiger Thaathachari
1975 Swaami Ayyappan Mohini
Pinju Manam
Anayavilakku
1976 Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal Ganga National Film Award for Best Actress
Seervarisai
Unakkaga Naan
Vazhvu En Pakkam Saraswathi/Usha
1977 Thoondil Meen
Oruvannukku Oruthi
Punitha Anthoniyar
1978 Oru Nadigai Natakam Parkiral Kalyani Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress
Thyagam Radha
Achchani
1979 Dhairyalakshmi
Nangooram
Vallavan Varugiran
1980 Polladhavan Seetha
Avan Aval Adhu
Mazhai Pattalam
1981 Netrikan Meenakshi
Kudumbam Oru Koyil
Savaal Ganga
Thillu Mullu Cameo
Vaa Indha Pakkam
1982 Nenjangal
1983 Unmaigal Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actress
Indru Nee Nalai Naan
Thandikapatta Nyayangal
Nenjodu Nenjam
1984 Sirai Bhagirathi
Nee Thodumbothu
Nenjathai Allitha
1985 Sri Raghavendrar Saraswati Bai
Udhaya Geetham Leela Chowdhry
Anthasthu
Oru Malarin Payanam
Thavam
1986 Samsaram Adhu Minsaram Uma
Kodai Mazhai
Anandha Kanneer Parvatham
Enakku Nane Needipathi
Kanmaniye Pesu
Needhana Andha Kuyil
Palaivana Rojakkal Surya
1987 Sirai Paravai
Kudumbam Oru Koyil
Dampathyam
Evargal Indiyargal
Mupperum Deviyar
Thalidhaanam
1988 Kaalaiyum Neeye Maalaiyum Neeye
Paasa Paravaigal Mrs. Anandhi Sukumar, Advocate
Adhu Antha Kaalam
En Uyir Kannamma
Kadarkarai Thaagam
Ratha Dhanam
Thambi Thanga Kambi Ganga (Kaveri)
1989 Ore Oru Gramathiley Gayathri alias Karuppayi
1990 Nyayangal Jayikkattum Saraswathi
Naanum Indha Ooruthan
1991 Maanagara Kaaval Rupavathy, the Prime Minister of India
Rudhra
1992 Jodi Senthachu
Sir...I Love You
1993 Enga Thambi Shanthi
1994 Athiradi Padai Chithra IAS
Kanmani Kanmani's mother
Pattukottai Periyappa Jhansi
1995 Periya Kudumbam Kasthuri
Mr. Madras Murugan's mother
1996 Musthaffaa Bhagyalakshmi
Ilamai Rojakkal
1997 Vallal Durairasu's sister
1998 Moovendhar Sivagami
Veera Thalattu Pandian's adopted mother
Jeans Krishnaveny Paatty
Iniyavale Prabakharan's mother, Lakshmi
Murattu Kadhal
Thalaimurai
1999 Padayappa Padayappa's mother
Kannupada Poguthaiya Parvathy
Manam Virumbuthe Unnai Priya's mother
2000 Kakkai Siraginilae Savithri
Rhythm Chithra's mother-in-law
Vaanavil Jayalakshmi I.A.S
Snegithiye Malathi
2002 Dhaya Mother Sharada
2004 Vasool Raja MBBS Janaki's mother
2005 Ayya Ayyadurai's wife
Kanda Naal Mudhal Ramani
2007 Naan Avanillai Sarada
Vel Vetrivel's grandmother
2008 Karuvarai Pookkal
2009 Unnaipol Oruvan Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu
2015 Moone Moonu Varthai Malini

Malayalam[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1974 Chattakari Julie Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress
Filmfare Award for Best Malayalam Actress
1975 Picnic Maala
Prayanam Savithri
Sindhu Sindhu Remake of Tamil movie Puguntha Veedu (1972)
Chattambikkalyaani Kalyani
Chalanum Pavizham Filmfare Award for Best Malayalam Actress
Swami Ayappan Mohini
Chuvanna Sandhyakal Ragini
Raagam Sreedevi
Ullasa Yaathra
1976 Mohiniyaattam Mohini Filmfare Award for Best Malayalam Actress
Ponni Ponni
Ajayanum Vijayanum Nandini
Missi -
Priyamvada
Surveykkallu
1977 Sneha Yamuna -
Agninakshathram Tessy
Mohavum Mukthiyum -
Akshayapaathram -
Kaduvaye Pidicha Kiduva -
Chila Nerangalil Chila Manushyar
1978 Iniyum Puzhayozhukum Celeine
Vyaamoham -
Anthonees Punyavaalan
Simhaasanam Narayani
1980 Rajaneegandhi Sumathy
1981 Orikkal Koodi Devayani
Anthiveyilile Ponnu Maya
Vida Parayum Munpe Sudha
1982 Sindoora Sandhyakku Mounam Deepthi
Padayottam Parvathi
Preeyasakhi Radha Radha
Lady Teacher
Gaanam Rukmini
1983 Thaalam Thettiya Tharattu Adv. Rajalakshmi
Karyam Nissaram Ammini Kutty
America America Radha
Attakkalasam Indu
Bandham Thulasi/Sarasi
Aaroodam Indira
Nathi Muthal Nathi Vare Naseema
Aadhipathyam Vilasini
Sandhya Vandanam Mini
1984 Piriyilla Naam Lakshmi Menon
Arante Mulla Kochu Mulla Maheswariyamma
Aattuvanchi Ulanjappol Prameela
Ningalil Oru Sthree Renuka
Vepraalam Rajalakshmi
1985 Choodatha Pookal Hema
1985 Vannu Kandu Keezhadakki Padmavathi
1988 Daisy Malathy Menon
1990 Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu Sreedevi Rosario
Kshanakkathu Devaki Nair
1992 Bharatham Ramani
Poochakkaru Mani Kettum Kunjukuttiyamma
1994 Manathe Vellitheru Yasodhamma
Gamanam Bhanumathi
Pathavi
2007 Raakilipattu Malathy Menon
Veeralipattu Hari's grandmother
2009 IG Dhurga Prasad's Mother
2010 Pramani Rosy Teacher
2012 Bhoomiyude Avakashikal
2014 Ormayundo Ee Mukham Gautham's grandmother

Kannada[edit]

Year Title Costar Notes
1968 Goa Dalli CID 999 Raj Kumar
1976 Naa Ninna Mareyalare Raj Kumar
1977 Olavu Geluvu Raj Kumar
1978 Kiladi Jodi Srinath & Vishnuvardhan Double role
1979 Naa Ninna Bidalaare Anant Nag
1979 Ravichandra Raj Kumar
1979 Nanobba Kalla Raj Kumar
1979 Chandanada Gombe Anant Nag & Lokesh
1980 Dhairyalakshmi Anant Nag & Ambarish
1981 Antha Ambarish
1981 Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha Lokesh
1981 Avala Hejje Vishnuvardhan & Ambarish
1981 Gaali Maathu Jai Jagdish
1981 Etu Ediretu Srinath
1982 Tony Ambarish & Srinath
1983 Pallavi Anu Pallavi Vikram & Anil Kapoor
1983 Makkale Devaru Anant Nag
1983 Mududida Tavare Aralithu Anant Nag
1983 Benkiya Bale Anant Nag
1983 Nodi Swamy Navirodu Hige Anant Nag
1983 Ibbani Karagithu Anant Nag
1984 Makkaliralavva Mane Thumba Anant Nag
1984 Thaliya Bhagya Charan Raj
1984 Gandu Bherunda Srinath & Ambarish
1984 Olavu Moodidaga Anant Nag
1985 Bidugadeya Bedi Anant Nag
1985 Brahmastra Ambarish
1985 Sedina Hakki Anant Nag, Prabhakar & Rajeev
1986 Nannavaru Srinath
1987 Onde Goodina Hakkigalu Vikram
1987 Sowbhagya Lakshmi Vishnuvardhan
1987 Bangarada Baduku
1988 Dharma Pathni Rajesh
1989 Hosa Kavya Prabhakar
1990 Lion Jagapathi Rao Vishnuvardhan
1991 Central Rowdy
1991 Bombay Daada
1992 Bhale Keshava
1993 Hoovu Hannu Filmfare Award for Best Kannada Actress
Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress
1993 Kumkuma Bhagya Srinath
1993 Grihalakshmi
1993 Rayara Maga
1993 Jaga Mechida Huduga
1993 Sri Durga Pooje
1995 Baalondu Chaduranga
1996 Hetthavaru
1998 Preethsod Thappa
1999 Chennappa Channe Gowda
1999 Suryavamsha Vishnuvardhan
2001 Amma Anant Nag
2001 Diggajaru
2002 Prema
2007 Hethare Hennanne Herabeku
2008 Vamshi Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress
2009 Budhivanta
2010 Jothegara
2015 Sharp Shooter
2015 Vamshodharaka
2017 Eradane Sala
2017 Saheba

Hindi[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1975 Julie Julie Filmfare Best Actress Award
1977 Jeevan Mukt
Charandas Lalli
1979 Aangan Ki Kali Sunita
1981 Kahani Ek Chor Ki Geeta
1981 Dhuaan Lakshmi
2004 Hulchul Laxmi Devi

TV Serials[edit]

  • Adutha Veetu Kavithai
  • Nallathor Veenai
  • Mahalakshmi

TV shows[edit]

  • Kannadada Kotyadhipati as Contestant
  • Kadhai Alla Nijam reality show in Vijay TV
  • Neena Naana as Host
  • Champions as Judge
  • Drama Juniors as Judge
  • Kathe alla jeevana Kannada Reality show

References[edit]

  1. Lakshmi (12 March 2016). Weekend with Ramesh Season 2 - Episode 23 - March 12, 2016 - Full Episode (in ಕನ್ನಡ). Zee Kannada. Event occurs at 4:50. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  2. "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade". Film Companion. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  3. 3.0 3.1 https://archive.org/download/41stAnnualFilmfareBestTeluguFilmKannadaActorActressDirector/41st%20annual%20filmfare%20best%20telugu%20film%20kannada%20actor%20actress%20director.jpg
  4. Reed, Sir Stanley (22 August 1976). "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who". Times of India Press – via Google Books.
  5. "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who". Times of India Press. 22 August 1978 – via Google Books.
  6. "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who". 22 August 1980 – via Google Books.
  7. 7.0 7.1 "34th Annual Filmfare Awards South Winners". 28 May 2017. Archived from the original on 28 May 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2019 – via Internet Archive.
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Collections". 1991.
  9. "Sri Valli—1945". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 28 December 2007. Archived from the original on 30 December 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  10. Guy, Randor (22 August 2003). "A revolutionary filmmaker". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  11. 1st Filmfare Awards 1953
  12. "69th & 70th Annual Hero Honda BFJA Awards 2007". Archived from the original on 19 January 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  13. 60 years of Telugu cinema a book published in 2007
  14. Raman, Mohan (3 January 2015). "KB: Kollywood's Discovery Channel". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  15. Sathyendran, Nita (23 January 2009). "Timeless, ageless". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  16. Warrier, Shobha (3 March 2001). "'I don't want to act with half-baked idiots any longer'". Rediff. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  17. ""I'll act till my last breath" - Lakshmi". Screen. 27 July 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 https://books.google.com/books?ei=o6TSTZTZENHOrQf55YWmCQ&ct=result&id=kh–2AAAAIAAJ&dq=gnana+oli&q=chattakari#search_anchor
  19. "Collections". 1991.
  20. https://archive.org/download/46thFilmfareAwardsSouthWinners/46th%20Filmfare%20Awards%20south%20winners.jpg
  21. "Rajkumar award for Lakshmi - Bangalore Mirror".
  22. "39th Annual BFJA Awards". BFJA. Archived from the original on 19 January 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2012.

External links[edit]