Lakshmi (actress)
Yaragudipadi Venkata Mahalakshmi (born 13 December 1952),[1] known professionally as Lakshmi, is an Indian actress known for her works primarily in the southern film industry (distributing her acting career in almost each Dravidian language equally), along with some Hindi films. Her debut as a full fledged actress happened with the Tamil film Jeevanaamsam in 1968 and in the same year, she debuted in Kannada with Goa Dalli CID 999 and in Telugu with the film Bandhavyalu.
Lakshmi | |
|---|---|
 Lakshmi at Naan Suvasikkum Sivaji book launch in 2015 | |
| Born | Yaragudipadi Venkata Mahalakshmi 13 December 1952 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Years active | 1968–present |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 2; including Aishwariyaa Bhaskaran |
| Parents | |
In 1974, her debut Malayalam 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 on Zee Kannada channel. Her performance in Mithunam (2012) is regarded as one of the 100 Greatest Performances of the Decade by Film Companion. 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 one National Film Award for Best Actress, nine Filmfare Awards South, One Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress, Nandi Awards, 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 in all four south languages as Filmfare Award Best Actress for eight times in various Indian languages. Till now she is the only actress who has won Filmfare award for best actress in all the 5 major film industries namely Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. Till now no South actress has won state award in all the 4 south states except Lakshmi. She is also the only Actress who has won Kerala State Film Awards, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka for best Actress and the National Award. This makes her the most versatile and popular actress across South India and also in the Hindi Belt which is now referred as Pan India, so she was one among the early pan Indian star.[2][3][4][5][6][7]
Early life
Lakshmi was born and raised in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Her mother Kumari Rukmini was a Tamil actress.[8] Her father, Yaragudipati Varada Rao, was a Telugu producer, director, thespian, screenwriter, editor and actor known for his works predominantly in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Tamil cinema.[9]
Career
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,[10] she also won the Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards for the "most outstanding work of the year", for her work in Julie.[11] 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.[12]
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 the Tamil musical blockbuster film, Jeans (1998) and Kareena Kapoor's grandmother in the hit film, Hulchul (2004).
She has performed in more than 400 films and has also been involved in politics.
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).[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 show Achamillai, Achamillai.She hosted a talk show in Kannada for Suvarna channel called Idu Kathe Alla Jeevana.[14] 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.
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. She has overall appeared in over 650 films across languages as confirmed on popular Kannada show Weekend with Ramesh on Zee Kannada.
Personal life
Lakshmi's first marriage was with Bhaskaran and later got divorced.She has a daughter, actress Aishwariyaa Bhaskaran with Bhaskaran.[15]
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.[16]
Awards
Filmfare Awards South
- 1974 – Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actress for Dikkatra Parvathi[17]
- 1974 – Filmfare Award for Best Malayalam Actress for Chattakari[17]
- 1975 – Filmfare Award for Best Malayalam Actress for Chalanum[17]
- 1976 – Filmfare Award for Best Malayalam Actress for Mohiniyaattam[17]
- 1978 - Filmfare Special Jury Award for Panthulamma[18]
- 1983 – Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actress for Unmaigal[19]
- 1986 – Filmfare Award for Best Telugu Actress for Sravana Meghalu[6][7]
- 1993 – Filmfare Award for Best Kannada Actress for Hoovu Hannu[2]
- 1998 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (South)[20]
Cinema Express Awards
- Best Actress - Panthulamma (1977)
- Best Actress - Sravana Meghalu (1986)
- Best Character Actress - Murari (2001)
- Special Jury Award - Mithunam (2012)
Karnataka State Film Awards
- 1993 – Best Actress for Hoovu Hannu
- 2008 – Best Supporting Actress for Vamshi
- 2017 – Dr. Rajkumar Award (Highest honor in the Kannada Film Industry).[22]
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
- 1978 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress for Oru Nadigai Naatakam Paarkiraal
Kerala State Film Awards
- 1974 – Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for Chattakari
South India International Movie Awards
- 2021 – SIIMA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Oh! Baby
Notable filmography
Tamil
Telugu
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Bandhavyalu | Lakshmi | |
| Chuttarikalu | Lakshmi | ||
| 1969 | Karpura Harathi | Rani (sister of hero Krishna Ghattamaneni) | |
| Mahabaludu | |||
| 1970 | Mayani Mamtha | ||
| Oke Kutumbham | |||
| 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 film Puguntha 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 | Meera | |
| 1978 | Panthulamma | Sharada | Filmfare Special Award – SouthNandi Award for Best Actress |
| 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 | |
| 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]'[24] | 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 | Shakunthala Devi | ||
| 1998 | Premante Idera | Murali's mother | |
| Pelli Kanuka | Ganga | ||
| 1999 | Bobbili Vamsham | ||
| 2001 | Murari | Gopakka | Nandi Award for Best Character Actress |
| 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 |
| 2012 | Midhunam | Buchchi Lakshmi | Nandi Special Jury Award |
| 2015 | Moodu Mukkallo Cheppalante | Malini | |
| 2019 | Oh! Baby | Savitri/Bebakka/Baby | |
| Manmadhudu 2 | Sam's mother | ||
| Gang Leader | Saraswathi | ||
| 2023 | Kushi |
Malayalam
Kannada
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Goa Dalli CID 999 | Veena | |
| 1976 | Naa Ninna Mareyalare | Usha | |
| 1977 | Sangharsha | ||
| 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 | Cameo | |
| 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 | ||
| Bangaarada Baduku | |||
| 1990 | Lion Jagapathi Rao | Janaki | |
| 1991 | Bombay Daada | Viji | |
| 1992 | Gruha Lakshmi | Parvati | |
| 1993 | Hoovu Hannu | Ramabai | Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress |
| 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 |
| 2009 | Buddhivantha | Pooja's mother | |
| 2010 | Jothegara | Annapoorna | |
| 2015 | Sharp Shooter | ||
| Vamshodharaka | |||
| 2017 | Eradane Sala | Dhanu's mother | |
| Saheba | |||
| 2022 | Trikona | Parvati |
Hindi
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Julie | Julie | Filmfare Award for Best Actress |
| 1977 | Jeevan Mukt | ||
| Charandas | Lalli | ||
| 1979 | Aangan Ki Kali | Sunita | |
| 1981 | Kahani Ek Chor Ki | Geeta | |
| 2004 | Hulchul | Laxmi Devi |
TV serials
- Adutha Veetu Kavithai
- Nallathor Veenai
- Mahalakshmi
Web series
| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Sweet Kaaram Coffee | Sundari | Amazon Prime Video |
TV shows
- Kannadada Kotyadhipati as Contestant (Kannada)
- Kadhai Alla Nijam reality show in Vijay TV (Tamil)
- Neena Naana as Host (Kannada)
- Champions as Judge (Kannada)
- Drama Juniors as Judge (Kannada)
- Kathe alla jeevana Kannada Reality show (Kannada)
References
- "Episode 23". Weekend with Ramesh. Season 2 (in Kannada). 12 March 2016. Event occurs at . Zee Kannada. Retrieved 4 August 2022. (subscription required)
- https://archive.org/download/41stAnnualFilmfareBestTeluguFilmKannadaActorActressDirector/41st%20annual%20filmfare%20best%20telugu%20film%20kannada%20actor%20actress%20director.jpg
- 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.
- "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who". Times of India Press. 22 August 1978 – via Google Books.
- "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who". 22 August 1980 – via Google Books.
- "34th Annual Filmfare Awards South Winners". 28 May 2017. Archived from the original on 28 May 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2019 – via Internet Archive.
- "Collections". 1991.
- "Sri Valli—1945". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 28 December 2007. Archived from the original on 30 December 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
- Guy, Randor (22 August 2003). "A revolutionary filmmaker". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- "1st Filmfare Awards 1953" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2007.
- "69th & 70th Annual Hero Honda BFJA Awards 2007". Archived from the original on 19 January 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- 60 years of Telugu cinema a book published in 2007
- Raman, Mohan (3 January 2015). "KB: Kollywood's Discovery Channel". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
- Sathyendran, Nita (23 January 2009). "Timeless, ageless". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
- Warrier, Shobha (3 March 2001). "'I don't want to act with half-baked idiots any longer'". Rediff. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
- ""I'll act till my last breath" - Lakshmi". Screen. 27 July 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
- Reed, Sir Stanley (21 August 1984). "Indian and Pakistan Year Book and Who's who". Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- 26th Filmfare Awards South
- "Collections". 1991.
- https://archive.org/download/46thFilmfareAwardsSouthWinners/46th%20Filmfare%20Awards%20south%20winners.jpg
- "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
- "Rajkumar award for Lakshmi - Bangalore Mirror".
- "39th Annual BFJA Awards". BFJA. Archived from the original on 19 January 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
- "Repati Rowdy (1993)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
