Yaragudipati Venkata Mahalakshmi

She made her debut in Tamil with the movie Jeevanaamsam (1968) where she played the role of lead actor's sister. She also made her debut in Telugu in the same year with the film Bandhavyalu. 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 Award for Best Actress including south languages and Hindi films[2][3].

• Name — Lakshmi • Birth Name — Yaragudipati Venkata Mahalakshmi • Born — 13 December 1952 • Birthplace — Madras, Madras State, India (present day Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India) • Years Active — 1968–present • Parents — Father: Y. V. Rao Mother: Kumari Rukmani • Children — 2, including Aishwariyaa Bhaskaran

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]

• Illustration — Lakshmi with Syed Sallauddin Pasha at a show Lakshmi debuted with the 1968 Kannada film Goa Dalli CID 999. 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 and Telugu. 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 is the only actress to have played daughter, sister, love interest and wife to Sivaji Ganesan, and 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 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 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 in Julie, 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 a 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 acting 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 the popular Kannada show Weekend with Ramesh on Zee Kannada.

• Illustration — Lakshmi with her husband Sivachandran Lakshmi's first marriage was with Bhaskaran with whom she has a daughter, actress Aishwariyaa Bhaskaran.[15] They later got divorced. Her second marriage was with co-star Mohan Sharma on the sets of Chattakari (1975) and ended in divorce (1980). While she was shooting En Uyir Kannamma (1988) she and actor-director M. Sivachandran fell in love and got married (1987). The couple adopted a girl named Samyuktha in 2000.[16]

List of Lakshmi Tamil film credits • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1968 — Jeevanaamsam — Lalitha • 1969 — Kanni Penn • 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 as herself • Thirumalai Deivam — Goddess Padmavati • Prarthanai • Thalai Prasavam • Thedi Vandha Lakshmi — Lakshmi • Vijaya • 1974 — Dikkatra Parvathi — Parvathi — Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil • Naan Avanillai — Salima • Thirumangalyam — Lavanya • Akkarai Pachai • Magalukkaga • Kanmani Raja — Janaki • Prayachittham • Tiger Thaathachari • 1975 — Swaami Ayyappan — Mohini • Pinju Manam • 1976 — Seervarisai • Unakkaga Naan • Vazhvu En Pakkam — Saraswathi/Usha • 1977 — Thoondil Meen • Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal — Ganga — National Film Award for Best Actress • 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 • Soundaryame Varuga Varuga • Mazhai Pattalam • 1981 — Netrikan — Meenakshi • Kudumbam Oru Koyil • Savaal — Ganga • Thillu Mullu — Cameo • Vaa Indha Pakkam • 1982 — Nenjangal • 1983 — Unmaigal — Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil • 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 — Cinema Express Award for Best Actress – Tamil • Kodai Mazhai • Anandha Kanneer — Parvatham • Enakku Nane Needipathi — Gowri • Kanmaniye Pesu • Neethana Antha 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 — Lalitha • 1992 — Jodi Senthachu • Sir... I Love You — Veni • 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

List of Lakshmi Telugu film credits • 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 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[24] — Saroja Devi • 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[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 • 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 — Aradhya's Paternal Grandmother

List of Lakshmi Malayalam film credits • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1974 — Chattakari — Julie • 1975 — Picnic — Maala • Prayanam — Savithri • Sindhu — Sindhu — Remake of Tamil film Puguntha Veedu (1972) • Chattambikkalyaani — Kalyani • Chalanum — Pavizham — Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam • Swami Ayappan — Mohini • Chuvanna Sandhyakal — Ragini • Raagam — Sreedevi • Ullasa Yaathra • 1976 — Mohiniyaattam — Mohini — Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam • 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 • 2014 — Ormayundo Ee Mukham — Gautham's grandmother

List of Lakshmi Kannada film credits • 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 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 • 2025 — Rajadrohi — Kaveramma / Annapurnamma

List of Lakshmi Hindi film credits • 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 • 1998 — Jeans — Krishnaveni • 2004 — Hulchul — Laxmi Devi

• Adutha Veetu Kavithai • Nallathor Veenai • Mahalakshmi

List of Lakshmi web series credits • Year — Title — Role — Language — Channel — Notes • 2023 — Sweet Kaaram Coffee — Sundari — Tamil — Amazon Prime Video

• 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)

The authorities additionally record the headings Laxmi, Lakshmi and Yaragudipadi Venkata Mahalakshmi. Her recorded language was Malayalam. She was the child of Yaragudipati Varada Rao and Kumari Rukmani. She married Mohan Sharma. One child is recorded: Shanta Meena Bhaskar.

• 1977 – National Film Award for Best Actress for Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal

• 1993 – Best Actress for Hoovu Hannu • 2008 – Best Supporting Actress for Vamshi • 2017 – Dr. Rajkumar Award (Highest honor in the Kannada Film Industry).[22]

• 1978 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress for Oru Nadigai Naatakam Paarkiraal

• 1974 – Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for Chattakari

• 1975 - Most outstanding work of the year for Julie[23]

• 1976 – Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Julie

• 1974 – Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actress for Dikkatra Parvathi • 1974 – Filmfare Award for Best Malayalam Actress for Chattakari[17] • 1975 – Filmfare Award for Best Malayalam Actress for Chalanum • 1976 – Filmfare Award for Best Malayalam Actress for Mohiniyaattam • 1978 - Filmfare Special Jury Award for Oru Nadigai Natakam Parkiral & Panthulamma[18] • 1983 – Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actress for Unmaigal[19] • 1986 – Filmfare Award for Best Telugu Actress for Sravana Meghalu • 1993 – Filmfare Award for Best Kannada Actress for Hoovu Hannu • 1998 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (South)[20]

• 1986 – Cinema Express Award for Best Actress – Tamil for Samsaram Adhu Minsaram • Nandi Awards[21] • Best Actress - Panthulamma (1977) • Best Actress - Sravana Meghalu (1986) • Best Character Actress - Murari (2001) • Special Jury Award - Mithunam (2012)

• 2021 – SIIMA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Oh! Baby