[en] | Lakshmi Manchu

Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna (born 8 October 1977) is an Indian actress, producer, and television presenter who works in Telugu cinema and worked in American television. The daughter of senior actor Mohan Babu, Manchu holds a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Oklahoma City University.[3] She has garnered two Filmfare Awards South, and two State Nandi Awards.

Lakshmi Manchu
Born
Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna[1]

(1977-10-08) 8 October 1977 (age 46)[2]
Madras, Tamil Nadu, India

Alma materOklahoma City University
Occupations
Spouse
  • Andy Srinivasan

    (m. 2006)​

Children1
Parent
Relatives
Websitelakshmimanchu.com

Manchu made her acting debut with the American television series Las Vegas, where she played the minor role of Sarasvati Kumar, the love interest of James Lesure.[4] She then appeared in one episode of each of the following series: Desperate Housewives, Late Nights with my Lover and Mystery ER. She has also appeared in commercials for Toyota, AARP and Chevrolet.[5]

In 2006, she directed, produced and acted in Perfect Lives, a short film that was showcased at the Wilshire Fine Arts Theater as part of the La Femme Film Festival in Los Angeles.[6] She made her Theatre debut as Miss Trunchbull in the adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda, directed by Taher Ali Baig in 2016.[7]

Early life and family

Lakshmi Manchu is the only daughter of actor Mohan Babu and Vidya Devi. She has two brothers Vishnu Manchu and Manoj Manchu.[8][9] She was born in Chennai.[10]

Manchu married Andy Srinivasan, an IT professional from Chennai in 2006. The couple has a daughter born through surrogacy. They are settled in Hyderabad.[11]

Career

Having started her career at the age of 4, Manchu has been in 20 feature films in India and few minor television roles in the U.S. She co-owns Sree Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures along with her family members, a production company that has produced fifty-six feature films to date.

In December 2011, she was signed on to portray a supporting role in Mani Ratnam‘s Tamil film Kadal after a successful audition. Portraying the role of Celina, a poor village woman, she expected this film to be her breakthrough but hardly got offers in Tamil after the film’s release.[12]

Filmography

Film

Acting roles

YearFilmRoleLanguageNotes
2008The OdeNajmaEnglish
2009Dead AirGabbi
Thank You for WashingPhoebeShort film
2010Jhummandi NaadamNarratorTeluguGuest appearance
2011Anaganaga O DheeruduIrendri
Dongala MuthaShiva[13]
2012DepartmentSatya BhosleHindi
Uu Kodathara? Ulikki Padathara?Amrutha ValliTelugu
2013KadalCelinaTamil
Gundello GodariChitraTelugu
DoosukelthaHerselfSpecial appearance[citation needed]
2014Chandamama KathaluLisa Smith[14]
A day in the life of Lakshmi Manchu’s feetLakshmi ManchuSilentShort Film
2015BuduguPoojaTelugu
DongaataShrutiAlso singer for “Yendiro Yendiro”[15]
Size ZeroHerselfSpecial appearance
Inji IduppazhagiTamil
2016Guntur TalkiesHerselfTeluguSpecial appearance
2017Basmati BluesSitaEnglish
Lakshmi BombLakshmi & PriyaTelugu
2018W/O RamDeeksha
Kaatrin Mozhi MariaTamil
2020Maa Vintha Gaadha VinumaHerselfTeluguSpecial appearance[16]
2021Pitta KathaluSwaroopakkaNetflix film
2022MonsterDurga / Catherine AlexandraMalayalamDebut Malayalam film[17]
TBAAdiparvam †TBATelugu

Producer

YearFilmDirector
2005SriDasaradh
2008Nenu Meeku Telusa?Ajay Sastry
2010Jhummandi NaadamK. Raghavendra Rao
2012Uu Kodathara? Ulikki Padathara?Sekhar Raja
2013Gundello GodariKumar Nagendra
2015DongaataVamsi Krishna

Television

Acting roles

YearTitleRoleLanguageNotes
2004–07Las VegasSarasvati KumarEnglishRecurring role (11 episodes)
2006Boston LegalJuror No. 6English“Shock and Oww!” (season 2: episode 18)
2008Mystery ERDr. BakerEnglish“Eating Away/A Model’s Malady” (season 2: episode 5)
Desperate HousewivesNabilaEnglish“Kids Ain’t Like Everybody Else” (season 5: episode 3)
2019Mrs. SubbalakshmiMrs. SubbalakshmiTeluguZEE5 originals web series[18]
2024YakshiniJwalamukhiTeluguDisney+ Hotstar web series[19]

As a host or judge

YearTitleNotes
2008Lakshmi Talk ShowHost
2011Prematho Mee LakshmiHost
2012Luckunte LakshmiHost
2013Super JodiJudge
2013DoosukelthaHost
2016Mee KosamHost
2016–2018MemusaithamHost
2018MaharaniHost
2021Aha Bhojanambu Host

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2011Filmfare Awards SouthBest Supporting Actress – TeluguAnaganaga O DheeruduNominated
2013Gundello GodariWon
2014Chandamama KathaluWon[20]
2011South Indian International Movie AwardsBest Actor in a Negative Role – TeluguAnaganaga O DheeruduWon[citation needed]
2013Best Supporting Actress – TeluguGundello GodariWon[21]
2015Best Actress – TeluguDongaataNominated
2011Nandi AwardsBest VillainAnaganaga O DheeruduWon
2014Best Supporting ActressChandamama KathaluWon
2011CineMAA AwardsBest Supporting ActressAnaganaga O DheeruduWon
Santosham Film AwardsBest VillainWon
Hyderabad Times Film AwardsBest Actor in a Negative Role – FemaleWon[22]
2013Oklahoma City UniversityAlumni Hall of Honour Award—Won[23]

References

  1. ^ “CBI conducts searches at Dasari residence, firm in Hyderabad”. The Hindu. 11 June 2013. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  2. ^ Balach, Logesh (8 October 2020). “Mohan Babu wishes daughter Lakshmi Manchu on her birthday, shares an adorable throwback pic”. India Today. Retrieved 2 March 2021. Lakshmi Manchu is celebrating her 43rd birthday today (October 8)
  3. ^ “Oklahoma City University School of Theatre to honor five graduates”. 31 March 2013. Archived from the original on 7 April 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  4. ^ “Metro Plus Hyderabad : ‘I want to be a champion of the underdog'”. The Hindu. Chennai, India. 25 April 2009. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  5. ^ “Lakshmi Manchu in Munnar – Telugu Movie News”. IndiaGlitz. 15 April 2011. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  6. ^ “Lakshmi Prasanna Manchu profile & biography”. Archived from the original on 8 December 2010. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  7. ^ jha, neha (2 December 2016). “Matilda comes alive on stage”. Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 19 April 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  8. ^ “Metro Plus Vijayawada : Probing what lies beyond star aura”. The Hindu. Chennai, India. 2 May 2009. Archived from the original on 28 October 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  9. ^ “Lakshmi Manchu’s Gundello Godari! | BayNews | The New Voice of Vizag”. Baynews.in. 16 April 2011. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  10. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acEgnB11Tig Archived 12 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine Lakshmi Manchu Interview
  11. ^ “Surrogate baby for Lakshmi Manchu”. Deccan Chronicle. 17 June 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  12. ^ “Lakshmi Manchu signs Mani Ratnam’s Pookadai”. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  13. ^ http://www.telugufirst.com/telugu-tv/tv-shows/254-manchu-lakshmi-new-show-at-etv.htm. Retrieved 28 April 2011. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)[dead link]
  14. ^ “Sattaru’s Chandamama Kathalu goes on floors”. Sify. 25 September 2013. Archived from the original on 7 April 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  15. ^ “Manchu Lakshmi In Never Before Seen Avatar In Dongata”. Thehansindia.com. 29 April 2015. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  16. ^ “Sidhu Jonnalagadda and Seerat Kapoor open up on ‘Maa Vintha Gaadha Vinuma'”. 10 November 2020.
  17. ^ IT Malayalam (18 September 2022). “റിലീസിനൊരുങ്ങി മോഹന്‍ലാലിന്റെ ‘മോണ്‍സ്റ്റര്‍’: പുതിയ അപ്ഡേറ്റ് എത്തി”. India Today Malayalam (in Malayalam). Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  18. ^ India, The Hans (26 February 2019). “Check Out Lakshmi Manchu in Mrs Subbalakshmi from ZEE5”. www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  19. ^ “Yakshini: Manchu Lakshmi To Play A Unique Role In Disney+ Hotstar’s Telugu New Series”. www.koimoi.com. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  20. ^ “Winners list: 62nd Britannia Filmfare Awards (South)”. The Times of India. 27 June 2015. Archived from the original on 27 June 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  21. ^ “Malaysia to host South Indian International Movie Awards next month”. thestar.com. 14 August 2014. Archived from the original on 9 January 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  22. ^ “The Hyderabad Times Film Awards 2011”. The Times of India. 24 June 2012. Archived from the original on 18 July 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  23. ^ “Oklahoma City University School of Theatre to honor five graduates”. 31 March 2013. Archived from the original on 7 April 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2017.