Lakshmi

Lakshmi: A Pan-South Indian Cinema Icon Yaragudipadi Venkata Mahalakshmi, known professionally as Lakshmi, is a veteran actress celebrated across the four South Indian film industries and Bollywood. Her career, spanning over five decades, began in 1968 with simultaneous debuts in Tamil ( Jeevanaamsam), Kannada (Goa Dalli CID 999), and Telugu (Bandhavyalu). Her 1974 Malayalam debut, Chattakari, achieved pan-India success, propelling her to stardom. Lakshmi's filmography boasts over 650 films, a testament to her remarkable versatility. She's acclaimed for her ability to dub her own voice in all languages, a feat rarely achieved. Her performance in Mithunam (2012) is considered among the decade's greatest. After a long stint as a lead actress, she transitioned seamlessly into character roles. Her accolades include a National Film Award for Best Actress, nine Filmfare Awards South (across all four languages—a unique achievement), a Kerala State Film Award, Nandi Awards, and Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress. Her Bollywood debut was in the 1975 film Julie, a Hindi adaptation of Chattakari. Lakshmi’s career is defined by consistent excellence across diverse roles and languages, solidifying her status as a cinematic legend.