Aishwarya Lekshmi (born 6 September 1991) is an Indian actress who works predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil films. She has won one Filmfare Award South, one Kerala Film Critics Association Award and three SIIMA Awards.[1]
Aishwarya Lekshmi | |
---|---|
Born | Trivandrum, Kerala, India | 6 September 1991
Education | Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Ernakulam(MBBS) |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 2017–present |
She made her acting debut with 2017 Malayalam film Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela.[2] She went on to appear in Mayaanadhi (2017), Varathan (2018), Vijay Superum Pournamiyum (2019), Argentina Fans Kaattoorkadavu (2019). Lekshmi made her Tamil debut with Action (2019),[3] and her Telugu Debut with Ammu (2022).[4]
Early life and education
Aishwarya Lekshmi was born on 6 September 1991 in Trivandrum, Kerala.[5][6][7] She did her schooling at Holy Angel's Convent Trivandrum, and at Sacred Heart Convent Girls Higher Secondary School, Thrissur.[8] She completed her MBBS degree from Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences (SNIMS), Ernakulam in 2017. She also completed her internship there.[2][9][non-primary source needed] She resides in Trivandrum and Cochin.[10]
Career
Lekshmi has been modelling since 2014.[9] She has appeared on the covers of magazines such as Flower World, Salt Studio, Vanitha and FWD Life. She has modelled for brands such as Chemmanur Jewellers, Karikkineth Silks, La Brenda, Ezva Boutique, Akshaya Jewels, Sri Lakshmi Jewellery etc.[9]
She states that she "never planned on acting", but now that she has finished her studies, she decided to give it a try when she chanced upon casting call by Althaf Salim for the family-drama Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela starring Nivin Pauly and was cast in a prominent role.[2] She then did the female lead in the romantic thriller Mayaanadhi by Aashiq Abu.[11] The film became a major success and her role as an aspiring actress garnered appreciation. In 2018, she appeared inVarathan with Fahadh Faasil. In 2019 Aishwarya appeared in three Malayalam films: Vijay Superum Pournamiyum,[12] Argentina Fans Kaattoorkadavu[13] and Brother's Day. She also made her Tamil debut with Action (2019), opposite Vishal. She then went on to appear in the Netflicks Tamil Gangster film Jagame Thandhiram (2021) alongside Dhanush, in which she played the role of Attilla.
In 2022, she portrayed the role of 'Poonguzhali' in Mani Ratnam's historical action drama film Ponniyin Selvan: I and its sequel Ponniyin Selvan: II.In 2023, she appeared in Christopher with Mammootty.[14]Lekshmi made her debut as a producer with Tamil film Gargi.[15]
Media image
Lekshmi is considered among the highest-paid Malayalam actresses.[16] She was named the Kochi Times Most Desirable Women, both in 2018 and 2019, and was placed 4th in the list, in 2020.[17][18][19] Her performance in Mayaanadhi, is regarded as one of the "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade" by Film Companion.[20]
Filmography
† | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Films
Year | Title | Role(s) | Language(s) | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela | Rachel | Malayalam | [21] | |
Mayaanadhi | Aparna Ravi (Appu) | Malayalam | [22] | ||
2018 | Varathan | Priya Paul | Malayalam | [23] | |
2019 | Vijay Superum Pournamiyum | Pinky / Pournami | Malayalam | [24] | |
Argentina Fans Kaattoorkadavu | Meharunnisa Khaderkutty | Malayalam | [25] | ||
Brother's Day | Santa / Peeli | Malayalam | [26] | ||
Action | Meera | Tamil | [27] | ||
2021 | Jagame Thandhiram | Attilla | Tamil | [28] | |
Laughing Budha | Dr. Angel | Malayalam | [29] | ||
Kaanekkaane | Sneha George | Malayalam | [30] | ||
2022 | Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa | Shobi | Tamil | Segment: Nizhal Tharum Idham | [31] |
Archana 31 Not Out | Archana | Malayalam | [32] | ||
Godse | Vaishali | Telugu | [33] | ||
Gargi | Ahalya | Tamil | Also producer | [34] | |
Captain | Kavya | Tamil | [35] | ||
Ponniyin Selvan: I | Poonguzhali | Tamil | [36] | ||
Ammu | Amudha "Ammu" Ravindranath | Telugu | [37] | ||
Kumari | Kumari Devan | Malayalam | [38] | ||
Gatta Kusthi | Keerthy Nair | Tamil | [39] | ||
2023 | Christopher | Lawyer Amina | Malayalam | [14] | |
Ponniyin Selvan: II | Poonguzhali | Tamil | [40] | ||
King of Kotha | Tara | Malayalam | [41] | ||
2024 | Pon Ondru Kanden | Sundari "Sandy" | Tamil | [42] | |
TBA | Thug Life † | TBA | Tamil | Filming | [43] |