Wikipedia

Aishwarya Lekshmi

Aishwarya Lekshmi (born 6 September 1991) is an Indian actress and producer who works predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil films. She has received one Filmfare Award South, one Kerala Film Critics Association Award and three SIIMA Awards.[1]

Aishwarya Lekshmi
Lekshmi in 2017
Born (1991-09-06) 6 September 1991 (age 33)
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
EducationSree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Ernakulam
Occupations
  • Actress
  • producer
Years active2017–present

Lekshmi made her acting debut with the 2017 Malayalam film Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela, which earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South.[2] She went on receive praises for Mayaanadhi (2017), Varathan (2018), Kaanekkaane (2021), Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022), which is her highest grossing release, Ammu (2022), Kumari (2022), Gatta Kusthi (2022) and Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023).[3][4]

Early life and work

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Lekshmi was born on 6 September 1991 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.[5][6][7] She did her schooling at Holy Angel's Convent Thiruvananthapuram, and at Sacred Heart Convent Girls Higher Secondary School, Thrissur.[8] She completed her MBBS degree from Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Ernakulam in 2017. She later completed her internship at the institute.[2]

Lekshmi has been modelling since 2014. 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 and Sri Lakshmi Jewellery among others.[9]

Career

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Debut and breakthrough (2017-2021)

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Lekshmi states that she "never planned on acting", but gave her audition for Althaf Salim's 2017 film Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela starring Nivin Pauly and was cast in a prominent role.[2] She then played an aspiring actress in the romantic thriller Mayaanadhi opposite Tovino Thomas.[10] The film became a major success. Neelima Mohan of The News Minute called her the "heart and soul" of the film and added, "Emotions flit easily across her face—as a lover, the struggling model, the mortified daughter. She is a natural."[11] In 2018, she appeared in Varathan opposite Fahadh Faasil, a box office success.[12] Sajin Shrijith stated, "Aishwarya gets her own mass moment too through her act."[13]

In 2019, Aishwarya had three Malayalam releases: Vijay Superum Pournamiyum opposite Asif Ali,[14] Argentina Fans Kaattoorkadavu opposite Kalidas Jayaram[15] and Brother's Day alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran.[16] She also made her Tamil debut that year, with Action, opposite Vishal.[17] In 2021, she first appeared in the Tamil film Jagame Thandhiram opposite Dhanush,[18] and then had two Malayalam film releases, Laughing Budha and Kaanekkaane opposite Tovino Thomas.[19] Anna MM Vetticad noted, "Tovino and Aishwarya are as immersed in their roles as they usually are, making it hard to unequivocally pass judgement against their characters."[20]

Expansion and fluctuations (2022-present)

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The year 2022 was a turning point in her career with nine film releases. Among these, only Gargi, Ponniyin Selvan: I and Gatta Kusthi emerged as commercial successes. Apart from a cameo in Gargi, which she also co-produced,[21] she appeared in the anthology Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa, in Godse alongside Satyadev, her Telugu debut, in Captain opposite Arya.[22][23] Ponniyin Selvan: I saw her play Poonguzhali opposite Ashwin Kakumanu. The film emerged as the fifth highest-grossing Tamil film of all time.[24] She received praises for playing the titular role of a teacher in Archana 31 Not Out,[25] a domestic violence victim in Ammu and an orphan in Kumari.[26] For Ammu, Haricharan Pudipeddi of Hindustan Times noted, "As the helpless wife, Aishwarya plays her part so well. This is one of her best performances."[27] Her last release that year was Gatta Kusthi, where she played a wrestler opposite Vishnu Vishal.[28] Navein Darshan of Cinema Express stated, "Aishwarya sells the role effortlessly with both comedy and action."[29]

In 2023, Aishwarya first appeared in Christopher alongside Mammootty.[30] Gayathri Gokul of The Week stated that she does justice to her role.[31] She then reprised her character in the sequel Ponniyin Selvan: II.[32] Later, she appeared opposite Dulquer Salmaan in King of Kotha.[33] Aishwarya's first film of 2024 was Pon Ondru Kanden opposite Ashok Selvan, which simultaneously released on OTT and television.[34]

Media image

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Lekshmi in 2017

Lekshmi was named the Kochi Times Most Desirable Women, both in 2018 and 2019, and was placed 4th in the list, in 2020.[35][36][37] Her performance in Mayaanadhi, is regarded as one of the "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade" by Film Companion.[38]

Filmography

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Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Films

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List of Aishwarya Lekshmi film credits
Year Title Role(s) Language Notes Ref.
2017 Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela Rachel Malayalam [39]
Mayaanadhi Aparna "Appu" Ravi [40]
2018 Varathan Priya Paul [41]
2019 Vijay Superum Pournamiyum Pinky / Pournami [42]
Argentina Fans Kaattoorkadavu Meharunnisa Khaderkutty [43]
Brother's Day Santa / Peeli [44]
Action Meera Tamil [45]
2021 Jagame Thandhiram Attilla [46]
Laughing Budha Dr. Angel Malayalam [47]
Kaanekkaane Sneha George [48]
2022 Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa Shobi Tamil Segment: "Nizhal Tharum Idham" [49]
Archana 31 Not Out Archana Malayalam [50]
Godse Vaishali Telugu [51]
Gargi Ahalya Tamil Cameo; also producer [52]
Captain Kavya [53]
Ponniyin Selvan: I Poonguzhali [54]
Ammu Amudha "Ammu" Ravindranath Telugu [55]
Kumari Kumari Devan Malayalam [56]
Gatta Kusthi Keerthi Nair Tamil [57]
2023 Christopher Advocate Amina Ismail Malayalam [58]
Ponniyin Selvan: II Poonguzhali Tamil [59]
King of Kotha Tara Malayalam [60]
2024 Pon Ondru Kanden Sundari "Sandy" Tamil [61]
Hello Mummy † TBA Malayalam Completed [62]
TBA Thug Life † TBA Tamil Filming [63]
SDT 18 † Vasantha Telugu Filming [64]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Film Result Ref.
2017 Asianet Comedy Awards Most Promising Actor Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela Won [65]
2018 Asianet Film Awards Best New Face – Female Won
Filmfare Awards South Best Female Debut Won [66]
South Indian International Movie Awards Best Female Debut – Malayalam Nominated [67]
[68]
Best Actress – Malayalam Mayaanadhi Nominated
Best Actress Critics – Malayalam Won
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards Second Best Actress Won [69]
Vanitha Film Awards Most Romantic Heroine Won [70]
Filmfare Awards South Best Actress – Malayalam Nominated [66]
2019 Asiavision Awards Star of the Year Varathan Won [71]
CPC Cine Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role Won [72]
Vanitha Film Awards Best Popular Actress Won [73]
Filmfare Awards South Best Actress – Malayalam Nominated [74]
Asianet Film Awards Best Actress Nominated [75]
Best Popular Actress Won
South Indian International Movie Awards Best Actress – Malayalam Won [76]
2022 South Indian International Movie Awards Kaanekkaane Won [77]
2023 Filmfare Awards South Best Actress – Malayalam Kumari Nominated [78]
Best Actress – Tamil Gatta Kusthi Nominated [79]
Best Supporting Actress – Tamil Ponniyin Selvan: I Nominated
Best Actress – Telugu Ammu Nominated [80]

References

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  2. ^ a b c "Aishwarya Lekshmi to play Nivin's heroine". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 19 August 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Action (2019)". Irish Film Classification Office. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  4. ^ S, Srivatsan (28 October 2020). "Not lost in translation: Why the Hindi dubbed versions of South Indian films are in demand". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020. The Hindi-dubbed version of Tamil film Action starring Vishal and Tamannaah Bhatia — a film which underperformed critically and commercially upon release — has 74 million views on YouTube in under three weeks of its upload.
  5. ^ "Happy Birthday Aishwarya Lekshmi". The Times of India. 6 September 2020. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Actor Aishwarya Lekshmi tests positive for COVID-19, says she 'took it easy'". The News Minute. 9 April 2021. Archived from the original on 9 April 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
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