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 | |
---|---|
Born | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India | 6 September 1991
Education | Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Ernakulam |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2017–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
editLekshmi 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
editDebut and breakthrough (2017-2021)
editLekshmi 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)
editThe 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
editLekshmi is considered among the highest-paid Malayalam actresses.[citation needed] She 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
edit† | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Films
editYear | 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
editReferences
edit- ^ "Winners: 65th Jio Filmfare Awards (South) 2018". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Action (2019)". Irish Film Classification Office. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Happy Birthday Aishwarya Lekshmi". The Times of India. 6 September 2020. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ FWDmedia (3 August 2017). "Aishwarya Lekshmi: Breathing New Life Into South Indian Cinema". FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "I want to be remembered by the characters I do: 'Mayaanadhi' Aishwarya Lekshmi to TNM". The News Minute. 17 January 2018. Archived from the original on 8 January 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
- ^ "'Destiny's child' Aishwarya Lekshmi: Meet the debutant heroine of Nivin Pauly's Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ^ "'Mayaanadhi' actress Aishwarya Lekshmi opens up about the film, Tovino". The Times of India. 23 December 2017. Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
- ^ Manoj Kumar R. (4 January 2018). "The best Malayalam films of 2017: Take Off, Angamaly Diaries and Ramaleela find place in the list". The Indian Express. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
- ^ M. K., Surendhar (5 October 2018). "Devadas earns Rs 29 cr in four-day opening weekend; Fahadh Faasil's Varathan rakes in record breaking numbers". Firstpost. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Varathan Review: A blistering and immensely satisfying revenge thriller". Cinemaexpress.xom. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- ^ "Vijay Superum Pournamiyum' movie pooja held in Kochi". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 December 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ "Kalidas and Aishwarya Lekshmi are classmates in Midhun Manuel Thomas film Argentina Fans Kaattoorkadavu". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ George, Vijay (5 September 2019). "'Brother's Day' is a family thriller, says Kalabhavan Shajohn". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
- ^ "Action Movie Review". The Times of India. 15 November 2019. Archived from the original on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
- ^ Pudipeddi, Haricharan (28 June 2021). "Karthik Subbaraj on criticism for Jagame Thandhiram: 'It's got lot of love and hate'". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ "'Kaanekkaane': Tovino Thomas and Aishwarya Lekshmi team up once again". The Times of India. 26 September 2020. Archived from the original on 13 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ "Kaanekkaane movie review: Riveting cinema with a contentious take on lapses of conscience". Firstpost. 20 September 2021. Archived from the original on 20 September 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ "Aishwarya Lekshmi Breaks Down At Her Production 'Gargi' Press Meet". 7 July 2022. Archived from the original on 7 July 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
- ^ "Godse Movie Review: Satyadev shines in this message-oriented mystery". The Times of India. 17 June 2022.
- ^ "Captain Movie Review: Arya's film is poor man's Predator". India Today. 8 September 2022. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022.
- ^ "Ponniyin Selvan I box office: Aishwarya Rai-starrer crosses ₹500 crore worldwide, only the second Tamil film to do so". Hindustan Times. 18 November 2022. Archived from the original on 18 November 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ^ "Archana 31 not out review: Aishwarya Lekshmi shines in tiring watch". The Indian Express. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ Praveen, S. r (28 October 2022). "'Kumari' movie review: Immersive fantasy-horror drama pulled down by a shallow script". The Hindu.
- ^ "Ammu movie review: Chilling story of a woman's fight against domestic violence". Hindustan Times. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
- ^ "'Gatta Kusthi' box office collection day 1: Vishnu Vishal starrer mints Rs 4 crore". The Times of India. 3 December 2022. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
Though it received a minimal response during the initial hours, with good reviews from critics and the movie audience, through word of mouth, the film is slowly picking up its pace and it is expected that over the weekend it will make a good collection at the box office.
- ^ "Gatta Kusthi Movie Review: This effective comedy needed more sensitivity". Cinema Express. 2 December 2022. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
- ^ "Christopher Movie: ക്രിസ്റ്റഫർ കളക്ഷൻ റിപ്പോർട്ട് പുറത്ത്; കേരളത്തിൽ നേടിയത് ഇത്രയും" [Christopher Movie: Christopher Collection Report Out; Kerala has achieved this much]. Zee Malayalam News. 10 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ "'Christopher' review: Mammootty stands out in a stylish thriller that lacks depth". The Week.
- ^ Purushothaman, Kirubhakar (1 May 2023). ""Ponniyin Selvan 2 review: Mani Ratnam finally takes some creative liberty and it works"". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 6 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
- ^ Menon, Vishal (24 August 2023). "King of Kotha Review: A Clever, Self-Aware Action Drama Turns Into An Empty Postcard Of Daggers And Swagger". Film Companion.
- ^ Chandar, Bhuvanesh (15 April 2024). "'Pon Ondru Kanden' movie review: A vexingly dull, caricaturish rom-com that tests your patience". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 15 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
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- ^ "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
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- ^ Soman, Deepa. "Vijay Superum Pournamiyum' poster has its stylish lead pair striking a pose". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 December 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
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