Lakshmi Manchu

Lakshmi Manchu
Born	8 October 1977 Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Other name	Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna
Nationality	Indian
Occupations	Actress, producer, television host
Years active	1981–present
Spouse	Andy Srinivasan (m. 2006)
Children	1 daughter
Parents	Mohan Babu (father) Vidya Devi (mother)
Relatives	Vishnu Manchu (brother) Manchu Manoj (brother)

Lakshmi Manchu is an Indian actress, producer and television host who works primarily in Telugu cinema. She has also appeared in American television series, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam films, theatre productions and digital streaming projects. Known for her versatility, she has balanced mainstream cinema with experimental roles and international exposure.

Early life and education

Lakshmi Manchu was born as Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna on 8 October 1977 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, into a prominent Telugu film family. She is the daughter of actor and producer Mohan Babu and Vidya Devi.

She completed her higher education in the United States and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Oklahoma City University. Her academic training and exposure to international theatre and television influenced her multidisciplinary career.

Career

Early career and international work

Lakshmi began her career as a child artist and later established herself in the United States with appearances in American television series. She featured in shows such as Las Vegas, Desperate Housewives, Boston Legal and Mystery ER. She also appeared in international commercials and independent projects.

In 2006, she directed, produced and acted in the short film Perfect Lives, which was screened at international film festivals.

Telugu cinema

After returning to India, Lakshmi became an active presence in Telugu cinema, appearing in a variety of roles across genres. She received critical acclaim for her performances in films such as Anaganaga O Dheerudu (2011), Gundello Godari (2013) and Chandamama Kathalu (2014).

She made her Hindi film debut with Department (2012) and later acted in Tamil and Malayalam films, expanding her regional filmography.

Theatre and digital platforms

Lakshmi has also been active in theatre, notably performing the role of Miss Trunchbull in the Telugu stage adaptation of Matilda. With the rise of OTT platforms, she transitioned into digital content with projects such as Pitta Kathalu (Netflix), Yakshini (Disney+ Hotstar) and The Traitors India (Prime Video).

Television hosting and production

As a television host, Lakshmi Manchu has hosted several talk shows and social-impact programs, gaining popularity for her conversational style. She is also a producer under the banner Sree Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures, which has produced numerous Telugu films.

Filmography

Selected films

• Anaganaga O Dheerudu (2011)
• Department (2012)
• Gundello Godari (2013)
• Chandamama Kathalu (2014)
• Kadal (2013)
• Kaatrin Mozhi (2018)
• Monster (2022)

Web series

• Pitta Kathalu (2021)
• Yakshini (2024)
• The Traitors India (2025)

Awards and honours

• Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu
• Nandi Awards (multiple)
• Alumni Hall of Honour, Oklahoma City University (2013)

Personal life

Lakshmi Manchu married Andy Srinivasan, an information technology professional, in 2006. The couple has a daughter born through surrogacy. She divides her time between professional commitments and family life.

See also

• Telugu cinema
• Indian film producers
• Indian television presenters