Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna (born 8 October 1977) is an Indian actress, film producer, and television presenter who works in Telugu cinema and worked in American television. The daughter of senior actor Mohan Babu, Manchu holds a bachelor's degree in theatre from Oklahoma City University. She has garnered two Filmfare Awards South and two Nandi Awards.
Manchu made her acting debut with the American television series Las Vegas, where she played the minor role of Sarasvati Kumar, the love interest of James Lesure. She then appeared in one episode of each of the following series: Desperate Housewives, Late Nights with my Lover, and Mystery ER. She has also appeared in commercials for Toyota, AARP, and Chevrolet.
In 2006, she directed, produced, and acted in Perfect Lives, a short film that was showcased at the Wilshire Fine Arts Theater as part of the La Femme Film Festival in Los Angeles. She made her theatre debut as Miss Trunchbull in the adaptation of Roald Dahl's Matilda, directed by Taher Ali Baig, in 2016.
Early life and family Lakshmi Manchu is the only daughter of actor Mohan Babu and Vidya Devi. She has a younger brother, Vishnu Manchu, and a younger paternal half-brother, Manoj Manchu. She was born in Chennai.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acEgnB11Tig Lakshmi Manchu Interview
Manchu married Andy Srinivasan, an IT professional from Chennai, in 2006. The couple has a daughter born through surrogacy. They settled in Hyderabad for a few years before moving to Mumbai.
Career Having started her career at the age of 4, Manchu has been in 20 feature films in India and a few minor television roles in the U.S. She co-owns Sree Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures along with her family members, a production company that has produced fifty-six feature films to date.
In December 2011, she was signed on to portray a supporting role in Mani Ratnam's Tamil film Kadal after a successful audition. Portraying the role of Celina, a poor village woman, she expected this film to be her breakthrough but hardly got offers in Tamil after the film's release.
Filmography
Film Acting roles Year Title Role Language Notes2008 The Ode Najma English 2009 Dead Air Gabbi Thank You for Washing Phoebe Short film 2010 Jhummandi Naadam Narrator Telugu Guest appearance 2011 Anaganaga O Dheerudu Irendri Dongala Mutha Shiva 2012 Department Satya Bhosle Hindi Uu Kodathara? Ulikki Padathara? Amrutha Valli Telugu 2013 Kadal Celina Tamil Gundello Godari Chitra Telugu Doosukeltha Herself Special appearance 2014 Chandamama Kathalu Lisa Smith A day in the life of Lakshmi Manchu's feet Herself Sound Short film 2015 Budugu Pooja Telugu Dongaata Shruti Also singer for "Yendiro Yendiro" Size ZeroHerself Special appearanceInji Iduppazhagi Tamil 2016 Guntur Talkies Herself Telugu 2017 Basmati Blues Sita English Lakshmi Bomb Lakshmi & Priya Telugu 2018 W/O Ram Deeksha Kaatrin Mozhi Maria Tamil 2020 Maa Vintha Gaadha Vinuma Herself Telugu Special appearance2021Pitta KathaluSwaroopakkaAnthology film2022MonsterDurga / Catherine AlexandraMalayalamDebut Malayalam film2024AdiparvamNagulapuram NagamaTelugu2025Daksha: The Deadly ConspiracyDaksha2026 Pookie Dr. Chithra Tamil Lechindi Mahila Lokam Telugu
Producer Year Title 2005 Sri 2008 Nenu Meeku Telusa? 2010 Jhummandi Naadam 2012 Uu Kodathara? Ulikki Padathara? 2013 Gundello Godari 2015 Dongaata
Television Acting roles Year Title Role Network Language Notes2004–07 Las Vegas Sarasvati Kumar NBC English Recurring role (11 episodes)2006 Boston Legal Juror No. 6 ABC "Shock and Oww!" (season 2: episode 18)2008 Mystery ER Dr. Baker Discovery Health "Eating Away/A Model's Malady" (season 2: episode 5)Desperate Housewives Nabila ABC "Kids Ain't Like Everybody Else" (season 5: episode 3)2019 Mrs. Subbalakshmi Mrs. Subbalakshmi ZEE5 Telugu 2024 Yakshini Jwalamukhi Disney+ Hotstar 2025 The Traitors Contestant Prime Video Hindi 18th place
As a host or judge Year Title RoleNetwork2008 Lakshmi Talk Show HostZee Telugu2011 Prematho Mee Lakshmi ETV2012 Luck Unte Lakshmi2013 Super Jodi Judge2013 Doosukeltha Host2016 Mee Kosam2016–2018MemusaithamGemini TV2018 MaharaniZee Telugu2021 Aha Bhojanambu Aha
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2011Filmfare Awards SouthBest Supporting Actress – Telugu Anaganaga O Dheerudu 2013 Gundello Godari2014Chandamama Kathalu 2011 South Indian International Movie Awards Best Actor in a Negative Role – TeluguAnaganaga O Dheerudu 2013Best Supporting Actress – TeluguGundello Godari 2014Best Supporting Actress – TeluguChandamama Kathalu 2015Best Actress – TeluguDongaata 2011 Nandi Awards Best Villain Anaganaga O Dheerudu 2014Best Supporting Actress Chandamama Kathalu 2011CineMAA AwardsBest Supporting ActressAnaganaga O Dheerudu Santosham Film AwardsBest Villain Hyderabad Times Film Awards Best Actor in a Negative Role - Female 2013Oklahoma City UniversityAlumni Hall of Honour Award
References
External links Official website