EXCLUSIVE! Lakshmi Manchu On Most Challenging Role, Choosing Projects As Actor-Producer & More

Lakshmi Manchu exclusive interview: She's a busy bee as she is juggling between her personal and professional work in the USA, but mind you, she will never back down from a commitment. As Filmibeat interacted with the supremely talented and graceful Lakshmi Manchu, the diva spoke about working as an actor-producer and the methods that she follows while prepping for a role.

Here are excerpts from the interview-

1. Lakshmi, you have had an extensive career in the film industry. What has been your most challenging role to date, and why?

I feel that every character that I have done till now, right from the beginning of my career has been very challenging. Be it Anaganaga O Dheerudu, Gundello Godari or my latest release 'Yakshini' on Disney Plus Hotstar. I spent more time on it than on the ground. I guess challenging roles just find me.

2. Can you share some insights into your process for preparing for a new role? Do you have any specific routines or methods you follow?

I went to school in America at Beverly Hills Playhouse taught by Milton Katselas and Richard Lawson. Even till today, if there is a new role where I find difficulty in approaching a character, I always call Richard and talk to him to understand how do I dig deeper and how do I find more meaning to what I am doing in this character and how do I bring humour, charm and irony even to the most difficult roles is what I look for and to be fully prepared and know my lines before I go on set.

3. As someone who has worked in various film industries, including Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi, how do you navigate the differences and similarities between these industries?

I am an artiste. I started my career in Hollywood and then when I came to India, I didn't think I would be given an opportunity to be in Telugu. You approach it as any other language, be it Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, or English. You see where the character is coming because in India, we have different cultures, traditions and feelings towards the same subject. So, it's important to talk to locals, your director, writer to really see how they wrote this character and then bring what is your own.

4. What motivates you to take on the role of a producer, and how do you choose the projects you want to produce?

Producing is something that I did when other people didn't want to make the movies I wanted to. I am not used to taking no for an answer. You just need to figure it out and as a woman, in this country, you are raised with more nos' and yes's. So, I guess being a Producer just came from that.

5. How does hosting compare to acting, and what do you enjoy most about each?

Hosting is completely different from acting. Hosting is your here and now, reading the audience, the crowd and who the person in front of you. Acting is when you are going into another character, another person. You are imbibing another being inside you. So, they are two completely different feelings and both are enjoyable for me. So, i cannot pick one over the other.

6. Philanthropy is an important aspect of your life. Can you tell us more about the causes you support and what drives your commitment to these causes?

It's important for all of us to understand that the chances of we being born the way we are with our eyes, arms, legs, mind, everything intact is a fluke and blessing. All we can do is look back and do our bit for the universe in gratitude in areas where we can support and strive to make other people's lives better. It is one of the most important purposes of my life and I do it with gratitude for the life I have and to be able to influence for the better life of those who are less privileged.

7. With the rise of digital platforms, how do you see the future of traditional cinema and television evolving?

I think art has always evolved with time. Let it be from the time of Greek theatre to your YouTube on phones today, artistes always find the medium and deliver what that particular medium needs. I don't think you will stop going to theatres, or stop watching TV. What that means in evolving is something we need to wait and see.

8. ⁠Are there any upcoming projects you are excited about?

I have quite a few interesting projects coming up and I am super excited for them. I have something that I am doing with Amazon and I have something with Netflix. There's also a movie with my dad that's ready for release called 'Agni Nakshatram' alongside 2 other Tamil projects that I have completed. I am super excited about this.