: Earned her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress .
Lakshmi has acted in over 200 films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. Below is her essential Tamil filmography, categorized by decade, focusing on her most significant works.
Lakshmi (Yaragudipadi Venkata Mahalakshmi) is a cinematic icon who has appeared in over across five decades. She is famously the only actress to win Filmfare Awards in all four South Indian languages (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam). Tamil Filmography Highlights
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Born on December 7, 1952, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Lakshmi began her acting career as a child artist in the 1960s. She made her debut as a lead actress in the 1971 Tamil film "Thangal," but it was her performance in the 1975 film "Anthazhagan" that gained her recognition.
Lakshmi's filmography boasts an impressive collection of popular videos that continue to entertain audiences to this day. Some of her most popular songs include "Chinna Chinna Aasai" from "Thayilla Vilakku" (1972), "Malaigalin Mayakkam" from "Arangetram" (1973), and "Rangapoopala" from "Pattikada Pattiyatha" (1972). These songs have become timeless classics and are still widely played on television and radio.
– Directed by S. Shankar. She played the affectionate yet firm grandmother, delivering a memorable comedic and emotional performance.
Showing no signs of slowing down, Lakshmi has expanded her repertoire into the streaming era. She starred in the 2023 Amazon Prime series Sweet Kaaram Coffee , proving once again her unmatched on-screen magnetism.
: Another bold K. Balachander classic, which solidified her image as an actor willing to take on controversial, highly complex female roles.
: Directed by K. Balachander, this psychological thriller showcased her ability to excel in layered, dramatic narratives.
A popular sentimental track featuring her alongside Sivaji Ganesan.
During the 1980s, Lakshmi balanced art-house cinema with massive commercial blockbusters, starring opposite stalwarts like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.
Lifetime Achievement Award (1998) and 9 awards across four languages.
Her recent digital debut in this Amazon Prime Video series received praise for its refreshing take on generational stories.