Actor-producer Lakshmi Manchu has offered an unfiltered insight into the emotional and professional burdens she has carried as the daughter of Telugu cinema veteran Mohan Babu. In a candid conversation with Hauterrfly, she spoke about navigating patriarchy, grappling with legacy and confronting long-suppressed trauma that shaped her evolution as an artiste.
‘The weight of legacy never goes away’
Lakshmi admitted that expectations tied to her father’s towering reputation have followed her throughout her life. Despite carving her own path as a performer and creator, she said the “heaviness” of belonging to a celebrated film family is difficult to detach from, especially in an industry driven by tradition and hierarchy.
She recalled once feeling the need to rebel against these structures, hoping to prove critics wrong. Over time, she realised that changing people who resist change is an exhausting pursuit, prompting her to adapt her approach rather than continuously clash with entrenched systems.
Growing up in a household dominated by male performers, Lakshmi said every professional choice she makes carries an implicit sense of responsibility, often making her wonder how her decisions reflect on the men in her family.
Battling inadequacy and rebuilding from ‘nothingness’
Lakshmi revealed that she struggled with feelings of inadequacy from a young age, often being told she would “amount to nothing” on her own. Instead of succumbing to that belief, she said she embraced the emptiness as a starting point, deciding that beginning from “nothingness” meant her trajectory could only rise.
Calling out gender gaps in South cinema
Reflecting on the long-held belief that many male actors hesitate to encourage their daughters or sisters to join films, Lakshmi noted that the mindset remains deeply entrenched. She pointed out the limited visibility of women from prominent film families in the South.
Lakshmi praised Sitara Ghattamaneni — daughter of Mahesh Babu and Namrata Shirodkar — for her growing presence, crediting Namrata’s progressive influence at home. Jokingly, she added, “If Namrata and Mahesh don’t bring their daughter out, I’ll beat both of them.”
Mahesh Babu is currently filming SS Rajamouli’s ambitious project Varanasi, which also marks Priyanka Chopra’s return to Indian cinema in 2027.
Revisiting a traumatic childhood experience
Lakshmi also recalled a deeply painful incident from her teenage years, revealing that she faced harassment in public transport at the age of fifteen. Confused and disturbed at the time, she later learned that many of her friends had faced similar violations. The realisation, she said, underscored how pervasive such experiences are across age groups and backgrounds.
Conclusion
Through her reflections, Lakshmi Manchu painted a raw and honest picture of the intersecting pressures of legacy, gender norms and personal trauma — and how she continues to navigate them while forging her own space in Indian cinema.