The tall and sprightly Lakshmi Menon has every reason to smile. The actor has been a part of big banner films ever since her debut in Kumki and is working with reputed directors and heroes too. Now, with four more films in hand, and a debut in Mollywood, she’s in a jubilant mood. The actor talks to City Express about rumours, link-ups and career choices.
Lakshmi is currently part of Jigarthanda opposite Siddharth, Naan Sivappu Manithan (NSM) opposite Vishal, Sippai with Gautham Karthik and Manja Pai with Vimal. She has stepped into Mollywood in a film opposite Dileep as well. But she’s serious about her schooling at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Kochi and is currently writing her Plus One exams. “Studying is very important and education is a must. Films don’t offer any guarantee. So I juggle my schedules to balance both career and education.”
When most heroines shy away from it, the actor has reportedly done a kissing scene with Vishal in NSM. She explains, “I’m a director’s actor. Since the kissing scene was important for the script, I viewed it as a professional. I had no qualms in doing it.”
Apart from her professionalism, her bonhomie with all her heroes has been viewed quite favourably as well. She says, “I’m friendly with everyone. So, all my heroes - from Vikram Prabhu and Sasikumar to the present lot - automatically feel comfortable with me.” Rubbishing rumours of link ups with Vishal with whom she’s been paired twice so far in Pandiya Naadu and NSM, she says, “Vishal and Gautham Karthik are two of my very good friends in the industry. I’m not interested in love. Right now all my focus is on my career.”
In Jigarthanda, she plays an idly shop owner. Talking about her co-star Siddharth, she gushes, “I’ve admired him since my childhood. I never dreamt I would actually work with him one day!”
Lakshmi’s also excited about her line-up of different roles. In Sippai, she’s a social worker, while in NSM, she plays a typical Chennai ponnu. She plays the role of a bubbly doctor in Manja Pai. Though she plays a trendy girl in some films, she’s in no hurry to shed her homely image. “My fans prefer me in the homely look. I act for them, so I’m happy to abide by their choice.”