# Laya (actress)

Laya (born 21 October 1981) is a former Indian actress and Kuchipudi dancer known for her work primarily in Telugu films alongside a few Malayalam, Kannada and Tamil films. Laya first appeared as a child actor in Bhadram Koduko (1992) and later she started working as a lead actress with Swayamvaram (1999). She is runner up in the Star 2000 contest conducted to introduce new talent and cast them in Paradesi movie and she has won three Nandi Awards including Special Jury Award and two Nandi Awards for Best Actress in consecutive years for Manoharam (2000) and Preminchu (2001).

## Personal life

Laya was born on 21 October 1981 in a Telugu Bramhin family in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. She attended Nirmala High School, Vijayawada. Her mother was a music teacher in Nirmala High School, Vijayawada and her father was a doctor. During her school days, she was a state level Chess player. Later, she moved to Hyderabad and participated in multiple stage shows as a classical dancer, having performed in more than 50 stage shows. She has a bachelor's degree in Computer Applications. She married Dr. Sri Ganesh Gorty in 2006 and settled in Los Angeles, California. The couple has a daughter and a son.

## Filmography
### Film

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
| 1992 | Bhadram Koduko | Lead female | Telugu | Debut film Child Artist |
| 1999 | Swayamvaram | Anu | Telugu | Debut film in a lead role |
| 1999 | Maa Balaji | Sujatha | Telugu | |
| 2000 | Manoharam | Usha | Telugu | |
| 2000 | Manasunna Maaraju | Amrutha | Telugu | |
| 2000 | Kodanda Ramudu | Latha | Telugu | |
| 2000 | Devullu | Sita Devi | Telugu | |
| 2001 | Ramma Chilakamma | Gayatri | Telugu | |
| 2001 | Hanuman Junction | Sangeetha | Telugu | |
| 2001 | Preminchu | Meena | Telugu | |
| 2001 | Maa Aavida Meeda Ottu Mee Aavida Chala Manchidi | Kanaka Durga | Telugu | |
| 2001 | Naalo Unna Prema | Hema | Telugu | |
| 2001 | Maduve Aagona Baa | Shanthi | Kannada | |
| 2002 | Gelupu | | Telugu | |
| 2002 | Kondaveeti Simhasanam | Varala | Telugu | |
| 2002 | Sri Bannari Amman | Bhavani | Tamil | |
| 2002 | Siva Rama Raju | Rama Raju's wife | Telugu | |
| 2002 | Nee Premakai | Anjali | Telugu | |
| 2002 | Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu | Neerja | Telugu | |
| 2003 | Pellamtho Panenti | Sireesha | Telugu | |
| 2003 | Donga Ramudu and Party | Vasantha Lakshmi | Telugu | |
| 2003 | Missamma | Ratna Mala | Telugu | |
| 2003 | Nenu Pelliki Ready | Bhavana | Telugu | |
| 2004 | Veera Kannadiga | Lakshmi | Kannada | |
| 2004 | Vijayendra Varma | Indira | Telugu | |
| 2004 | Gajendra | Indhu | Tamil | |
| 2004 | Swarabhishekam | Surekha | Telugu | |
| 2005 | Adirindayya Chandram | Rajyam | Telugu | |
| 2005 | Alice In Wonderland | Sofia | Malayalam | |
| 2005 | Thommanum Makkalum | Poonkavanam | Malayalam | |
| 2005 | Udayon | Maya | Malayalam | |
| 2005 | Chanakya | Anjali | Tamil | |
| 2006 | Rashtram | Celeine | Malayalam | |
| 2006 | Gandugali Kumara Rama | Ramale | Kannada | |
| 2006 | Tata Birla Madhyalo Laila | Mahalakshmi | Telugu | |
| 2010 | Brahmalokam To Yamalokam Via Bhulokam | Goddess Aadi Parashakti | Telugu | Cameo Appearance |
| 2018 | Amar Akbar Anthony | Aishwarya's mother | Telugu | Cameo Appearance |

### Television

* Mega Bangaram Mee Kosam - 1 on Gemini TV as a host
* Sambavi on ETV
* Padutha Theeyaga on ETV as a host

## Awards and nominations
### Nandi Awards

* Special Jury Award - Swayamvaram (1999)
* Best Actress - Manoharam (2000)
* Best Actress - Preminchu (2001)