# Aishwarya Lekshmi

Aishwarya Lekshmi (born 6 September 1991) is an Indian actress and producer who works predominantly in Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil films. She has received one Filmfare Award South, one Kerala Film Critics Association Award and three SIIMA Awards.
Aishwarya Lekshmi made her acting debut with the 2017 Malayalam film Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela, which earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South. She went on receive praises for Mayaanadhi (2017), Varathan (2018), Kaanekkaane (2021), Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022), which is her highest grossing release, Ammu (2022), Kumari (2022), Gatta Kusthi (2022) and Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023).

## Early life and career

Lekshmi was born on 6 September 1991 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. She did her schooling at the Holy Angel's Convent Thiruvananthapuram and at Sacred Heart Convent Girls Higher Secondary School, Thrissur. She completed her MBBS degree from Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Ernakulam, in 2017. She later completed her internship at the institute.
Lekshmi has been modelling since 2014. She has appeared on the covers of magazines such as Flower World, Salt Studio, Vanitha and FWD Life. She has modelled for brands such as Chemmanur Jewellers, Karikkineth Silks, La Brenda, Ezva Boutique, Akshaya Jewels and Sri Lakshmi Jewellery among others.

## Career
### Debut and breakthrough (2017-2021)

Lekshmi states that she "never planned on acting", but gave her audition for Althaf Salim's 2017 film Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela starring Nivin Pauly and was cast in a prominent role. She then played an aspiring actress in the romantic thriller Mayaanadhi opposite Tovino Thomas. The film became a major success. Neelima Mohan of The News Minute called her the "heart and soul" of the film and added, "Emotions flit easily across her face—as a lover, the struggling model, the mortified daughter. She is a natural." In 2018, she appeared in Varathan opposite Fahadh Faasil, a box office success. Sajin Shrijith stated, "Aishwarya gets her own mass moment too through her act."
In 2019, Aishwarya had three Malayalam releases: Vijay Superum Pournamiyum opposite Asif Ali, Argentina Fans Kaattoorkadavu opposite Kalidas Jayaram and Brother's Day alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran. She also made her Tamil debut that year, with Action, opposite Vishal. In 2021, she first appeared in the Tamil film Jagame Thandhiram opposite Dhanush, and then had two Malayalam film releases, Laughing Budha and Kaanekkaane opposite Tovino Thomas. Anna MM Vetticad noted, "Tovino and Aishwarya are as immersed in their roles as they usually are, making it hard to unequivocally pass judgement against their characters."

### Expansion and fluctuations (2022-present)

The year 2022 was a turning point in her career with nine film releases. Among these, only Gargi, Ponniyin Selvan: I and Gatta Kusthi emerged as commercial successes. Apart from a cameo in Gargi, which she also co-produced, she appeared in the anthology Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa, in Godse alongside Satyadev, her Telugu debut, in Captain opposite Arya. Ponniyin Selvan: I saw her play Poonguzhali opposite Ashwin Kakumanu. The film emerged as the fifth highest-grossing Tamil film of all time. She received praises for playing the titular role of a teacher in Archana 31 Not Out, a domestic violence victim in Ammu and an orphan in Kumari. For Ammu, Haricharan Pudipeddi of Hindustan Times noted, "As the helpless wife, Aishwarya plays her part so well. This is one of her best performances." Her last release that year was Gatta Kusthi, where she played a wrestler opposite Vishnu Vishal. Navein Darshan of Cinema Express stated, "Aishwarya sells the role effortlessly with both comedy and action."
In 2023, Aishwarya first appeared in Christopher alongside Mammootty. Gayathri Gokul of The Week stated that she does justice to her role. She then reprised her character in the sequel Ponniyin Selvan: II. Later, she appeared opposite Dulquer Salmaan in King of Kotha. Aishwarya's first film of 2024 was Pon Ondru Kanden opposite Ashok Selvan, which simultaneously released on OTT and television.

## Media image

Lekshmi was named the Kochi Times Most Desirable Women, both in 2018 and 2019, and was placed 4th in the list, in 2020. Her performance in Mayaanadhi, is regarded as one of the "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade" by Film Companion.

## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |

### Films

List of Aishwarya Lekshmi film credits :
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Language | Notes |
| 2017 | Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela | Rachel | Malayalam | |
| 2017 | Mayaanadhi | Aparna "Appu" Ravi | Malayalam | |
| 2018 | Varathan | Priya Paul | Malayalam | |
| 2019 | Vijay Superum Pournamiyum | Pinky / Pournami | Malayalam | |
| 2019 | Argentina Fans Kaattoorkadavu | Meharunnisa Khaderkutty | Malayalam | |
| 2019 | Brother's Day | Santa / Peeli | Malayalam | |
| 2019 | Action | Meera | Tamil | |
| 2021 | Jagame Thandhiram | Attilla | Tamil | |
| 2021 | Laughing Budha | Dr. Angel | Malayalam | |
| 2021 | Kaanekkaane | Sneha George | Malayalam | |
| 2022 | Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa | Shobi | Tamil | Segment: "Nizhal Tharum Idham" |
| 2022 | Archana 31 Not Out | Archana | Malayalam | |
| 2022 | Godse | Vaishali | Telugu | |
| 2022 | Gargi | Ahalya | Tamil | Cameo; also producer |
| 2022 | Captain | Kavya | Tamil | |
| 2022 | Ponniyin Selvan: I | Poonguzhali | Tamil | |
| 2022 | Ammu | Amudha "Ammu" Ravindranath | Telugu | |
| 2022 | Kumari | Kumari Devan | Malayalam | also co-producer |
| 2022 | Gatta Kusthi | Keerthi Nair | Tamil | |
| 2023 | Christopher | Advocate Amina Ismail | Malayalam | |
| 2023 | Ponniyin Selvan: II | Poonguzhali | Tamil | |
| 2023 | King of Kotha | Tara | Malayalam | |
| 2024 | Pon Ondru Kanden | Sundari "Sandy" | Tamil | |
| 2024 | Hello Mummy | Stephy | Malayalam | |
| 2025 | Thug Life † | TBA | Tamil | Filming |
| TBA | SYG - Sambarala Yeti Gattu † | TBA | Telugu | Filming |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result | Ref. |
| 2017 | Asianet Comedy Awards | Most Promising Actor | Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela | Won | |
| 2018 | Asianet Film Awards | Best New Face – Female | Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela | Won | |
| 2018 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Female Debut | Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela | Won | |
| 2018 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Female Debut – Malayalam | Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela | Nominated | [67] [68] |
| 2018 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress – Malayalam | Mayaanadhi | Nominated | [67] [68] |
| 2018 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress Critics – Malayalam | Mayaanadhi | Won | [67] [68] |
| 2018 | Kerala Film Critics Association Awards | Second Best Actress | Mayaanadhi | Won | |
| 2018 | Vanitha Film Awards | Most Romantic Heroine | Mayaanadhi | Won | |
| 2018 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Malayalam | Mayaanadhi | Nominated | |
| 2019 | Asiavision Awards | Star of the Year | Varathan | Won | |
| 2019 | CPC Cine Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Varathan | Won | |
| 2019 | Vanitha Film Awards | Best Popular Actress | Varathan | Won | |
| 2019 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Malayalam | Varathan | Nominated | |
| 2019 | Asianet Film Awards | Best Actress | Varathan | Nominated | |
| 2019 | Asianet Film Awards | Best Popular Actress | Varathan | Won | |
| 2019 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress – Malayalam | Varathan | Won | |
| 2022 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress – Malayalam | Kaanekkaane | Won | |
| 2023 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Malayalam | Kumari | Nominated | |
| 2023 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Tamil | Gatta Kusthi | Nominated | |
| 2023 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Supporting Actress – Tamil | Ponniyin Selvan: I | Nominated | |
| 2023 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Film - Tamil | Gargi | Nominated | |
| 2023 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Telugu | Ammu | Nominated | |