Lakshmi Manchu opens up on legacy pressure, gender barriers, and patriarchy in Telugu cinema; says, 'I’ll beat Mahesh Babu and Namrata Shirodkar if...'

Lakshmi Manchu has openly spoken up about the emotional, professional, and cultural pressures she has faced throughout her life being the daughter of Telugu cinema icon Mohan Babu. In conversation with Hauterrfly, Lakshmi reflected on the weight of legacy, ingrained patriarchy, and the silent expectations that continue to shape her journey in the industry.

When asked whether being born into a popular film family intensified the pressure, Lakshmi said the sense of scrutiny and expectation has never left her side. She acknowledged that even after years of building her own identity, as an actor, producer, and award-winning artiste, the shadow of lineage remains impossible to shed. In an industry where tradition and hierarchy are deeply rooted, she admitted that finding her place has been a continuous process of balancing self-worth with inherited burdens.

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While addressing the long-standing belief that male actors in South India hesitate to encourage their daughters or sisters to enter films, Lakshmi questioned the glaring lack of female representation from film families. She praised Mahesh Babu and Namrata Shirodkar’s daughter Sitara for her visible, growing presence and applauded Namrata’s progressive parenting. In a light-hearted moment, Lakshmi quipped, “If Namrata and Mahesh don’t bring their daughter out, I’ll beat both of them.”