It's a blessing: Lakshmi Manchu on being compared to father Mohan Babu

Lakshmi Manchu has often been compared to her dad Mohan Babu due to her look and voice

Actor Lakshmi Manchu says that she feels honoured every time people compare her with her father Tollywood legend Mohan Babu.

“He comes whenever he wants. The struggle is to keep him out. These comparisons happen because we are quite similar (in looks and body language). It is a blessing to be compared to him and I am humbled,” she told DH in an exclusive interview.

Lakshmi made her Tollywood debut with the 2009 release Anaganaga O Dheerudu, which featured her in the role of an evil sorceress. The star delivered a sincere performance in the fantasy drama bagging a Nandi Award for her work. The film starred Siddharth and Shruti Haasan in the lead and made a decent impact at the box office.

“While every role is challenging in its own way, this one was a bit more (difficult) as we had to wear heavy costumes,” she said.

Lakshmi subsequently consolidated her standing in Tollywood with films such as Uu Kodathara? Ulikki Padathara, Gundello Godari and Dongaata.

The star made her Bollywood debut with director Ram Gopal Varma’s Department but things did not go as planned as the movie proved to be a big flop. The star’s association with the Tamil film industry, however, proved to be a lot more memorable as she garnered attention with her work in Kaatrin Mozhi, a remake of the Hindi film Tumhari Sulu. She also part of Mani Ratnam’s Kadal.

After making a name for herself in the film industry, she ventured into the web space with the series Mrs Subbalakshmi, which clicked with the target audience but did not find wide patronage. Lakshmi subsequently managed to connect with the pan-India audience with the anthology Pitha Kathalu, the second OTT outing of her career. She essayed the role of a politician in the Ramula segment, hitting the right note with her work.

“It was an experience as I had to speak in a rural Telangana accent and there was no dubbing,” she said.

Ramula revolved around what happens when the paths of two women from different backgrounds cross following a twist of fate. It featured a dark and disturbing climax, which left the audience divided.