Lakshmi Manchu: Acting in her blood - TeluguPeople.com News

Hyderabad: She wishes she were two people sometimes. 'I wish there was another one of me because I like to do everything on my own, in my way,' she says. Though she's managing quite well with just one of her actually.

She's juggling between acting, producing films and planning new television shows at the moment. 'I think I operate best when I have so much to do back-to-back. So I always have a lot on my hands,' remarks Lakshmi.

Perhaps she just loves the constant adrenaline rush that goes with the job. 'I think I do,' she says laughing. 'I have so much to offer to myself that I am afraid that I wouldn't be able to get it all out,' she adds.

She's very excited about bagging her maiden Bollywood venture, Ram Gopal Varma's Department. She's playing Sanjay Dutt's wife in the film.

'RGV has treated the character very differently. I thought it would be the typical cotton sari-clad wife of a police officer type of role. But he told me I can wear my jeans and do my yoga and be myself. It's a very interesting characterization,' she shares talking about her role. 'I have also uttered profanities on camera for the first time, I hope they keep it,' she says laughing.

Lakshmi Manchu is simultaneously producing OoKodathara and UlikkiPadathara, with her brother Manoj playing the lead in it.

'I am not one of those producers who just sit and drink juice. I love getting creatively involved with the production. I am more of a line producer actually and love interacting with people.'

Lakshmi is set to launch two new television shows as well. 'I am planning to launch a new game show and a television drama series soon,' she quips.

Ask her why TV and pat comes the answer, 'I need some constant income in life. You guys will probably laugh at it but the truth is my salary is not enough. I asked my dad for a raise, he decreased it by 25% instead. So I am fighting against odds to make something happen,' she says in jest.

It's hard to imagine she originally wanted to be a computer professional. 'I went to the US to study Computer Science and get a job in Oracle and settle down. That's what was expected of Telugu girls coming from traditional families,' she admits.

An accidental visit to a play changed the course of her life literally. 'I don't even remember the name of the play, but I was just so mesmerized by the experience. The next day I went to my counsellor and told her that I want to study theatre,' she confesses.

Her counselor tried dissuading her but Lakshmi had found her calling and her mind was made up. 'When I was a kid I secretly wanted to act but never had the courage to say it in public because my family is very conservative,' she explains.

'I still have to sneak my clothes out of the house sometimes,' she adds.

Perhaps that's why she chose to pursue her acting career in the US for a longtime. 'It was a conscious decision. Here, I am Mohan Babu's daughter or Vishnu and Manoj's sister but there I was just Lakshmi Manchu and it did not matter where I came from. I wanted to create an identity of my own,' she explains. She did a lot of theatre and TV shows in the US.

Be it in her TV shows or public appearances she's never been shy of wearing her sensuality on her sleeve. 'I am just as sensual here as I would be overseas. Perhaps people did not expect me to be that way but I am very comfortable with my body and am not ashamed of showing it,' she contends.

Also, it is very unusual for ladies from leading film families to take up acting. So she's a bit of a path-breaker in a land where sons are considered to be the rightful claimants of their parent's legacy.

'It makes me so angry when only the sons are given all the reins. I am not a feminist but I think as human beings we all have equal right to do whatever we want to do. I sometimes tell my dad he's invested all the eggs in those two baskets while I am the golden goose,' she says smiling. 'I think my dad is still getting his head around the fact that I am acting,' she adds laughing.

'I just want to crack the misconception that women cannot carry forward the family legacy as far as acting is concerned,' she says signing off.