LAKSHMI GOPALASWAMY - INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCER

Lakshmi Gopalaswamy is a South Indian film actress and a classical dancer, qualified in Bharatanatyam. She has acted in several Malayalam, Kannada and Tamil films. She had also acted in some TV serials. Her debut Malayalam film Arayannangalude Veedu alongside Mammootty won her the Kerala State Film Award for the best supporting actress.She was a judge on Asianet's dance show Vodafone Thakadhimi.

Lakshmi Gopalaswamy was born in a Kannada family in Bangalore, Karnataka to M.K Gopalaswamy and Dr.Uma Gopalaswamy.She has a younger brother, Arjun. Her Mother is a Scholar of music who prompted Lakshmi to learn and take career in Bharatanatyam.

In 2007, Lakshmi again received the Kerala State Film Award for the second best actress for her performances in Thaniye directed by debutant film director Babu Thiruvalla and Paradesi directed by P. T. Kunju Mohammed. For the same films, she also received the "Atlas Film Critics Award" for the best woman actor.

In 2010, she secured a dream role in Aptharakshaka directed by P. Vasu, opposite South Super Star Dr.Vishnuvardhan, an Indian star of 220 movies in five different languages. In this Kannada film, her splendid performance as a dancer possessed by an evil spirit has been praised by critics and the film going public as well.The film went on to become a mega hit that run for 35 continuous weeks in the theatres and it was the last Kannada film of the super star. She has also acted in films like Vishnu Sena and Namyajamanru with the late star. Talking about the success of the film, Lakshmi in a recent interview said "I am satisfied with the kind of response I am getting from the audience for my performance in it. I had a desire to act with Vishnuji again and that is fulfilled with this movie."

She acted in the Tamil serial titled Lakshmi and has won much praise.

The acceptance in Malayalam cinema that Lakshmi has received from the audience has made her feel much obliged to Malayalam filmgoers. Her success has also got her offers from her home ground, Kannada film industry, too. Her debut Malayalam film Arayannangalude Veedu got her the Kerala State Award for the best supporting actress. Her second film Kochu Kochu Santhosangal too brought in much acclaim for her acting. Acting afforded her a different kind of exposure. "Initially I was intimidated by the profession, I was too shy to be famous," but soon felt at home.

She says dance will always remain her fave metier; she loves playing good roles in films, like those that integrates semi-classical dance tracks, like Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal, in which two classical dance numbers became catchy tunes all over Kerala. Her star status in film firmament notwithstanding, she dreams of metamorphosing into a top-notch dancer.

Lakshmi Gopalaswamy is a serious student of Bharathanatyam and a dancer of repute. She has been performing since the age of 12, experiencing the inherent satisfaction that takes her through the fascinating journey that art unfolds to devoted seekers. Endowed with classical features, she has grace and a naturalness that complements her attractive personality, beautiful face and expressive eyes to this art form.

Awards

Kerala State Film Awards:

2000:Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress – Arayannangalude Veedu

2007: Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress – Thainye

Filmfare Awards South

2007 : Best Supporting Actress – Paradeshi

Asianet Film Awards

2001 - Best Newface award - Arayannangalude Veedu

Kerala Film Critic Awards

2007 : Best Actress - Thainye