25 years after its initial release, Padayappa (1999) not only found its way back into theatres, but also found a wider audiences who are discovering newer and finer facets of the film. Conversations around the film may revolve around Rajinikanth primarily, but the film has memorable scenes for every character including actor Lakshmi, who essayed the strong-willed mother of the titular character played by Rajinikanth.
In Padayappa (1999), Lakshmi as Savithri's sharp tongued responses to taunts and shamings, especially when she counters her self-centred brother, by standing with Padayappa's choice of wanting to marry Vasundhara (Soundarya) instead of Neelambari (Ramya Krishnan), her brother's daughter. Lakshmi's performance in the film has been well-recieved by the audiences who has discovered it for the first time and rewatched it. Here are some films of Lakshmi which features her as the voice of reason.
As Vatsala, the voice of reason in tempestuous household, Lakshmi in Navagraham (1970), is a catalyst in trying to unify the family. In Navagraham (1970), Vatsala lives in the house of partriach Somu, and seven others, who bicker continously. When Baalu (Nagesh), a thief enters the house to rob them, he finds out a life-changing secret, that changes him and the family.
Before Rajinikanth was a jailer, Lakshmi was Leela Chowdhry, the Superintendent of Police for Madras Central Jail. Udaya Geetham which follows the story of an incarcerated singer, Arun (Mohan), who tries to do right by the people he cares about. During his prison sentence, he learns of a terrible secret that connects, Shanthi (Revathi), a woman he is pursuing, and Leela.
In Samsaram Adhu Minsaram (1985), Lakshmi essays the role of Uma, a well meaning woman, who tries her best to reunite a family split due to peaking egos. Along with a hilarious Manorama as Kannamma, she strives to find a solution to a happy place that she once cherished. Lakshmi won the Cinema Express Award for Best Actress Tamil for the film.
In her second outing as a police officer, Lakshmi stars as the honest DSP Lalitha, who strives hard to protect a woman who is framed for a murder she did not commit. The caper, also stars Gauthami, Mansoor Ali Khan and K Bhagyaraj, from a story by the latter.
After playing a strong willed mother in Padayappa (1999), she assumed the role of a well meaning woman, who wants to do good by her widowed daughter-in-law. Beyond Lakshmi's perfomance, the film's story, AR Rahman's music, and the performances of Arjun and Meena were applauded. Meena recieved the Cinema Express Award for Best Actress Tamil.
In one of her latest Tamil film performances, she returns to the assertive government officer character in Unnaipol Oruvan (2009). Sharing screen with Mohanlal, Lakshmi as the balancing act between two centres of power tries to be fair and balanced in a chaotic world.
