Lakshmi Manchu says Mahesh Babu and Namrata’s daughter Sitara should be seen more and jokingly ‘warns’ the couple

Highlights

• Lakshmi Manchu speaks about growing up under the weight of Mohan Babu’s legacy
  
• Says she learned to adapt to entrenched industry norms rather than confront them
  
• Praises Mahesh Babu and Namrata Shirodkar for encouraging daughter Sitara’s confidence
  
• Recalls a disturbing harassment incident from her teens
  

Lakshmi Manchu discusses the pressure of legacy

Lakshmi Manchu opens up about the emotional and professional expectations that come with being the daughter of veteran Telugu actor Mohan Babu. In a conversation with Hauterrfly, she says the pressure does not fade with age and continues to shape how she navigates her career.

She notes that despite her achievements as an actor and producer, the industry’s traditional structures make it difficult to separate her identity from her family name. The weight of legacy, she explains, remains constant.

She praises Mahesh Babu and Namrata Shirodkar for supporting their daughter Sitara’s growing presenceInstagram/ lakshmimanchu

Navigating entrenched norms

Lakshmi recalls earlier attempts to challenge the rigid frameworks she grew up with. Over time, she realised that trying to reform people who are unwilling to change only drains energy. Instead, she chose to adapt and find her path within the system.

Coming from a male-dominated family added another layer of scrutiny. Every decision, she says, carried an unspoken responsibility about how it might reflect on the men in her household.

Praising Mahesh Babu and Namrata for empowering Sitara

While discussing representation of girls from film families, Lakshmi points out the hesitation many male actors reportedly have about encouraging their daughters to join the industry. She highlights that very few are visible on screen or in public spaces.

She praises Mahesh Babu and Namrata Shirodkar for supporting their daughter Sitara’s growing presence, calling Namrata’s leadership at home “progressive”. In a light moment, Lakshmi quips that if the couple stop bringing Sitara out, she would “beat both of them,” underscoring her appreciation for the girl’s empowerment.

Speaking about a traumatic teenage incident

Lakshmi also revisits a distressing memory from her teens, revealing that she experienced harassment on public transport at age fifteen. She says she felt confused and disturbed, not knowing how to process what had happened.

When she later confided in friends, she discovered many had faced similar experiences. The incident, she notes, reflects how common such violations are and how they cut across age and background.