Aishwarya Lekshmi

Debut and breakthrough (2017-2021)

Lekshmi states that she "never planned on acting", but gave her audition for Althaf Salim's 2017 film Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela starring Nivin Pauly and was cast in a prominent role.^[2] She then played an aspiring actress in the romantic thriller Mayaanadhi opposite Tovino Thomas.^[10] The film became a major success. Neelima Mohan of The News Minute called her the "heart and soul" of the film and added, "Emotions flit easily across her face—as a lover, the struggling model, the mortified daughter. She is a natural."^[11] In 2018, she appeared in Varathan opposite Fahadh Faasil, a box office success.^[12] Sajin Shrijith stated, "Aishwarya gets her own mass moment too through her act."^[13]

In 2019, Lekshmi had three Malayalam releases: Vijay Superum Pournamiyum opposite Asif Ali,^[14] Argentina Fans Kaattoorkadavu opposite Kalidas Jayaram^[15] and Brother's Day alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran.^[16] She also made her Tamil debut that year, with Action, opposite Vishal.^[17] In 2021, she first appeared in the Tamil film Jagame Thandhiram opposite Dhanush,^[18] and then had two Malayalam film releases, Laughing Budha and Kaanekkaane opposite Tovino Thomas.^[19] Anna MM Vetticad noted, "Tovino and Aishwarya are as immersed in their roles as they usually are, making it hard to unequivocally pass judgement against their characters."^[20]

Career expansion and progression (2022-present)

The year 2022 was a turning point in her career with nine film releases. Among these, only Gargi, Ponniyin Selvan: I and Gatta Kusthi emerged as commercial successes. Apart from a cameo in Gargi, which she also co-produced,^[21] she appeared in the anthology Putham Pudhu Kaalai Vidiyaadhaa, in Godse alongside Satyadev, her Telugu debut, in Captain opposite Arya.^[22][23] Ponniyin Selvan: I saw her play Poonguzhali opposite Ashwin Kakumanu. The film emerged as the fifth highest-grossing Tamil film of all time.^[24] She received praises for playing the titular role of a teacher in Archana 31 Not Out,^[25] a domestic violence victim in Ammu and an orphan in Kumari.^[26] For Ammu, Haricharan Pudipeddi of Hindustan Times noted, "As the helpless wife, Aishwarya plays her part so well. This is one of her best performances."^[27] Her last release that year was Gatta Kusthi, where she played a wrestler opposite Vishnu Vishal.^[28] Navein Darshan of Cinema Express stated, "Aishwarya sells the role effortlessly with both comedy and action."^[29]

In 2023, Lekshmi first appeared in Christopher alongside Mammootty.^[30] Gayathri Gokul of The Week stated that she does justice to her role.^[31] Lekshmi then reprised her character in the sequel Ponniyin Selvan: II.^[32] Later, she appeared opposite Dulquer Salmaan in King of Kotha.^[33] Lekshmi's first film of 2024 was Pon Ondru Kanden opposite Ashok Selvan, which simultaneously released on OTT and television.^[34] In her next film, she played an educated woman opposite Sharaf U Dheen in Hello Mummy.^[35] It was a box office success.^[36]

Lekshmi's first release of 2025 saw her play a doctor opposite Soori in Maaman, which emerged a commercial success.^[37] Avinash Ramachandran of Cinema Express stated, "Aishwarya is terrific in a role that is quite layered, but is never given the breathing space to become something more prolific."^[38] She next played Silambarasan's long lost sister in the multi-starrer Thug Life, which underperformed at the box office.^[39][40]