23rd April 2005

At a time when Hollywood is a mere dream to many an artiste from India, and to that matter the Third World countries, luck prevailed on Lakshmi Prasanna. She successfully entered into the ring of Hollywood, making striking appearance along with Sylvester Stallone.

The show Las Vegas came as a direct blessing to this Indian girl. Las Vegas is on NBC which is aired on Monday nights (starring James Caan, Oscar Award nominee of The God Father & Misery fame; and Josh Duhamel of Win a Date with Tad Hamilton fame). It is rated as one of the top shows on prime time television today. Her manager thought Lakshmi would exactly suffice the demand for an Indian actress for a guest starring role. Lakshmi caught the first thread of journey to the heights of success. She triumphed at the audition session. The initial nervousness soon faded into nothing and she began to feel the undertaking of a vibrant career, for which she dreamt of all her life. She clinched the deal when she finished her episode with Sylvester Stallone. She had played his love interest, which aroused overwhelming response. The Network kept calling Lakshmi back for more episodes. She is now a reoccurring guest star on the shows.

With name and fame attached to her family, which runs premier educational institutions near Tirupati, she had everything at her disposal. She came under the protective wings of her dad, who holds the philosophy: "Daughter is like a flower, treat her delicately. Son is like a stone, hammer him to perfection."

Taking the early lead in the tinsel world at homeland, Lakshmi took up acting in the movies starred by her dad. A big following of their family all over Andhra Pradesh state in India desired that Lakshmi should take active part in the filmmaking. Sree Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures, which happens to be one of the premier production companies in India - christened after Lakshmi - has so far produced about 45 movies, including several blockbusters over years. During this period that Lakshmi began to rediscovery her interests and career in life.

After her schooling and pre-college studies, she expressed her desire to pursue filmmaking as her fulltime occupation, for which she should be trained to the perfect levels. The loving parents initially hesitated to her decision as they could not dare miss her away at another continent. They wanted her to take up studies in Business Management. But, perseverance prevailed, and Lakshmi convinced her dad, who at last gave the green signal.

"My dad understands me and my heart more than myself", says Lakshmi. All the way from Hyderabad in India, she joined the Oklahoma City University in US to pursue her studies as a Theatre major. "America did open my eyes which began to see something different. It's the discovery of one's own mission," Lakshmi said.

Everything was at her disposal, but Lakshmi wanted to drive her career from the grass root level like any another normal student at the university. She worked with the international student office. She worked in a perfume cart in mall, worked as a waitress in a Mexican restaurant called Garcia's. Yet, she kept interest alive that she took up working on a couple of plays.

Lakshmi, whose eyes hold the wonder mix of ambiguity sharpness, made many to think that she might be a Mexican or an African American. The busman in the Mexican Restaurant fondly called Lakshmi as Bonita, which means "Beautiful One".

Successfully completing her Bachelor's in Oklahoma (which she completed in three years), Lakshmi, without losing a moment, moved to Los Angeles. Joining USC & Beverley Hills Playhouse, she started honing her skills. "In fact, my moving to LA came as a blessing," maintained, as it gave her an opportunity to meet the incredible people of the Hollywood, whom she had only watched the screen while in India.

"My sincere thanks to executive producer Gardner Stern, who encouraged me all the way", Lakshmi said. What is the next stop for Lakshmi? She is all likely to put a bridge between Hollywood and Tollywood, bringing a new outlook in the moviemaking business.

Lakshmi Prasanna to produce Hollywood film
Lakshmi Prasanna would be producing a Hollywood film titled 'Single Threat' with four actress playing main leads. This film would be made in sets erected near Tirupati. Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayak would be play two important roles. Ben Kingsley is approached for another vital role of the film.

Click here for Photo Gallery of Lakshmi Prasanna.