I realised I wasn’t good enough, so I worked harder: Aishwarya Lekshmi

Actress Aishwarya Lekshmi has carved a space for herself in Indian cinema, not just through her performances, but also through her honesty, vulnerability, and relentless pursuit of growth. In a candid conversation with Manorama Online, she spoke about her journey into films, learning from early missteps, staying emotionally grounded in a demanding industry, and why she doesn’t believe in hiding her feelings.

The path to cinema
I’ve been dreaming about cinema for as long as I can remember. Even before I seriously considered acting, I had already received offers, but back then, I wasn’t interested.
After I cleared my MBBS exams, I went to a cafe one day and saw a casting call poster. Just out of curiosity, I sent in a photo. That’s how I met director Althaf Salim and ended up being cast in ‘Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela’.

While working on that film, I realised I wasn’t performing at my best. I wasn’t satisfied with what I brought to the role, and the audience wasn’t too impressed either. That moment changed something in me — it made me want to take acting seriously and work harder. That’s how my real journey in cinema began.

I didn’t have to struggle too much initially to get roles. But for some of us, the challenge isn’t in the entry, it’s in staying consistent. That’s how it was for me. After those early opportunities, I had to prove myself, work harder, and slowly started getting better scripts. That effort is what’s helped me survive in this field.

Mistakes will happen
There’s no manual that teaches you how to navigate cinema. I’ve attended acting workshops, but learning to act, truly act, is a constant process.
Just like a doctor has to keep updating their knowledge, an actor too has to keep evolving. The moment we become complacent or stop working on our craft, things slip away.

I try to learn something from every film, every role. The life of an actor is never easy. You might get money and fame, but you have to ask yourself whether you actually want that fame. I only recently realised that I do, because in this industry, visibility matters. To get your next role, people need to see you. Today, even social media followers have become a necessary part of the profession.

Emotional freedom
I’ve never been afraid to show my emotions, and I’ve cried publicly more than once. It’s just who I am. And in this profession, our emotional lives are often out there for everyone to see.
The first time I cried publicly was during the press meet for ‘Gargi’. That film was directed by a dear friend who had gone through so much to make it, and I knew the entire backstory. I couldn’t hold back.

The second time was during the promotions for ‘Ponniyin Selvan 2’. Working with Mani Ratnam sir was a dream come true, and as the promotions ended, I found myself wondering whether I’d ever get to work with artists of that calibre again. It overwhelmed me.

The third time was during the promotion of ‘Maaman’. Soori sir became emotional on stage, and seeing that, I broke down too.
I don’t believe in bottling up emotions. Why should we hide how we feel? Vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s a part of being human, and it deserves to be seen.