When Lakshmi Manchu speaks, she doesn’t hold back. And while promoting her upcoming Tamil film Pookie — which will release in Telugu as Bookie — the actor made her stance on abusive relationships crystal clear.
Taking inspiration from Taapsee Pannu’s powerful 2020 film Thappad, Lakshmi said she firmly believes that self-respect should never be compromised in the name of marriage.
A Psychiatrist On Screen, A Straight Talker Off It
Lakshmi plays a psychiatrist in Pookie, a film that touches on themes like domestic abuse and emotional trauma. During promotions in Hyderabad, she was asked whether her own perspective on relationships has evolved over the years.
Her response was practical and personal.
“You do you. Do what gives you happiness,” she said, adding that two people often enter relationships in their 20s with shared dreams — but when one partner begins to take the marriage for granted, things start falling apart.
But it was her comments on abuse that truly stood out.
“Who Gives You the Right to Hit Someone?”
Lakshmi didn’t mince words while addressing domestic violence in marriages. Referring to Thappad, she said the film resonated deeply with her.
“Some people say no matter how much I suffer, no matter how much I’m abused, I will stay with my husband. That’s your life. But I watched Thappad and thought it was amazing. Who gives you the right to hit someone? My parents don’t touch me. Who are you to hit me?” she stated firmly.
Her message was simple — self-respect is non-negotiable.
The bold take aligns with the theme of Thappad, which explored how even a single act of violence can shake the foundation of a marriage.
On Modern Love and Social Media Culture
Lakshmi also reflected on how relationships have changed over time. She pointed out that earlier generations were strict about dating, while today’s world encourages relationships — but perhaps without depth.
“Social media has really corrupted our minds and thoughts,” she said.
According to her, effort in relationships has reduced. She compared old-school romance — where men would genuinely try to impress someone — to today’s “copy-paste” messages sent to multiple people at once.
“It’s up to us girls to figure out if they mean what they say,” she added.
Actor Vijay Antony, who is presenting Pookie and has also edited and composed music for the film, praised Lakshmi’s “sensible” responses during the interaction and even playfully referred to her as “mataji.”
A Personal Journey of Change
Lakshmi married IT professional Andy Srinivasan in 2006. The couple welcomed their daughter, Vidya Nirvana, via surrogacy in 2014. While her husband lives in the US, Lakshmi has largely been based in Hyderabad and recently Mumbai.
On a podcast last year, she admitted that she was raised to “worship men” — a mindset she has consciously unlearned over time. She also said she doesn’t feel incomplete without a man in her life, signalling a shift toward independence and self-worth.
Final Words
Lakshmi Manchu’s comments weren’t just promotional soundbites — they reflected her evolved perspective on relationships, dignity, and boundaries.
As Pookie gears up for release, her words have already sparked conversation. In an industry where actors often play it safe, Lakshmi chose clarity over caution.
And if there’s one takeaway from her stance, it’s this: love should never come at the cost of self-respect.
