laxmi rai pic

Raai Laxmi (formerly Lakshmi Rai) is an Indian film actress appearing in South Indian films. She has appeared in many successful Tamil productions, most popular being Muni 2: Kanchana and Mankatha (both 2011). Raai made her debut in Malayalam in 2007, starring in Rock N' Roll, which performed poorly at the box office. But she followed it up with several successful films such as Annan Thambi (2008), 2 Harihar Nagar (2009), Chattambinadu (2009), Evidam Swargamanu (2009), Oru Marubhoomikkadha (2011) andMayamohini (2012), thus establishing herself as a successful actress in the industry. She also enjoys popularity in Kannada and Telugu films, after appearing in Kalpana and Adhinayakudu (both 2012).

Lakshmi Rai was born in Bangalore, Karnataka, and brought up at Belgaum.She initially worked as a model before entering the film industry. She appeared in television ads such as Sylcon Footwears, Josco Jewellers, Saravana Stores, Emmanuel Silks, Bru Coffee and Fair & Lovely.

She made her acting debut in 2005 in the Tamil film Karka Kasadara. Subsequently she appeared in a number of Tamil films, including the comedy film Kundakka Mandakka (2005) opposite R. Parthiban, Perarasu's action-masala flick Dharmapuri (2006), and the romance film Nenjai Thodu (2007). In 2008, she began working in more serious films such as the drama film Velli Thirai, in which she played herself, and the action thriller Dhaam Dhoom directed by Jeeva. She received positive feedbacks forher portrayal of a lawyer in the latter. A review from Behindwoodswrote: "The latter (Lakshmi Rai) sizzles even as she is supposed to play the court professional who is caught in the web of smuggling drugs". She won her first Filmfare Awardnomination in the Best Supporting Actress category.