Lakshmi was born on December 7, 1952, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She began her acting career at a young age and made her debut in the 1963 film "Thiruvilaiyadal". However, it was her role in the 1968 film "Adhoxi" that brought her to the forefront. Her performance earned her critical acclaim and recognition, and she went on to become one of the most sought-after actresses in the Tamil film industry.