Born on December 7, 1955, in Mumbai, Lakshmi began her acting career as a child artist in the 1960s. Her early years in cinema were marked by small roles in films such as "Kaiwara Gowri" (1963) and "Thangarathnam" (1965). However, it was her breakthrough performance in the 1976 film "Annakkili" that catapulted her to stardom. Her portrayal of the titular character earned her widespread recognition and acclaim, establishing her as a leading lady in Tamil cinema.