Raai Laxmi is an Indian actress and model, who works predominantly in various South Indian film industries. She is known in the Tamil film industry for her roles in the films Dhaam Dhoom (2008), Kanchana (2011), and Mankatha (2011). Some of her notable roles in other languages are Rock n’ Roll (2007) in Malayalam, Julie 2 (2017) in Hindi, and Jhansi IPS (2021) in Kannada.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Lakshmi Rai, who changed her name to Raai Laxmi, was born on Friday, 5 May 1989, (age 34; as of 2023) in Bangalore (now, Bengaluru), Karnataka, India. Her zodiac sign is Taurus.
Raai Laxmi as a toddler
Raai Laxmi finished her primary school education in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. She did her high school education in Belgaum, Karnataka, India. She was interested in modelling and other cultural activities during her student days. When she won the title of Ms Belgaum, she started getting several opportunities in modelling and acting. She discontinued her school education to pursue an acting career. [1]The Times of India
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
Weight (approx.): 55 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Raai Laxmi with Amitabh Bachchan
Family & Caste
Raai Laxmi’s family belongs to the Saurashtrian Kutchi community. They are settled in Belgaum, Karnataka, India.
Parents & Siblings
Raai Laxmi’s father, Tukaramsa Narayanasa Raibagi, or Ram Raibagi, was a businessman, who had a manufacturing facility producing agro-based machines or devices. He died of an illness in Mumbai in November 2020.
Raai Laxmi with her father
Her mother, Manjula Rai, is a homemaker. She has two elder sisters- Reshma Rai and Ashwini Raibagi.
Raai Laxmi with her mother and sisters
Husband & Children
As of December 2023, she is unmarried.
Relationships/Affairs
MS Dhoni
In 2008, Raai Laxmi was reportedly in a relationship with the cricketer, MS Dhoni. They met during the Indian Premer League (IPL) season of 2008, as Raai Laxmi was the brand ambassador of the team MS Dhoni was part of. They parted ways amicably after dating for less than a year. [2]Hindustan Times
Raai Laxmi’s Ex-boyfriend, MS Dhoni
S. Sreesanth
Raai Laxmi was reportedly in an affair with cricketer S. Sreesanth during the early days of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The rumour started when they were spotted together multiple times. They both denied any relationship with each other, although Sreesanth admits to multiple friendly visits to the shooting locations of Raai Laxmi. According to her, the rumours happened after they shot a commercial together. [3]The Times of India
Cricketer, S Sreesanth
Vikram Singh
Raai Laxmi was allegedly in a relationship with fellow actor, Vikram Singh, who is known for the negative role he played in the Kannada film, Rana Vikrama (2015). Though the reasons for the break-up are unknown, they continue to be friendly and meet each other in social circles. [4]The Times of India
Raai Laxmi with Vikram Singh
Signature/Autograph
Raai Laxmi Signature
Career
Film
Raai Laxmi debuted in the film industry with the character named Anjaly in the Tamil film, Karka Kasadara (2005).
Raai Laxmi in a scene from the film Karka Kasadara
In the Telugu film industry, her first film was Kanchanamala Cable TV (2005) in which she played the character named Sireesha aka Kanchanamala.
Raai Laxmi with the cast and crew of the film Kanchanamala Cable TV
She debuted in the Kannada film industry with the film, Valmiki (2005), opposite actor Shiva Rajkumar. Her first film in the Malayalam film industry was opposite actor Mohanlal in the film Rock n’ Roll (2007). The film was a commercial success and her role as a singer was also well-appreciated.
Raai Laxmi on the poster of the film Rock n’ Roll
Some of her notable roles in films across the industries are Thenmozhi in the Malayalam film, Annan Thampi (2008), Aarthi Chinnappa in the Tamil film, Dhaam Dhoom (2008), Adv. Sunitha in the Malayalam film, Evidam Swargamanu (2009), Priya in the Kannada film, Kanchana (2012), and Christina in the Tamil film, Irumbu Kuthirai (2014).
Raai Laxmi in the film Irumbu Kuthirai
Though she appeared in a supporting role in the Hindi film Akira (2016), her debut in Bollywood was in the erotic thriller film, Julie 2 (2017), as the title character Julie.
She played the title role in the Telugu film, Where Is The Venkatalakshmi (2019), and in the Kannada film, Jhansi IPS (2021). The character Lakshmi in the Tamil film, Mirugaa (2021), with actor Srikanth was also well-received by the audience.
Raai Laxmi in the film Mirugaa
Television
Raai Laxmi hosted the second season of the reality show, Anu Alavum Bayamillai (2009), which aired on the television channel, Vijay TV.
Raai Laxmi hosting the reality show Anu Alavum Bayamillai season 2
She was a contestant in the reality show called Star Challenge (2015) aired on the Malayalam channel, Flowers TV.
In 2020, she played the character named Sara in the web series, Poison 2, which streamed on Zee5 network. It was directed by Vishal Pandya.
Raai Laxmi on the poster of the web series Poison 2
Raai Laxmi was a guest and gave a dance performance in the grand finale of the reality show, Bigg Boss (Telugu) Season 4 in 2020. It streamed on the Star Maa channel.
Raai Laxmi performing in the grand finale of Bigg Boss Telugu
She was the celebrity judge in the Malayalam reality show called Comedy Stars Season 3 (2021), which aired on the TV channel, Asianet.
Raai Laxmi in Comedy Stars Season 3
Controversies
Legal battle with Tamil Weekly over a defaming article
Raai Laxmi filed a lawsuit against the Tamil Weekly, Kumudam, for publishing an article titled, Ore Arayil Herovudan Thanginal Thappa? (Is it wrong to stay in a room with the hero?), which harmed her image. She approached the court demanding compensation of Rs 30 lakh for defamation and the Madras High Court further put a restraining order on publishing any article regarding her. [5]The Times of India
Awards
- In 2009, Raai Laxmi won the Most Popular Actress Award at the Asianet Film Awards for the film, Evidam Swargamanu.
- In 2012, she won the Stylish Star of South Indian Cinema at the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA).
- In 2012, she won the Best Supporting Actress – Tamil at the Filmfare Awards South for the film Mankatha.
- In 2012, She won the Best Negative Role – Female at the Chennai Times Film Awards for the film Mankatha.
Car Collection
Raai Laxmi owns a Land Rover Range Rover Sport.
Raai Laxmi and her Range Rover Sport
Facts/Trivia
- According to Raai Laxmi, her dream of becoming an actor started when the veteran actor Padmini Kolhapure came as a chief guest for the annual day function at her school in Belgaum. Raai Laxmi later joined Padmini Kolhapure’s acting school for an acting workshop.
- Raai Laxmi had a close association with the chief of Sahara Group, Subrata Roy.
Raai Laxmi with Subrata Roy
- One of Raai Laxmi’s favourite places is her home town, Belgaum. She loves the varieties of chaats and a sweet dish called Belgaum Kunda or Belagavi Kunda, from the city.
- She loves to ride bikes.
Raai Laxmi riding a bike
- Raai Laxmi is often mistaken as a Mangalorean because of her surname.
- Raai Laxmi is an animal lover. She often posts pictures of her pet dogs, Lui, Miu, and Paco on her social media accounts.
Raai Laxmi with her pets
References
