Mani Ratnam directed Nayakan.
In 1992, Balu Mahendra directed the actress as the lead in Vanna Vanna Pookkal. The movie won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.
In Indian cinema, many child actors have made a name for themselves with their acting prowess. While some continued their career in front of the camera, some faded out and chose different career paths. Among these, Vinodhini aka Baby Lakshmi made a name for herself by featuring in Mani Ratnam’s Nayakan released in 1987. Nayakan, starring Kamal Haasan, emerged as one of the path-breaking movies not only in Tamil but in Indian cinema.
Vinodhini, in the movie, was the daughter of Kamal Haasan’s character. Her screen presence at that tender age was applauded by many for which she started getting offers to act as child actors. Impressing the audience in child roles, in 1992, Balu Mahendra directed her as the lead in Vanna Vanna Pookkal. While the film was a critical and commercial success, winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil and running for 100 days in theatres, it did not significantly advance Vinodhini’s career.
In the same year, she made her debut in Malayalam cinema with Soorya Manasam and entered the Kannada film industry with Chaitrada Premanjali, adopting the stage name Shwetha. Both films enjoyed success. Subsequently, she appeared in numerous Tamil films, including notable ones like Balu Mahendra’s Marupadiyum, Visu’s Pattukottai Periyappa, Rama Narayanan’s Vaanga Partner Vaanga and two films by KS Ravikumar, namely Suriyan Chandiran and Muthukulikka Vaariyala, often in supporting roles. By the mid-1990s, she transitioned her focus to Kannada cinema, where she continued to secure lead roles.
Vinodhini ventured into television in 2000, participating in popular serials like Chithi, Agal Vilakku and Kannadi Kathavugal, along with the comedy series Vidathu Sirippu by Crazy Mohan. Additionally, she hosted a television program for an extended eight-year period. Her comeback to Tamil cinema occurred in 2005 when she played a supporting role as the sister of the female lead (Meera Jasmine) in Kasthuri Maan.
She continues to act in TV serials currently with Zee Tamil’s Seetha Raman in her kitty. Her last appearance on the big screen was in 2021 when she featured in J Sabarish’s directorial venture, Calls.
