Lakshmi Manchu clarifies she did not call her father Mohan Babu a 'roadblock' in her career: 'I love him so much'

Lakshmi Manchu's recent statement about her father and the patriarchal mindset in the movie industry made headlines. The actress has now clarified that her statements were misinterpreted and twisted. She emphasized that she did not refer to her father Mohan Babu as a "roadblock" in her career.
In an interview with the Indian Express, Manchu clarified that she deeply loves her father and he loves her too.Some media outlets distorted her statements, focusing on the challenges she faced despite her father being a superstar.
Manchu called the headlines misleading and pointed out that the rest of the interview did not support such interpretations. She described herself as nothing without her dad, stating that he is her first and ultimate hero. The actress noted that society often misinterprets people's words. Emphasizing the importance of speaking up when necessary, she said remaining silent would undermine the efforts of past and future women. Despite acknowledging challenges, she expressed determination, stating that tough situations make one stronger.
Manchu revealed that she only realized her father's fame in the 11th grade, despite living in Chennai and attending preview theaters. She didn't grasp his superstar status until then, when others began recognizing her as "Mohan Babu's daughter." She praised her father for never emphasizing his celebrity status at home, which she found testament to his humility.
Describing her father as a strict parent who enforced discipline, including maintaining a handwriting book and setting academic goals even during summer vacations, Manchu humorously suggested he could have excelled in the military due to his disciplined nature if he hadn't been an actor.

After starting her career as a child actor, Manchu later moved to the United States for work. She recounted the challenges of gaining acceptance from her father, a superstar, and her family for her career choices. She credited her mother for steadfast support, noting her father's concern but lack of opposition to her aspirations, primarily worrying about public perception. Manchu highlighted her mother's pivotal role in providing her with the strength to pursue her career despite societal pressures and potential backlash.
She noted significant changes in the entertainment industry in recent years, highlighting evolving attitudes among the younger generation, including her brother's children and Mahesh Babu and Namrata Shirodkar's daughter. She pointed out increased acceptance and opportunities, citing her nephew's early interest in acting and Bollywood's influence through Namrata Shirodkar. Reflecting on her upbringing in a close-knit Chennai community, she contrasted it with today's more open and diverse industry landscape.

In a recent interview with the Free Press Journal, Lakshmi Manchu discussed the challenges she faced when she moved from Hyderabad to Mumbai. She revealed her close-knit family's initial opposition to her decision, preferring her to stay in a familiar environment rather than becoming a small fish in a big pond. She credited her friend Rakul Preet for encouraging her to make the move despite her family's reservations.
Manchu also addressed patriarchal attitudes in the South Indian film industry, where men are hesitant to cast actors related to established male stars. While acknowledging her father's and others' attempts to dissuade her from acting, she highlighted director Prakash's support in introducing her to the industry.