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Abstract This paper examines the career of Lakshmi Narayan (known mononymously as Lakshmi), a pivotal figure in South Indian cinema during the 1970s and 1980s. It explores her transition from child artiste to leading lady, her pan-Indian appeal across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi industries, and her enduring popularity through digital media. Specifically, it highlights key films that defined her career and analyzes why her "popular videos" continue to resonate with audiences on modern streaming platforms.


Interestingly, a significant portion of "popular videos" featuring Lakshmi comes from her second innings as a character artiste.

In Tamil cinema, Lakshmi became the quintessential modern woman. She was often cast opposite the titans of the industry—Sivaji Ganesan, Rajinikanth, and Kamal Haasan.

Unlike her contemporaries who were often typecast, Lakshmi managed a dual image. Popular videos on YouTube often feature her song sequences, which are viewed millions of times.