“Don’t Be Afraid” Lakshmi Devy’s Voyage From Medicine To Filmmaking

“Don’t Be Afraid” Lakshmi Devy’s Voyage From Medicine To Filmmaking. Lakshmi Devy in New York, New York, Lakshmi Devy is an actress, screenwriter, and producer of Indian descent. She was raised in the serenely beautiful state of Kerala, India, with her two siblings. From an early age, Lakshmi expressed an artistic talent and passion for the performing arts. As a young theatre performer, she soon delved into a rigorous training system of Indian classical dance technique, which has remained with her into adult life.

Although Lakshmi was always inclined towards drama and dance, the opportunities were sparse where she lived in India. Her mother, a successful doctor, and father, a well-known travelogue writer and published author, were keen for her to choose a more traditional, less “frivolous” career path. While studying medicine, she continued to dance, and work in theatre, and eventually on graduating from medical school, Lakshmi realized that all she wanted to pursue, was acting.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

Well, I am what you call, an Artsy Doctor. I started off as a Theatre actress and now find comfort and happiness in being a Filmmaker/Actress/Screenwriter. My life consists of thinking about making films and then actually making films. When I am not filming I am busy traveling and spending time with the people I love. I love scribbling down poetry or thoughtful anecdotes on Instagram. It’s become a favorite pastime of mine.

Share your favorite memory from childhood
One of my favorite memories is when I and my sister decided to start our own library. We had a huge bookshelf with a wide variety of children’s books and classics and decided to convert that into a lending library for the kid’s in our neighborhood. We made flyers for our “Webster’s Library” with our crayons and markers and limited drawing skills. I rode On my bicycle with my sister behind and distributed it all around the neighborhood. You see, we were inspired by the stories we had read and wanted to have our own way of making an allowance. Eventually, of course, the kid’s took our books, and we never saw them again. That was the end of Webster’s Library.

If you were not a filmmaker…….. ?
Well, considering the fact that I gave up medicine to become an Actor/Filmmaker, I guess just a Very Sad Individual.

If you could go back in time what would you want to change?
I would tell my younger self to not be scared. I would tell a young Lakshmi, never to get intimidated and voice her opinions with gusto.

What are the five apps you use the most on your phone?

That would be, Instagram, Stepz, Facebook, Google maps and WhatsApp.

Is it tough to be in this industry? Any tip for the beginners?

It is an exceptionally tough industry with regard to the tenacity that is involved. That being said the digital era has definitely democratized show business. So my advice would be, to find your team. If you’re an actor make sure you mingle with filmmakers and writers and technicians so that you can you can help out each other. Whilst going through the framework that the industry provides you, do not shy away from exploring your own creativity. Also, more importantly, learn how to take useful criticism. Develop an expert eye, by watching and researching films and speaking to those who have achieved much more. This industry can be as bad or as good as you want it to be. The decision is completely yours to make.

Who is your favorite actor and why?
My favorite actor would be David Hyde Peirce. I still watch Frasier every day along with my eggs and avocado in the morning. I have watched every episode so many times that I know the lines by heart. Even then David Hyde Peirce still blows my mind with the nuance to detail that he brings to his performance.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Pretty much the same as I see myself now, probably just kinder and more affluent.

What is your favorite destination for traveling?

Oh, that is a loaded question. I don’t think I have ever disliked a place I have traveled to. In fact, I dislike people, who dislike the places they travel to. That being said, I love the serenity of Japan and a peculiar dejavu that I felt when I traveled to Egypt.

Where do you get your motivation from?
Mine comes from the fear of not being able to make an impact and become useful. If I cannot inspire a young child to follow their dreams I would consider myself a failure. I strive to make an easier path for my fellow mates and the generations to come.

Some words for your fans……
Come and see me and talk to me. My film “Don’t be afraid” is screening at the Chelsea Film Festival in October . I would love to hear their thoughts and concerns and feel the Love. I always get asked, how my fans can reach out to me. Instagram is definitely the best way. I do my best to reply and address my fans.