Telugu actress and producer Lakshmi Manchu is foraying into Tamil cinema. The actress, who recently launched her maiden Kollywood production with her brother Manoj Manchu and Deeksha Seth in the lead, has been roped in for her debut Tamil project with ace director Mani Ratnam.

Lakshmi, daughter of veteran Telugu actor Mohan Babu, was quoted as saying: 'Everything good happens at the right time. Though I had read the script over two months ago, I signed it only on 15 December, when I was in Chennai for the puja launch of my bilingual production. I can proudly say I'm debuting in Kollywood with a Mani Ratnam film,'

Mani Ratnam's film, which is said to be titled 'Pookadai', reportedly features Karthik's son Gautham in the lead Lakshmi also said Mani had inspired her to be part of the film industry. 'I've grown up watching his 'Geetanjali' and 'Mouna Ragam'. I feel blessed to be part of his project.'