Lavanya Tripathi (born 15 December 1990) is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Telugu films. Tripathi made her acting debut with the Hindi television show Pyaar Ka Bandhan (2009) and made her film debut with Andala Rakshasi (2012), for which she won CineMAA Award for Best Female Debut.
Tripathi started her career as a model and won Femina Miss Uttarakhand in 2006. Post her film debut, she had initial success with Doosukeltha (2013) and Bramman (2014). Tripathi received praises for portraying a dance teacher in Bhale Bhale Magadivoy (2015) and a lonely wife in Soggade Chinni Nayana (2016). For the former, she won Zee Apsara Rising Star of the Year Award and for the latter she received Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu nomination. Her other notable films include Srirastu Subhamastu (2016), for which she received SIIMA Award for Best Actress – Telugu nomination, Vunnadhi Okate Zindagi (2017), Arjun Suravaram (2019) and A1 Express (2021).
She is a recipient of several awards along with two SIIMA Awards and one Filmfare Awards South nominations. She made her web debut with the Telugu series, Puli Meka (2023).
Early life and background
Tripathi was born 15 December 1990, in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh and she grew up in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Her father is a lawyer practicing in High Court and Civil Court and her mother is a retired teacher. She has two elder siblings, one brother and sister. After completing her schooling from Marshall School, Dehradun, she moved to Mumbai, where she graduated in economics from Rishi Dayaram National College.
She stated that she "always wanted to be in showbiz" but her father wanted her to complete her education first. She then started modelling, appearing in commercials, while also being part of television shows. She won the title of Miss Uttarakhand in 2006 when still in school. Tripathi's background in classical dancing, Bharatnatyam came in handy for her role in the film Bhale Bhale Magadivoy.
Career
Film debut and breakthrough (2012-2015) Tripathi made her feature film debut with the 2012 Telugu film Andala Rakshasi, after a friend suggested her to attend the audition for the role. She earned critical acclaim for her performance as Midhuna and won the Best Debutante Award at CineMAA Awards. The following year, she starred as a doctor in Doosukeltha, opposite Vishnu Manchu which became a box office success.
In 2014, she made her debut in Tamil cinema with Bramman in which she played an aspiring journalist, Gayathri. The same year she played the cameo role of Radha Mohan's friend in Manam, also appeared alongside Naga Chaitanya in the film's song 'Kanulanu Thaake'.
Tripathi's breakthrough came with her portrayal of Nandana, a Kuchipudi dance teacher in Bhale Bhale Magadivoy opposite Nani. Times of India wrote, "Lavanya as the smitten lover and the loving daughter is a treat to watch. It's not just her looks but her grace and simplicity that are her assets." Deccan Chronicle said, "Lavanya Tripathi looks beautiful as Nandana and ticks all the boxes. Her chemistry with Nani is good on screen and she is one of the bright talents to look out for in future." She won Zee Telugu Apsara Awards, Rising Star of the Year for her performance.
Rise to prominence (2016-2019) Tripathi had a successful year in 2016 with three releases. She first portrayed a lonely wife, Seeta in Soggade Chinni Nayana opposite Nagarjuna. Times of India compared her to Soundarya and said "Lavanya Tripathi reminds you of Soundarya who wasn't just a beauty but a bundle of talent. Deccan Chronicle wrote, "Tripathi is very decent and had given a good performance. Though she is just a few movies old, she carried the role like an actress with a lot of experience." It was a critical and commercial success, she received Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu nomination for her performance.
She next portrayed a cashier Devi in Lacchimdeviki O Lekkundi alongside Naveen Chandra. It received mixed reviews from the critics, but was a commercial success. Her final release of the year came with Srirastu Subhamastu, where she portrayed Ananya opposite Allu Sirish. It received mostly positive reviews.
Tripathi had 5 releases in 2017. She first appeared in Mister as Chandramukhi opposite Varun Tej. It receivex mixed to negative reviews from critics. Her next release cane with Radha, opposite Sharwanand, she portrayed a student Radha. It received mixed reviews. Her next release was the average grosser Yuddham Sharanam, where she was seen as Anjali, a medical intern opposite Chaitanya. Times of India wrote, "Lavanya Tripathi as Anjali, looks fresh and cute on screen. But her role is restricted to just that."