Actor Lakshmi Manchu hosted her annual fundraising gala for the NGO Teach For Change in Hyderabad on Saturday. Rhea Chakraborty stole the spotlight as the showstopper, while Miss India 2020 Manasa Varanasi, Likitha Yalamanchili, Varun Sandesh, Ram Nithin, and other celebrities also graced the ramp to support children's education.

“2025 has been really fascinating…especially with living in Mumbai and traveling for work,” Lakshmi shared with Hindustan Times, discussing her life, the significance of her advocacy, her comfort in Mumbai away from home, and her upcoming projects, including a mystery reality show.

Lakshmi Manchu discusses raising funds for Teach For Change

Lakshmi serves as the chairperson and trustee of Teach For Change, a non-profit dedicated to enhancing education quality in government schools across India. “This project is my passion, and we’re celebrating 11 years since we started fundraising for it,” the actor shares. She adds, “I did similar work back in LA, focusing on kids and education. I genuinely believe that education is the greatest gift of freedom you can offer a child, which is why I encourage everyone to volunteer and support this initiative as much as possible.”

At the fashion show, she certainly had no shortage of volunteers, with a lineup of stars modeling outfits by Swathi Veldandi and jewelry by Aabharanam. “I’ve been fortunate to have my colleagues walk for me over the years. It’s worth noting that none of them, including Rhea, get paid for this. In an industry where showstoppers often demand high fees, everyone participates in fundraising purely because they believe in the mission. This year, we had 42 actors strutting their stuff on the runway. Some years, a few even show up last minute to lend their support,” Lakshmi explains.

Among the stars who have backed the cause in previous years are Sushmita Sen, Dia Mirza, Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, Aditi Rao Hydari, Huma Qureshi, Sania Mirza, Rakul Preet Singh, Bipasha Basu, Shruti Haasan, Saina Nehwal, and Harshvardhan Rane.

Discovering a place that feels like home in Mumbai

Lakshmi traveled from Mumbai to Hyderabad for the event because she moved there in 2023 with her daughter, Vidya Nirvana Manchu Anand, whom she affectionately calls Apple. Her friends Ram Charan, Rana, and Rakul supported her during the move. Now, two years later, she shares that both she and Apple have adapted well to life in Mumbai.

“I thought it would take Apple much longer to adjust. I even turned down work to help her settle in. But she adapted so quickly, it’s like she was born for it! (laughs),” Lakshmi says, adding, “Mumbai has truly captured my heart. Every day brings something new, with fresh faces and challenges. It keeps me grounded. While Hyderabad will always be home, and I miss my family, friends, and the delicious food there, I’m grateful that I can visit anytime and enjoy the best of both worlds.”

When it comes to family matters, the actress prefers not to discuss the ongoing tension between her father, Mohan Babu, and her brothers, Vishnu Manchu and Manchu Manoj. Instead, she focuses on her charity work, her daughter, her new life in Mumbai, and her career. “I have my first reality show launching in May, and I’m feeling pretty nervous. I’m not sure how the editing will portray me,” she reveals, hinting at her participation in The Traitors on Prime Video, hosted by Karan Johar. “I also produced and acted in a film called Daksha with my dad, and I have a few more projects lined up that will be announced soon,” she concludes.

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