Laya (actress)

Laya (actress)

Laya (born 21 October 1981) is an Indian actress and Kuchipudi dancer known for her work primarily in Telugu films alongside a few Malayalam, Kannada and Tamil films. Laya first appeared as a child actor in Bhadram Koduko (1992) and later she started working as a lead actress with Swayamvaram (1999). She was runner up in the Star 2000 contest conducted to introduce new talent and has won three Nandi Awards including Special Jury Award and two Nandi Awards for Best Actress in consecutive years for Manoharam (2000) and Preminchu (2001).

Personal life

Laya (actress)

Laya was born on 21 October 1981 in a Telugu family in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. Her maiden name is Gorty. She attended Nirmala High School, Vijayawada, where her mother was a music teacher. Her father was a doctor. During her school days, she was a state level chess player. Later, she moved to Hyderabad and participated in multiple stage shows as a classical dancer, having performed in more than 50 stage shows. She has a Master's degree in Computer Applications. She married Dr. Sri Ganesh Gorty in 2006 and settled in Los Angeles, California. The couple has a daughter and a son.

Filmography

Film

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th><th>Language</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1992</td><td>Bhadram Koduko</td><td></td><td>Telugu</td><td>Debut film Child Artist</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>Swayamvaram</td><td>Anu</td><td>Debut film in a lead role</td></tr><tr><td>Maa Balaji</td><td>Sujatha</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2000</td><td>Kodanda Ramudu</td><td>Latha</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Manoharam</td><td>Usha</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Manasunna Maaraju</td><td>Amrutha</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Devullu</td><td>Sita Devi</td><td>Cameo appearance</td></tr><tr><td>2001</td><td>Maduve Aagona Baa</td><td>Shanthi</td><td>Kannada</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Maa Aavida Meeda Ottu Mee Aavida Chala Manchidi</td><td>Kanaka Durga</td><td>Telugu</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Preminchu</td><td>Meena</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ramma Chilakamma</td><td>Gayatri</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Naalo Unna Prema</td><td>Hema</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hanuman Junction</td><td>Sangeetha</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2002</td><td>Gelupu</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu</td><td>Neerja</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Kondaveeti Simhasanam</td><td>Varala</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Nee Premakai</td><td>Anjali</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sri Bannari Amman</td><td>Bhavani</td><td>Tamil</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Siva Rama Raju</td><td>Rama Raju's wife</td><td>Telugu</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2003</td><td>Donga Ramudu and Party</td><td>Vasantha Lakshmi</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pellamtho Panenti</td><td>Sireesha</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Nenu Pelliki Ready</td><td>Bhavana</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Missamma</td><td>Ratna Mala</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2004</td><td>Veera Kannadiga</td><td>Lakshmi</td><td>Kannada</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Gajendra</td><td>Indhu</td><td>Tamil</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Vijayendra Varma</td><td>Indira</td><td>Telugu</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Swarabhishekam</td><td>Surekha</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2005</td><td>Thommanum Makkalum</td><td>Poonkavanam</td><td>Malayalam</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Alice In Wonderland</td><td>Sofia</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Udayon</td><td>Maya</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Adirindayya Chandram</td><td>Rajyam</td><td>Telugu</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Chanakya</td><td>Anjali</td><td>Tamil</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2006</td><td>Rashtram</td><td>Celeine</td><td>Malayalam</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Gandugali Kumara Rama</td><td>Ramale</td><td>Kannada</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tata Birla Madhyalo Laila</td><td>Mahalakshmi</td><td>Telugu</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2010</td><td>Brahmalokam To Yamalokam Via Bhulokam</td><td>Aadi Parasakthi</td><td>Cameo appearance</td></tr><tr><td>2018</td><td>Amar Akbar Anthony</td><td>Aishwarya's mother</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>Thammudu</td><td>Jhansi Kiranmyee</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

Television

• Mega Bangaram Mee Kosam - 1 on Gemini TV as a host • Sambavi on ETV • Padutha Theeyaga on ETV as a host • Bigg Boss 9 on Star Maa as a guest

Awards and nominations

Laya (actress)

• Special Jury Award - Swayamvaram (1999) • Best Actress - Manoharam (2000) • Best Actress - Preminchu (2001)