In the world of Telugu cinema, where glam roles often dominate, actress Laya Gorty carved a niche for herself with grace, simplicity and sheer talent. Known for her ‘homely’ roles and classical charm, she became a household name in the early 2000s. A three-time Nandi Award winner, she was never one to chase stardom — yet her natural performances in just eight years of her initial film career left an unforgettable mark. She never crossed the line in terms of on-screen portrayal, always opting for performance-oriented characters with substance and dignity. Off-screen, few know that she was a national-level chess player, a gifted classical dancer, and the daughter of a reputed doctor. Having worked with some of the most respected filmmakers like Gunasekhar, Dasari Narayana Rao, Vijay Bhaskar and SV Krishna Reddy, Laya stepped away from films after her marriage.
Now, after a two-decade-long hiatus, she’s returning to the silver screen with the film Thammudu, portraying a strict officer — a role that symbolises strength and maturity. In an exclusive chat with The Pioneer’s Suresh Kavirayani, Laya gets candid about her inspiring journey, right from her childhood days to creating her own mark in the world of cinema.
A Childhood Packed with Talent
I was born in Mysore at my grandfather’s house. He worked as a scientist at CFTRI. Though I was born there, I was brought up in Vijayawada. My schooling was at Maria Montessori till the third class and then I moved to Nirmala High School up to Class ten. I was a quiet, well-behaved child. Being the only child, my schedule was always packed—after school, I attended dance classes, singing lessons and chess practice. There was no time to relax or think about anything else. I also participated in the Chess Championship and stood second in the National Competition. I learnt Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi. My father, a nephrologist, worked at Pinnamaneni Poly Clinic and later at Nagarjuna Hospital, Kanuru. My mother, initially a housewife, later became a singing teacher at our school. I was active in my school’s cultural activities.
Schoolmates and Early Days in Films
Deepti Vajpayee, now a TV9 News Anchor, was my classmate. Another friend, Sudha, lives in LA now. Samyukta has been a close friend since childhood, and another senior schoolmate is also still a dear friend. We’ve stayed in touch over the years and are part of a WhatsApp group where we still chat. As a child, I acted in a film titled Bhadram Koduko. It all started when we were on a school picnic and I was spotted and selected by the filmmakers. So, technically, my film career began as a child artiste, though it was never part of any plan.
Chess: A Life-Changing Chapter
While I was studying in Vijayawada, political leader Ranga was murdered, leading to city-wide curfew. During this time, our TV was given for repair but got damaged during the riots. With schools shut and nothing to watch, my father taught me chess. He was my first coach. I eventually took chess seriously, participated in State competitions and even won the State Championship. Around the same time, I received a film offer. Preparing for national and international chess competitions requires immense dedication and high-level coaching, so I chose films over chess.
Debuting as a Lead Actress
After finishing my tenth class, my mother secretly sent my portfolio to the Star 2000 contest. I was selected and ended up as the runner-up. That’s when the makers of Swayamvaram approached my parents, and they agreed. That’s how I debuted as a lead actress. I knew nothing about acting, but I followed the director’s instructions. The film had many senior actors, and the director asked me to prepare my scenes a day in advance. I wasn’t nervous, as I had already performed in many classical dance stage shows. The film became a huge hit, and I even won a Special Jury Nandi Award for my performance. I was just 17 when the film released.
Approached by the Industry, never chased it
I was in my first year of Intermediate when I got the lead role. I didn’t know much and was quite innocent. My parents told me the film was being made with newcomers and encouraged me to try. If the film was a hit, there might be more offers. If not, I could continue with studies, dance and maybe even chess. A 16-year-old girl then was very different from today—there were no mobile phones, social media, or access to information. Even after the film became a hit, I remained just a normal girl. I didn’t feel any celebrity status because I lacked exposure to the industry.
Perfect arranged union
When I turned 24, my parents began looking for a suitable alliance. A friend from the USA suggested a match, and after verifying astrology and other factors, my parents introduced me to him. His name is Sri Ganesh and we call him Sri. It was a fully arranged marriage. He is broadminded and rooted in Indian and Telugu values. He regularly performs pooja and maintains our traditions. We have two children—my daughter Sloka, who is in 11th Grade and my son, who is in Class 9.
Letting life take its course
I never planned anything in life. You can plan a business or job, but my career was shaped by opportunities that came to me unexpectedly. I didn’t plan to play chess—it happened due to riots and my father’s coaching. I didn’t plan to act either. Offers came my way, and I took them. I always gave my best. If a film didn’t perform well, I would reflect on my performance and try to improve next time. Even now, Thammudu came to me. I liked the character—a strong officer—and agreed. I had received many offers before but didn’t find them significant enough.
Choosing roles was a challenge
After my debut became a hit, I got many offers, but I didn’t know how to choose roles. I was young and my parents were unfamiliar with the film industry. Naturally, we made some mistakes—some films were chosen based on the director’s reputation. However, directors like Gunasekhar gave me performance-driven roles that helped me establish myself.
Industry Evolution: Then vs Now
The film industry has changed tremendously over the last 20 years. Technology has advanced, and people are more prepared and performance-focused. The outlook has evolved—outfits, hairstyles, camera work, sound, FX, and even AI are now part of filmmaking. The process has become easier and more efficient. Many young women are now interested in action roles and dance, which is encouraging.
Low-Profile, Focused on Work
I’ve always focused on my work. After shooting, I head straight home. I don’t attend parties or functions unless it’s for film promotions. From the beginning of my career, I’ve been like this—quiet and focused. I don’t involve myself in what others are doing. I stick to my work and responsibilities.
Kids’ Hilarious Take on Her Films
My kids watch my old films and often find them amusing. They joke about my outfits, saying they looked overdressed back then. They laugh at some of the dance steps too. For some films, they ask why there were so many unnecessary songs. I explain to them that the six-song format was the norm in those days. Despite the jokes, they enjoy watching my films—and other Telugu movies—as well.
Learning from Gunasekhar
I won the Special Jury Nandi Award for my debut film Swayamvaram. For Manoharam, I won Best Actress, and it was directed by Gunasekhar. I learnt a lot from him. In Swayamvaram, I just followed instructions. But in Manoharam, Gunasekhar sir taught me how to deliver dialogue, how to prepare emotionally, and how to embody the scene. I owe a lot of my acting skills to him. Premichu also earned me a Nandi Award. I played a blind girl—a role many warned me against. But once I heard the story, I knew I had to do it. The emotional scenes between the parents and daughter still resonate with audiences.
Unwavering Family Support
When I got the offer, my family was very supportive. They told me that if the role is prominent, I should take it. I informed them that I’d have to stay in Hyderabad for six months and they agreed to manage. Though the shoot eventually took two years with breaks, I traveled back to the USA in between. My daughter is learning Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam and I teach her myself. While I haven’t planned her arangetram yet, she’s preparing for stage shows. I also run a dance school in the USA. If my children wish to enter the film industry, I’ll definitely support them—as long as they are committed and work hard.
Next Film with Actor Sivaji
I’ve signed my next film too, with actor Sivaji. Interestingly, we both participated in the Star 2000 contest—he was the runner-up in the men’s category, while I was runner-up in the women’s. I often feel like he’s my classmate. He’s always been helpful and gave me advice. I’ve acted with Sivaji in six films, three as his pair. We recently completed shooting for this new film, and the makers will announce it soon. Just like always, I didn’t ask for the role—they approached me. But I’m very choosy now. Even if it’s a small role, it should be impactful and memorable.
The Comeback with Thammudu
The director of Thammudu saw an interview clip of mine and reached out. They narrated the story over the phone, which I liked. A look test followed, and I even had to gain some weight for the role. Though I had a cameo in a film earlier, I don’t consider it part of my filmography. That was only because my daughter was acting in Amar Akbar Anthony and I accompanied her. So Thammudu is my true comeback film.
