Once Laya’s Co-Star, Balakrishna Now Shares Screen With Her Daughter

It’s often unpredictable how casting choices unfold in the film industry. Occasionally, an actress who once played a hero’s love interest might later be cast as his sister or even as his sibling. We've already witnessed many such surprising combinations.

Laya may not be a well-known name to today’s younger film audiences, but she was a prominent figure in the Telugu film industry in the early 2000s. Once seen as Balakrishna’s on-screen wife, Laya now sees her daughter stepping into the industry, also alongside Balakrishna.

Laya made her debut in the blockbuster Swayamvaram (1999), opposite Venu Thottempudi. The film's success turned her into a sought-after actress in Tollywood, and she went on to deliver a string of hits. However, she never quite reached the pinnacle of stardom.

Recently, Laya acted in Thammudu (2025) with Nithiin. She had previously shared the screen with Balakrishna in Vijayendra Varma (2004), where she played his wife. Although the film didn’t fare well commercially, their pairing was appreciated.

Now, reports suggest that Laya’s daughter is set to make her debut in Akhanda 2, the sequel to the hit film Akhanda (2021), starring Balakrishna. Sources indicate she will play a young girl in the film. An official confirmation is expected shortly.

Akhanda, released three years ago with modest expectations, became a massive success. The film’s appeal stemmed from Boyapati Srinu’s dynamic direction, Balakrishna’s commanding performance, and Thaman’s energetic background score. It struck a chord not only with Balakrishna’s fans but also with the wider audience.

Despite launching amid the COVID-19 pandemic with limited theatre occupancy, Akhanda broke box office records and redefined the action genre in Telugu cinema. The Balakrishna-Boyapati duo, who had already delivered hits like Simha (2010) and Legend (2014), completed a hat-trick with this film. Balakrishna’s portrayal of an Aghora character was particularly lauded.

The sequel, Akhanda 2, is planned for a September release. Director Boyapati Srinu reportedly has grand plans to further elevate Balakrishna’s character and thrill Nandamuri fans. In an interesting twist of cinematic fate, Balakrishna, who once shared romantic scenes with Laya, is now set to appear alongside her daughter on screen.