Once upon a time in the coastal town of Udupi, a young girl with stars in her eyes and a curious mind walked out of her classroom and straight into the limelight. Srilakshmi K—whom the world would come to know as Sree Mayya on-screen, and Vinishka Sri Lakshmi in boardrooms—wasn’t one to follow the conventional script. Instead, she chose to write her own.
She skipped the college corridors for the sets of Kannada television, and from that very first gig as an anchor interviewing doctors, she was a natural. The camera loved her. So did the audience.
A Star is Born
Her breakthrough came with the serial Mutaide on Kasturi channel, followed by Paduvarahalli Paddegalu opposite Master Anand on Suvarna. But it was her role as Pallu in Panduranga Vittala that etched her into the hearts of viewers across Karnataka. To this day, people greet her as “Deveru Kotta Tangi”—God-given sister.
What followed was a glittering career—Charanadasi (as Indira), Bharathi, E Bandana, Onde Goodina Hakkigalu—each show a massive hit, many running for over 750 episodes. She wasn’t just a lead actress; she was the face of Kannada television, often working from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. with barely a day off.
Modeling? Check. Endorsements? Check. Popularity? Through the roof.
But somewhere between the applause and the spotlights, Sree Mayya felt a whisper. A pull. A question: “What’s next?”
When the Stage Shifted
Leaving television wasn’t easy. After all, it had given her everything—fame, financial freedom, and a sea of connections. But it also gave her something rarer: perspective. She realized her greatest strength wasn’t just her ability to perform, but her ability to connect—with people, with ideas, with possibilities.
And so, she swapped her script for spreadsheets and founded Vinishka Infra Tech Projects LLP, a global consulting firm that works across infrastructure, oil and gas, real estate, renewable energy, and strategic PR.
From glitzy store inaugurations to high-stakes business negotiations, Vinishka had entered a new world—but with the same poise and passion she brought to her TV roles. Today, she leads with the mantra: “Connecting globally, succeeding together.”
With her business partner Bhagath Rupesh by her side, she’s grown the company from a home-office start-up to a dynamic player in the consulting space. Her approach? Grit, grace, and the kind of network you can’t build overnight.
Her Network is Her Net Worth
In the cut-throat world of business, where strategy and timing are everything, Vinishka stands out not just as a female founder—but as a connector. Her decade-long stint in television made her a household name, but it also gave her access to power corridors—political, industrial, and social.
And she’s using that access wisely.
Her PR savvy, people-first mindset, and natural charisma make her the go-to person when someone needs a door opened—or a problem solved. Many of her clients were once fans. Some were friends. Now, they’re collaborators on projects that span borders and industries.
A Heart That Still Belongs to the Voiceless
But make no mistake—beneath the sharp business mind is a heart that beats for animals, nature, and those often unheard. Her love for stray animals is legendary. During the pandemic, she faced opposition for feeding strays. It hurt, but it fueled her mission even more: to build a life so successful that she could give back to the voiceless at scale.
Whether through eco-conscious campaigns, her role in the environmental film Odala Uri, or personal philanthropy, she’s using her influence to create impact.
Looking Ahead with Spark and Soul
No, she doesn’t regret leaving TV. But yes, she’s plotting a return—in a new avatar. Something unexpected. Something bold. “You’ll be the first to know,” she says with a knowing smile.
And that’s the thing about Vinishka Sri Lakshmi—she’s not done. Not even close.
With one foot in the corporate world and another in causes that matter, she’s building more than just a business—she’s building a legacy.
And whether she’s being called Sree Mayya, Deveru Kotta Tangi, or Vinishka, the story remains the same: a woman who dared to rewrite the narrative. One connection at a time.
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