Meet Likitha Murthy, the ‘Jhansi’ of Telugu television

Likitha Murthy in Jhansi, a Warrior
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement

Likitha Murthy has portrayed multiple characters in her five-year television journey, but Jhansi is unlike any role she has taken on before. “I have played simple characters but never truly challenged myself. Jhansi, an advocate by profession, is determined and passionate about law and fights for the vulnerable,” says Likitha, who plays the title role in Jhansi: A Warrior.

Directed by Kaapuganti Raghu, the daily serial on ETV Telugu is an emotional courtroom drama, featuring intense confrontations between lawyers Jhansi and Mrunalini (played by Jayashree S Raj).

Emphasising the importance of legal awareness in an empowered society, Jhansi highlights the rule of law in delivering justice to the underprivileged. “The story progresses with logic and maintains a sense of realism. The serial illustrates how we can fight and win against powerful figures through the legal system.”

Preparing for the role

The historical character Draupadi has always been Likitha’s inspiration. To prepare for her role as Jhansi, she revisited the Mahabharat series online, particularly Pooja Sharma’s portrayal of Draupadi, as well as the Kannada serial Mukta Mukta to familiarise herself with legal principles. Additionally, she read Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s The Palace of Illusions to gain deeper insight into Draupadi’s perspective.

To embody Jhansi, Likitha consciously adapted her body language, gestures, and tone, developing a more assertive presence. Although her voice is dubbed, she was instructed to project her voice strongly during filming to ensure her performance looked natural on screen.

Television was not unfamiliar territory for the Murthy family, as Likitha’s sister, Kalpitha, was already working on Okariki Okaru on ETV. A Kannadiga from Bengaluru, Likitha, who sings as a hobby, got her first acting opportunity through Anjana Arts for their serial Bangaru Panjaram on Star Maa. Playing Mahalakshmi, a young woman married to a much older man, Likitha made her television debut in 2019, marking the beginning of her acting journey.

Diverse characters

Likitha is also seen in Maa Inti Devatha on Gemini TV, where she plays Bhoomi, a lively, young woman with supportive parents, particularly her father. Comparing the two roles she juggles each week, she says, “Bhoomi is a fun, bubbly young woman with parental support, whereas Jhansi is an orphan — strong, independent, and determined to stand up for herself and those who rely on the law for justice.”

A strong advocate for education, Likitha is proud that she managed to complete her Master’s in Commerce (M.Com.) despite her demanding shooting schedule. “In the pursuit of our dreams, I believe we should never neglect education,” she affirms.

Dividing her time between Bengaluru and Hyderabad, Likitha has deep appreciation for the Telugu television industry and its audience. “People here take care of me like their own daughter, and the audience truly showers love on me and my characters,” she says.

Jhansi A Warrior on ETV from Monday-Saturday at 7 pm