Lissy was born as the only child to Nellikaattil Pappachan (Varkey)[1] and Aleyamma at Pazhanganad, Pukkattupadi, Kochi in Kerala. Her parents divorced when she was very young and she was brought up by her mother Aleyamma.[2] Lissy did her studies at St. Teresa's School and College.[3]
She was a bright student and scored good marks during her schooling. She started her career at the age of 15 when she was studying for pre-university degree. She had to discontinue her studies to concentrate on her career.[4]
Her debut into films happened in the early '80s and in a short period of time, she became one of the top heroines of the time.[citation needed] Though Lissy had been paired with almost all the top heroes of the eighties, it was along with Mohanlal and Mukesh that she was able to create magic on screen.[citation needed] Even at the peak of her career, she played sister roles, the girl next door, and the heroine's friend. Known for her stunning and mesmerizing looks, she was able to grab the hearts of viewers. Along with Malayalam films, Lissy also had appeared in several Tamil, and Telugu films. Lissy is most remembered for her roles in Chithram, Thalavattom, Odaruthammava Alariyam, Mutharamkunnu P.O. and Boeing Boeing. As she stated in an interview with manam magazine[5] she was introduced to Tamil films by Kamal Haasan as his heroine in his home production, Vikram.
She fell in love with the noted film director Priyadarshan, and married him on 13 December 1990.[6] After marriage, Lissy gave up acting and adopted the name Lakshmi for religious reasons.[7] After the birth of their son, Lissy converted to Hindu religion from Catholicism.[8]
Lissy filed for divorce on 1 December 2014 in a Chennai family court and was divorced on 1 September 2016, after 26 years of marriage.[9]
^Lissy. വിജയങ്ങളുടെ വീട്ടില് [In the house of victories]. Mathrubhumi Eves (Interview) (in Malayalam). Interviewed by Menon, Madhu K. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
