{{Short description|Indian actress, artist, and product designer (born 1986)}} {{Use British English|date=August 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Lekha Washington | image = File:Lekha Washington.jpg | caption = Washington in 2008 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1986|04|30}} | birth_place = | years_active = 2007–2017 | alma_mater = Stella Maris College, Chennai and National Institutes of Design | height = | occupation = Actor, product designer, artist, lyricist | website = | partner = {{ubl|Pablo Chatterji (former)|Imran Khan (present)}} }} '''Lekha Washington''' (born 30 April 1986)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lekha Washington |url=https://www.astaguru.com/artists/lekha-washington |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=AstaGuru |language=en |archive-date=15 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615165410/https://www.astaguru.com/artists/lekha-washington |url-status=live }}</ref> is an Indian actress, artist, and product designer who has predominantly appeared in Tamil and Telugu language films as well as a few Hindi films. She was first recognised for her work as a sculptor in 2002 and then as a theatre actress in Chennai based stage plays. After appearing as a video jockey with SS Music, Washington's breakthrough film role was as an independent estranged sister in ''Jayamkondaan'' (2008), whilst she has gone on to portray roles in the multi-starrer ''Vedam'' and the comedy ''Va''.
==Early life== Lekha Washington was born to a father of mixed Burmese, Italian and Punjabi ancestry, and a Maharashtrian mother.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_she-was-never-much-of-a-cricket-buff_1166257 |title=She was never much of a cricket buff – Entertainment – DNA |work=Daily News and Analysis |date=24 May 2008 |access-date=1 March 2013 |archive-date=1 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001112530/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_she-was-never-much-of-a-cricket-buff_1166257 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the mixed heritage, Lekha has stated she considers herself South Indian due to her upbringing in Chennai and speaks English and Marathi at home.<ref name="Bowled over">{{cite news |date=14 June 2008 |title=Bowled over |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/06/14/stories/2008061451641200.htm |access-date=22 January 2026 |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India |quote=Okay, I was raised in Chennai, so I consider myself South Indian. I speak English at home and Mom yells at me in Marathi. |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629022210/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/06/14/stories/2008061451641200.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
Washington did her schooling in Good Shepherd Convent, Chennai<ref>{{cite web |date=4 May 2014 |title=Art, Life and Filtered Water: The Lekha Washington Interview |url=https://silverscreen.in/tamil/features/art-life-filtered-water-lekha-washington-interview/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930051023/https://silverscreenindia.com/tamil/features/art-life-filtered-water-lekha-washington-interview/ |archive-date=30 September 2022 |access-date=17 October 2018 |work=Sinndhuja Ramprasad |publisher=Silverscreen}}</ref> and later pursued a degree in Fine Arts at Stella Maris College, Chennai and went on to attend the National Institute of Design taking courses, first in Lifestyle Product Design, and then re-applying to enrol in the Film and Video Communication course. During her time studying film-making, she opted for a career in "front of the camera, rather than from behind".<ref name="Bowled over"/> During her time on the course, she made three short films called ''Spoonerism'', ''Catch 22'' and ''Sunn'' with locations ranging from Myanmar to Mauritius.<ref>[http://www.lekhawashington.com/shortfilm.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202111703/http://www.lekhawashington.com/shortfilm.html|date=2 February 2011}}</ref>
==Acting career== While pursuing her education, she decided to appear in Chetan Shah's experimental English film, ''Framed'', and subsequently received offers to be a music video jockey from SS Music. In early 2007, Washington was signed on to play the lead role of an orthodox Tamil Brahmin girl alongside Silambarasan in his project ''Kettavan'', after the actor and the film's director Nanthu had spotted her at a cinema hall. She replaced the team's original choice Sana Khan in the lead role, but despite completing a schedule, the film was shelved and later cancelled after the lead actor and director had creative differences.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/13/stories/2007101351340200.htm |location=Chennai, India |title=Lekha Washington remains in 'Kettavan' |date=13 October 2007 |access-date=16 February 2011 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629022219/http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/13/stories/2007101351340200.htm |work=The Hindu |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vBclbclnCA |title=Simbu Cheated Me : Kettavan Director GT Nandhu First Exclusive Interview | STR Kettavan Coming Soon - YouTube |date=2 November 2017 |via=YouTube |access-date=7 November 2017 |archive-date=19 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119073647/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vBclbclnCA&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live}}</ref> She had earlier made an uncredited appearance in a song from the 1999 romance film ''Kadhalar Dhinam'' and also made a guest appearance in director Jeeva's 2007 film ''Unnale Unnale'' as a bride at a wedding. In November 2007, Washington signed on to play a supporting role in R. Kannan's directorial debut ''Jayamkondaan'' alongside Vinay Rai and Bhavana (actress).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/vinay-signs-a-film-news-tamil-kkfuuRcghcf.html |title=Vinay signs a film! |website=Sify |date=14 November 2007 |access-date=1 March 2013 |archive-date=19 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019112640/http://www.sify.com/movies/vinay-signs-a-film-news-tamil-kkfuuRcghcf.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> Appearing as Vinay Rai's estranged half sister, Brindha, in the film, Washington won critical acclaim for her role with a reviewer citing that she "sparkles as the half sister in a well etched role" and is "the surprise packet and has the credentials to make it big".<ref name="Sify">{{cite web |work=Sify.com (Moviebuzz) |title=Jayam Kondaan |url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=14748742&ctid=5&cid=2429 |access-date=29 August 2008 |archive-date=16 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916223551/http://www.sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?id=14748742&ctid=5&cid=2429 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Another critics cited that Washington "pulls off with élan" and "her costume spells class and character as does her performance", and subsequently the film went on to become a critical and commercial success.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/09/05/stories/2008090550050200.htm |location=Chennai, India |title=The makings of a winner |date=5 September 2008 |access-date=16 February 2011 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629022231/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/09/05/stories/2008090550050200.htm |work=The Hindu |url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2010, Washington appeared in three films in three regional languages. Her first release was in the multi-starrer ''Vedam'', where she played a role as a part of the troupe of a lead character, Manoj Manchu. The film won positive reviews, and Washington's small role was labelled as "adequate support" by critics, as the film enjoyed a successful run commercially.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://movies.rediff.com/review/2010/jun/04/south-telugu-movie-review-vedam.htm |title=Vedam is outstanding |access-date=14 March 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170322083714/http://movies.rediff.com/review/2010/jun/04/south-telugu-movie-review-vedam.htm |archive-date=22 March 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 June 2010 |title=Vedam tops BO |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14944674&cid=14625527 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126173719/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=14944674&cid=14625527 |archive-date=2011-11-26 |access-date=16 February 2011 |website=Sify}}</ref> She then appeared in Pushkar-Gayathri's comedy film, ''Va'', playing a suicidal schoolgirl who meets the characters of Shiva and Charan on an election night in Chennai. The film received average reviews, whilst Washington's portrayal also received mixed acclaim with a reviewer citing that she "carries off her role of a dimwit quite well", whilst another cites that she "does not impress and needs to brush up her acting skills and lip sync".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/va-quarter-cutting-review-tamil-14958606.html |title=Review : (2010) |website=Sify |access-date=25 June 2013 |archive-date=7 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907031242/http://www.sify.com/movies/va-quarter-cutting-review-tamil-14958606.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2010/11/14/stories/2010111450060300.htm |location=Chennai, India |date=14 November 2010 |title=The Hindu : Cinema Plus / Film Review : Cut and dried -- '''Va, Quarter Cutting''' |access-date=16 February 2011 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629022253/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2010/11/14/stories/2010111450060300.htm |work=The Hindu |url-status=dead}}</ref> Her final release of the year was the romantic Kannada film, ''Huduga Hudugi'' opposite Sameer Dattani, which became a commercial and critical failure, with Washington receiving mixed reviews for her role.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/huduga-hudugi-is-a-remix-of-bollywood-blockbusters-kannada-film-review-news-national-klnraifbigg.html |title='Huduga Hudugi' is a remix of Bollywood blockbusters (Kannada Film Review) |website=Sify |access-date=16 February 2011 |archive-date=19 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219014946/http://www.sify.com/movies/huduga-hudugi-is-a-remix-of-bollywood-blockbusters-kannada-film-review-news-national-klnraifbigg.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-huduga-hudugi/20101112.htm |title=Nothing new in Huduga Hudugi |access-date=16 February 2011 |archive-date=18 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110118012442/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-huduga-hudugi/20101112.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>
Washington was signed on to appear in her debut Hindi film, John Owen's ''Peter Gaya Kaam Se'' beating hundred other actresses in an audition, after the producers felt that "she looked like a super model, could play football and was an Anglo-Indian".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Whats-in-a-name-asks-Lekha/articleshow/5219228.cms |title=What's in a name, asks Lekha |date=12 November 2009 |access-date=30 June 2013 |archive-date=5 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105150419/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-11-12/news-interviews/28067091_1_peter-gaya-kaam-se-auditions-rajeev-khandelwal |work=The Times of India |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_lekha-washington-to-break-hearts_1229961 |title=Lekha Washington to break hearts – Entertainment – DNA |work=Daily News and Analysis |date=11 February 2009 |access-date=1 March 2013 |archive-date=3 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003030110/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_lekha-washington-to-break-hearts_1229961 |url-status=live}}</ref> The film opposite Rajeev Khandelwal features Washington as Mira, an undercover agent, but is yet to release, after disputes between the producers and the director.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/lekha-washington-goes-to-bollywood-news-tamil-kkfstFfbdhg.html |title=Lekha Washington goes to Bollywood! |website=Sify |date=18 February 2009 |access-date=1 March 2013 |archive-date=21 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021005421/http://www.sify.com/movies/lekha-washington-goes-to-bollywood-news-tamil-kkfstFfbdhg.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> She has also shot for another Hindi project, ''Power'' by Rajkumar Santoshi, featuring her as Sneha alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgan, though the film has been delayed.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Lekha-is-Santoshis-latest-muse/articleshow/6711222.cms |title=Lekha is Santoshi's latest muse |date=8 October 2010 |access-date=30 June 2013 |archive-date=2 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102205909/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-10-08/news-interviews/28215189_1_lekha-washington-rajkumar-santoshi-peter-gaya-kaam-se |work=The Times of India |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, Washington was seen in ''Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola'' as Imran Khan's friend.<ref name="articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Weary-about-future-projects-Lekha-Washington/articleshow/18194599.cms |title=Weary about future projects: Lekha Washington |access-date=24 May 2013 |archive-date=2 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102192818/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-26/news-interviews/36563632_1_peter-gaya-kaam-se-telugu-sanjay-dutt |work=The Times of India |url-status=live}}</ref> She won acclaim for her portrayal of a Tamil Brahmin bride in the romantic comedy ''Kalyana Samayal Saadham'' (2013), before portraying a guest role in the action thriller ''Arima Nambi'' (2014).
== Artistic career == Alongside her work in film, Washington has developed a parallel career as a product designer and installation artist. A graduate of the National Institute of Design (NID), she moved from design into acting before returning to furniture and object design and launching her label Ajji in Mumbai, which she has described as a way to pursue her ideas in product and functional art.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |date=11 August 2016 |title=Lekha Washington: EDIDA 2015 Young Talent winner |url=https://elledecor.in/lekha-washington-edida-2015-young-talent-winner/ |access-date=20 November 2025 |work=Elle Decor India}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite news |date=20 August 2015 |title=Lekha's Quirky Touch to furniture |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2015/Aug/20/lekhas-quirky-touch-to-furniture-802117.html |access-date=20 November 2025 |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref>
Her early furniture and object designs under Ajji included sculptural pieces such as the Pink Sink chair, Squair, the modular Dot and Atom units and the Drop chair, which have been exhibited through design stores and covered in the press as examples of “quirky” furniture that blurs the line between functional design and art.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{cite news |date=20 May 2016 |title=Rise of the rebels: Lekha Washington |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/supplement/story/20160530-rise-of-the-rebels-lekha-washington-aakriti-kumar-sandeep-sangaru-ranjan-bordoloi-828946-2016-05-20 |access-date=20 November 2025 |work=India Today}}</ref>
Washington’s design work gained wider recognition when she was named Young Talent (joint winner) at the 2015 EDIDA (ELLE DECO International Design Awards) India, a distinction that also gave her the opportunity to show her products at the Ambiente fair in Frankfurt.<ref name=":0" />
Her studio practice has been profiled as a hybrid living and working space in a restored 150-year-old bungalow in Ranwar Village, Bandra, described as a multi-functional environment for furniture, functional art and large-scale installations.<ref>{{cite news |date=14 November 2016 |title=Room for change: Step inside Lekha Washington's studio reinvention |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.in/article/step-inside-studio-reinvention/ |access-date=20 November 2025 |work=Architectural Digest India |archive-date=25 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325014159/https://www.architecturaldigest.in/article/step-inside-studio-reinvention/ |url-status=live }}</ref> India Today has similarly characterised her as part of a generation of “rebel” product designers experimenting with unconventional forms and materials.<ref name=":2" />
Beyond furniture, Washington has created public and installation works around a recurring moon motif. In 2021 she produced Chand, a 12-foot-wide steel orb installed above a junction near Carter Road in Bandra, Mumbai; India Today described the work as “bringing the moon down to Bandra”, while the RPG Art Foundation lists Chand among its public art projects in the city.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 April 2022 |title=Lekha Washington: Reaching for the moon |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/leisure/story/20220425-lekha-washington-reaching-for-the-moon-1937603-2022-04-14 |access-date=20 November 2025 |work=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Chand |url=https://www.rpggroup.com/rpg-art-foundation |access-date=20 November 2025 |website=RPG Art Foundation |archive-date=18 October 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251018190246/https://www.rpggroup.com/rpg-art-foundation |url-status=live }}</ref>
Her lunar-themed work has also extended to international festivals. The EDIDA profile noted in 2016 that she was experimenting with technology-driven art installations, including a planned work for the Burning Man festival.<ref name=":0" /> In 2018, Burning Man’s official Journal documented an Honoraria artwork titled ''This Too Shall Pass – Moondancer'' by Washington, describing it as an installation from India that appeared as a second moon over Black Rock City.<ref>{{cite web |date=19 June 2019 |title=3. This Too Shall Pass – Moondancer by Lekha Washington, from India, Honoraria 2018 |url=https://journal.burningman.org/2019/06/burning-man-arts/brc-art/the-challenge-of-long-distance-art-affairs/attachment/3-this-too-shall-pass-moondancer-by-lekha-washington-from-india-honoraria-2018-photo_-alex-medina-moon-pablo-chaterji-sky/ |access-date=20 November 2025 |website=Burning Man Journal |archive-date=14 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250814102846/https://journal.burningman.org/2019/06/burning-man-arts/brc-art/the-challenge-of-long-distance-art-affairs/attachment/3-this-too-shall-pass-moondancer-by-lekha-washington-from-india-honoraria-2018-photo_-alex-medina-moon-pablo-chaterji-sky/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In a 2024 interview she referred to creating a “second moon” for Burning Man, seen by tens of thousands of people, as one of her most important artistic experiences and said she hoped to continue working at that scale by integrating performance and installation.<ref name=":3">{{cite news |date=10 December 2024 |title=Exclusive – Lekha Washington on the artistic journey from an actor and life with actor Imran Khan |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/exclusive-lekha-washington-on-the-artistic-journey-from-an-actor-and-life-with-actor-imran-khan-article-12884623.html |access-date=20 November 2025 |work=Moneycontrol |archive-date=8 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208132607/https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/exclusive-lekha-washington-on-the-artistic-journey-from-an-actor-and-life-with-actor-imran-khan-article-12884623.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Washington returned to Burning Man as an Honoraria artist in 2022 with ''The Apocalypse is Breathtaking: Flame of the Forest'', which the Burning Man Journal describes as a Japanese-inspired sculptural tree reflecting on climate and ecological themes.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 March 2022 |title=Introducing the 2022 Black Rock City Honoraria |url=https://journal.burningman.org/2022/03/burning-man-arts/brc-art/announcing-2022-brc-honoraria/ |access-date=20 November 2025 |website=Burning Man Journal |archive-date=24 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251124170814/https://journal.burningman.org/2022/03/burning-man-arts/brc-art/announcing-2022-brc-honoraria/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the Moneycontrol interview she characterised her current work as a “thriving” artistic practice exploring nature and abstraction and expressed a desire to continue creating large-scale installations that bring together performance, technology and public participation.<ref name=":3" />
== Other work == Washington has also been involved in English stage plays held in Chennai, featuring in Madras Player's production of ''Twelfth Night'' in 2002 as Viola.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/02/08/stories/2002020801250300.htm |location=Chennai, India |title=An evening with Shakespeare |date=8 February 2002 |access-date=16 February 2011 |archive-date=26 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126010810/http://hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/02/08/stories/2002020801250300.htm |work=The Hindu |url-status=dead}}</ref> She has also been active in directing the theatre troupe, Khel.
During the maiden season of the Indian Premier League, Washington was signed on to anchor an analysis and interview show which provided coverage of the cricket played.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}} To prepare for the role, Washington did research through cricketing journals and enlisted help from Ajay Jadeja, hoping for her reporting to reach a widespread audience. Notably during her time as a reporter, she was briefly criticised for asking umpire Asad Rauf which franchise he had rooted for, as a part of a joke.<ref name="Bowled over"/> However, her stint was considered successful and helped her gain more offers from film producers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephenson |first=Andrew |date=2008-07-12 |title=Washington in a Capital Performance! |url=https://bollyspice.com/washington-in-a-capital-performance/ |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=BollySpice.com - The latest movies, interviews in Bollywood |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Personal life== An agnostic, Washington in 2011 revealed that "organised religion scares [her]". She believes in karma.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-03-16 |title=Organised religion scares me: Lekha |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/organised-religion-scares-me-lekha/articleshow/7709600.cms |access-date=2024-12-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=8 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208070653/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/organised-religion-scares-me-lekha/articleshow/7709600.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>
Several media reports from 2017 noted that Lekha Washington had been in a long-term relationship with Pablo Chatterji, with coverage describing a private “''marriage-ish''” ceremony held in Alibaug in November that year. However, the reports did not confirm a legal marriage, and mainstream publications later clarified that she had separated from a partner — not a husband — as earlier rumours had suggested.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-11-11 |title=We're together, says Lekha |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/were-together-says-lekha/articleshow/61607652.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-11-14 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>{{AI-retrieved source|date=March 2026|checked=no}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-09 |title=Imran Khan and girlfriend Lekha Washington hold hands as they step out for date, pose for paparazzi. Watch |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/imran-khan-girlfriend-lekha-washington-hold-hands-step-out-for-date-pose-for-paparazzi-watch-101731132397472.html |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=7 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207200104/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/imran-khan-girlfriend-lekha-washington-hold-hands-step-out-for-date-pose-for-paparazzi-watch-101731132397472.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-07 |title=Imran Khan confirms he's divorced from Avantika, says new girlfriend Lekha Washington isn't a 'homewrecker' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/imran-khan-confirms-hes-divorced-from-avantika-says-new-girlfriend-lekha-washington-isnt-a-homewrecker-101709793608856.html |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=17 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917045241/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/imran-khan-confirms-hes-divorced-from-avantika-says-new-girlfriend-lekha-washington-isnt-a-homewrecker-101709793608856.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2024, Washington publicly confirmed her relationship with actor Imran Khan in interviews where both stated that they were “mutually, madly in love.”<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-07 |title=Imran Khan's girlfriend Lekha Washington opens up about him for first time, says they are 'mutually, madly in love' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/imran-khans-girlfriend-lekha-washington-opens-up-about-him-for-first-time-101733553648776.html |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=22 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122021832/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/imran-khans-girlfriend-lekha-washington-opens-up-about-him-for-first-time-101733553648776.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Film !! Role !! Language !! Notes |- || 1999 || ''Kadhalar Dhinam'' || Girl at Computer || Tamil || Cameo appearance in "O Maria" song |- || 2004 || ''Yuva'' || Girl at embassy|| Hindi || Cameo appearance |- | rowspan="2"| 2007 || ''Framed'' || Vini || English|| |- | ''Unnale Unnale'' || Bride at a Wedding || rowspan="2" | Tamil || Cameo appearance in "Ilamai Ullasam" song |- || 2008 || ''Jayamkondaan''|| Brinda Sekhar || Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actress |- | rowspan="3"| 2010 || ''Vedam'' || Lasya || Telugu || |- | ''Va''|| Saraswathi || Tamil || |- | ''Huduga Hudugi'' || Sonia || Kannada || |- | rowspan="3"| 2013 || ''Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola'' || Kamini || Hindi || Cameo appearance |- | ''Kamina'' || Vasuki || Telugu || |- | ''Kalyana Samayal Saadham'' || Meera Chandrasekaran || rowspan="2" | Tamil || |- | rowspan="2"| 2014 ||''Arima Nambi''|| Megha Sharma || Guest appearance |- | ''Peter Gaya Kaam Se''|| Mira || Hindi || |- |}
===As lyricist=== * ''Rangoon'' (2017){{efn|Wrote the lyrics for two songs: "Shimmy Shake" and "Be Still"}} Washington wrote the English-language lyrics for two songs in Vishal Bhardwaj’s film ''Rangoon'' (2017), contributing the tracks “Be Still” and “Shimmy Shake” to the soundtrack.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 February 2017 |title=Soundtrack review: ''Rangoon'' is an eclectic and often dazzling mix of old and new musical styles |url=https://scroll.in/reel/827799/soundtrack-review-rangoon-is-an-eclectic-and-often-dazzling-mix-of-old-and-new-musical-styles |access-date=20 November 2025 |work=Scroll.in |archive-date=2 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241102051242/https://scroll.in/reel/827799/soundtrack-review-rangoon-is-an-eclectic-and-often-dazzling-mix-of-old-and-new-musical-styles |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==External links== {{commons}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110202111644/http://lekhawashington.com/index.html Official website] * {{IMDb name|id=3262096}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Washington, Lekha}} Category:1984 births Category:Indian film actresses Category:Living people Category:Punjabi women Category:Indian people of Italian descent Category:Indian people of Burmese descent Category:National Institute of Design alumni Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema Category:Indian contemporary artists Category:21st-century Indian women sculptors Category:21st-century Indian sculptors Category:Public art in Mumbai Category:Artists from Mumbai