Leelavathi (actress)
Encyclopedia
Leelavathi (born 1938) is a Kannada film actress who predominantly worked in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu. She has acted with legends such as Rajkumar
, M. G. Ramachandran
, N. T. Rama Rao
, Sivaji Ganeshan, Shankar Nag
, Kamal Hassan, Vishnuvardhan
, Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi
and various popular artists in her films. She has acted in more than 600 films (in that 300 are Kannada films) throughout career of more than 50 years. Her performance in Nagarahavu
- (Devre Devre), Avargal
are very remembered and prominent among the people.
She is the only Kannada actress to receive Doctorate. She has won various awards throughout her career, including prestigious Rajkumar award in 1999, State awards and National Awards.
village in Dakshin Kannada Leelavathi came with hope to Mysore. She used to wash vessels for her livelihood, until she got a comfortable standing as the top heroine Dr Leelavathi. She underwent many pains during that time. Some of them are tucked even today in her memory. For Ranadheera Kanteerava film she was booked for Rs.1500 as remuneration. She says ‘Life is like a train. You expect delays from time to time but not a derailment’. That is in a nutshell the life of Leelavathi. The winner against all odds! Despite of derailment she managed to come on the tracks to continue the life. In that way she is a torchbearer to others.
Karnataka State Film Awards
Filmfare Awards South
, but later it came into light by TV9 News report telecasted on 25th Oct.
Rajkumar
Rajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry...
, M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. Ramachandran
Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran , popularly known by his initials , was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician....
, N. T. Rama Rao
N. T. Rama Rao
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao , also known as NTR and fondly referred to as Anna Garu, was an Indian film actor, director, producer, and a politician...
, Sivaji Ganeshan, Shankar Nag
Shankar Nag
Shankar Nagarkatte , 9 November 1954 - 30 September 1990) popularly known as Shankar Nag was a popular actor and director of Kannada cinema. He also directed and acted in the teleserial, Malgudi days, based on celebrated novelist R.K.Narayan's short stories. Besides these, he was actively involved...
, Kamal Hassan, Vishnuvardhan
Vishnuvardhan
Sampath Kumar , popularly known as Vishnuvardhan , was a prominent Indian film actor. He has acted in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil films. He has acted in over 220 movies in total that includes 200 Kannada movies, 5 Hindi movies, 5 Telugu movies, 3 Malayalam movies and 6 Tamil movies...
, Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi
Chiranjeevi
Chiranjeevi is a Telugu film actor and a politician. He has appeared primarily in Telugu Cinema along with a few Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films. He made his acting debut in Punadhirallu . However, Pranam Khareedu released at the box office earlier...
and various popular artists in her films. She has acted in more than 600 films (in that 300 are Kannada films) throughout career of more than 50 years. Her performance in Nagarahavu
Nagarahavu
Naagara Havu is a Kannada film released in 2002 starring Superstar Upendra, Jyotika. It was a remake of The Hindi film Baazigar directed by Abbas-Mustan.It was a super hit movie of the year.-Plot:...
- (Devre Devre), Avargal
Avargal
Avargal is a 1977 Tamil film made by K. Balachander starring Sujatha, Kamal Hassan and Rajinikanth. The film had a reputation of being one of most sensitive movies on women’s lib. The same director later remade it into the Telugu film Idi Katha Kaadu with Kamal Hassan repeating his role...
are very remembered and prominent among the people.
She is the only Kannada actress to receive Doctorate. She has won various awards throughout her career, including prestigious Rajkumar award in 1999, State awards and National Awards.
Early life
Born in BelthangadyBelthangady
Belthangady is the headquarters of Belthangady taluk of the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka state in India. Belthangady taluk is mostly covered by forests. Western ghats provide scenic beauty, especially during the monsoon season that usually lasts from the month of June to September...
village in Dakshin Kannada Leelavathi came with hope to Mysore. She used to wash vessels for her livelihood, until she got a comfortable standing as the top heroine Dr Leelavathi. She underwent many pains during that time. Some of them are tucked even today in her memory. For Ranadheera Kanteerava film she was booked for Rs.1500 as remuneration. She says ‘Life is like a train. You expect delays from time to time but not a derailment’. That is in a nutshell the life of Leelavathi. The winner against all odds! Despite of derailment she managed to come on the tracks to continue the life. In that way she is a torchbearer to others.
Film career
After moving to Mysore, she got a small role in Shanker Singh film Naga Kannika. She joined the Mahalinga Bhagavathar team Sri Sahitya Samrajya Drama troupe. She got a chance to act in Subbainaidu ‘Bhakta Prahallada. Mangalya Yoga, Dharma Vijaya, Ranadheera Kanteerava she got paltry roles. It was from ‘Rani Honnamma’ Leelavathi became the heroine and did not turn back. Santha Thukaram, Kantheradhu Nodu, Kaivara Mahatme, Gali Gopura, Kanyarathna, Kulavadhu, Veera Kesari, Mana Mechchida Madadhi etc. she proved her mettle as a competitive heroine. Even when started accepting the supporting actress the power of acting was more graduated. Gejje Pooje, Sipayi Ramu, Doctor Krishna she received the state award. Because of her oddity in acting, she had sometimes received the double the remuneration of heroes in her films.As Actress
| Year | Film | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Bhakta Prahlada | Kannada | With Rajkumar Rajkumar Rajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry... |
| 1958 | Mangalya Yoga | First Film | |
| 1958 | Raja Malaya Simhan | ||
| 1959 | Abba! A Hudgi | Kannada | |
| 1959 | Dharma Vijaya | Kannada | |
| 1960 | Dashavtara | ||
| 1960 | Ranadheera Kanteerava | ||
| 1960 | Rani Honamma | ||
| 1961 | Kaivara Mahatme | Kannada | |
| 1961 | Kantheredu Nodu | Kannada | |
| 1962 | Galli Gopura | Kannada | |
| 1962 | Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu | Kannada | |
| 1962 | Bhoodana | Kannada | With Udaya Kumar, Rajkumar Rajkumar Rajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry... , Kalyan Kumar Kalyan Kumar Kalyan Kumar was a Kannada film actor. During 60s and 70s there were three prominent Kannada Film actors and among them Kalyan Kumar was one; the others being Rajkumar and Udayakumar. He was the protagonist in the first ever full length Kannada film in colour. Kalyan Kumar along with Udaykumar,... |
| 1962 | Mana Mechhida Madadi | ||
| 1962 | Nanda-Deepa | ||
| 1962 | Pattinathaar | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... Film |
First Tamil Film |
| 1962 | Rani Chanamma | ||
| 1962 | Ratnamanjari | ||
| 1962 | Sumaithangal | ||
| 1962 | Valar Pirai | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... Film |
With Sivaji Ganesan Sivaji Ganesan Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar , commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan , was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century. He is one of the most respected film actors in India. He is well known for his versatility and acting skills with... |
| 1962 | Vidhi Vilasa | ||
| 1963 | Kulavadhu | Kannada | |
| 1963 | Kanya Ratna | Kannada | |
| 1963 | Kalitharu Henne | Kannada | |
| 1963 | Bevu Bella | Kannada | |
| 1963 | Jeevana Taranga | Kannada | |
| 1963 | Malli Madhuve | Kannada | |
| 1963 | Mana Mechhida Madadi | ||
| 1963 | Santa Tukaram | National Award, With Rajkumar Rajkumar Rajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry... |
|
| 1963 | Valmiki | Telugu Telugu language Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu... Film |
With N. T. Rama Rao N. T. Rama Rao Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao , also known as NTR and fondly referred to as Anna Garu, was an Indian film actor, director, producer, and a politician... |
| 1963 | Veera Kesari | With Rajkumar Rajkumar Rajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry... |
|
| 1964 | Marmayogi | Telugu Telugu language Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu... |
First Telugu Film |
| 1964 | Shivarathri Mahatme | ||
| 1964 | Thumbida Koda | State Award | |
| 1965 | Chandrahasa | Kannada | |
| 1965 | Ide Mahasudina | Kannada | |
| 1965 | Maduve Maadi Nodu | National Award, With Rajkumar Rajkumar Rajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry... |
|
| 1965 | Naga Pooja | ||
| 1965 | Vatsalya | ||
| 1965 | Veera Vikrama | With Udaya Kumar | |
| 1966 | Mohini Bhasmasura | Kannada | |
| 1966 | Prema Mayi | ||
| 1966 | Paduka Pattabhishekhamu | ||
| 1966 | Thoogu Deepa | ||
| 1967 | Gange Gowri | Kannada | |
| 1968 | Anna Thamma | Kannada | |
| 1968 | Attegondukala Sosegondukala | Kannada | |
| 1968 | Bhagya Devathe | Kannada | |
| 1968 | Mammathe | ||
| 1969 | Kalpa Vruksha | Kannada | |
| 1969 | Brindavana | Kannada | |
| 1969 | Gejje Pooje | Kannada | State Award |
| 1970 | Aaru Mooru Ombattu | Kannada | |
| 1970 | Boregowda Bangaloruge Banda | Kannada | With Rajesh Rajesh (Kannada Actor) Rajesh was a popular hero of Kannada films in the yesteryears. Known as ‘Kala Thapswi’ Rajesh five feet 10 inches is an ardent fan of literature. Vidyasagar is the original name of Rajesh. He acted in many movies as a hero in the late 60's and 70's but later on started acting in character roles.... |
| 1970 | Aparajithe | Kannada | |
| 1970 | Sukha Samsara | ||
| 1971 | Signalman Siddappa | ||
| 1971 | Sipayi Ramu | State Award | |
| 1971 | Sothu Geddavalu | ||
| 1971 | Sharapanjara | ||
| 1972 | Dharmapatni | Kannada | |
| 1972 | Naagarahavu | With Vishnuvardhan Vishnuvardhan Sampath Kumar , popularly known as Vishnuvardhan , was a prominent Indian film actor. He has acted in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil films. He has acted in over 220 movies in total that includes 200 Kannada movies, 5 Hindi movies, 5 Telugu movies, 3 Malayalam movies and 6 Tamil movies... |
|
| 1972 | Naa Mechida Huduga | Kannada | With Kalpana Kalpana (Kannada actress) Kalpana was a very popular Kannada cinema actress. Her epithet was Minugu taare . A versatile actress, she dominated the Kannada film industry during the late 1960s and 1970s and was critically acclaimed for her roles in movies like Sharapanjara, Gejje Pooje, Belli moda, Eradu Kanasu, Kappu Bilupu,... |
| 1973 | Muruvare Vajragalu | ||
| 1973 | Premapasha | ||
| 1973 | Sahadharmini | ||
| 1974 | Bhakta Kumbhara | Kannada | |
| 1974 | Devara Gudi | Kannada | |
| 1974 | Aval Oru Thodar Kathai | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... |
With Kamal Hassan |
| 1974 | Idu Namma Desha | Kannada | |
| 1974 | Maga Mommaga | ||
| 1974 | Maha Thyaga | ||
| 1974 | Naan Avanillai | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... |
With Gemini Ganesan Gemini Ganesan Ramaswami Ganesan , popularly known as Gemini Ganesan , was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" of Tamil cinema for the romantic roles he played in movies.... |
| 1974 | Professor Huchuraya | ||
| 1974 | Upasane | With Aarathi Aarathi Aarathi is an Indian actress and producer of Kannada movies.She first became popular during the late 1970s and 1980s, and was recognised for her roles in movies such as Naagarahaavu, Edakallu Guddada Mele, Bili Hendthi, Dharmasere, Paduvaaralli Pandavaru, Ranganayaki, Hombisilu, Upaasane and... |
|
| 1975 | Bhagya Jyothi | Kannada | |
| 1975 | Bili Hendthi | Kannada | |
| 1975 | Hennu Samsarada Kannu | Kannada | |
| 1975 | Hosilu Mettida Hennu | Kannada | |
| 1975 | Koodi Balona | Kannada | |
| 1975 | Katha Sangama | Kannada | With Rajinikanth |
| 1975 | Kalla Kulla | Kannada | |
| 1976 | Bangarada Gudi | Kannada | |
| 1976 | College Ranga | Kannada | |
| 1976 | Makkala Bhagya | ||
| 1976 | Na Ninna Mareyalare | ||
| 1976 | Phalithamsha | ||
| 1977 | Deepa | Kannada | |
| 1977 | Avargal | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... |
With Rajinikanth |
| 1977 | Dhanalakshmi | Kannada | |
| 1977 | Kumkuma Rakshe | ||
| 1977 | Mugdha Manava | ||
| 1977 | Solah Shukrawar | ||
| 1977 | Veera Sindhoora Lakshmana | ||
| 1978 | Devadasi | Kannada | |
| 1978 | Kiladi Jodi | Kannada | |
| 1978 | Gammathu Goodacharulu | ||
| 1978 | Kiladi Kittu | Kannada | |
| 1978 | Maathu Thappadha Maga | ||
| 1978 | Matu Tappada Maga | ||
| 1978 | Vasanthalakshmi | ||
| 1979 | Karthika Deepam | ||
| 1979 | Idi Kathakadu | Telugu Telugu language Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu... |
|
| 1979 | Na Ninna Bidalare | ||
| 1979 | Pakka Kalla | ||
| 1979 | Savathiya Neralu | ||
| 1979 | Vijaya Vikram | ||
| 1980 | Bhumi Par Aaye Bhagwan | ||
| 1980 | Jathara | ||
| 1980 | Kulla Kulli | Kannada | |
| 1980 | Nanna Rosha Nooru Varusha | ||
| 1980 | Namma Mane Sose | ||
| 1980 | Nyaya Nithi Dharma | ||
| 1980 | Simha Jodi | ||
| 1980 | Subbi Subakka Suvvalali | ||
| 1980 | Vasantha Geethe | ||
| 1981 | Hana Balavo Jana Balavo | Kannada | |
| 1981 | Edeyuru Siddhalingeshwara | Kannada | |
| 1981 | Kulaputra | ||
| 1981 | Thayiya Madilalli | ||
| 1982 | Auto Raja | Kannada | Shankar Nag Shankar Nag Shankar Nagarkatte , 9 November 1954 - 30 September 1990) popularly known as Shankar Nag was a popular actor and director of Kannada cinema. He also directed and acted in the teleserial, Malgudi days, based on celebrated novelist R.K.Narayan's short stories. Besides these, he was actively involved... |
| 1982 | Maro Malupu | Telugu Telugu language Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu... |
|
| 1983 | Eradu Nakshatragalu | Kannada | |
| 1983 | Mududida Tavare Aralitu | ||
| 1983 | Sididedda Sahodara | ||
| 1983 | Samarpane | ||
| 1984 | Endina Ramayana | Kannada | |
| 1984 | Chanakya | Kannada | |
| 1984 | Olavu Moodidaga | ||
| 1984 | Shravana Banthu | ||
| 1985 | Ajeya | Kannada | |
| 1985 | Hosa Baalu | Kannada | |
| 1985 | Balondu Uyyale | Kannada | |
| 1985 | Nanu Nanna Hendthi | ||
| 1986 | Bettada Thayi | Kannada | |
| 1986 | Katha Nayaka | Kannada | |
| 1986 | KD No. 1 | ||
| 1986 | Mrigalaya | ||
| 1986 | Pudhir | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... Film |
|
| 1986 | Seelu Nakshatra | ||
| 1987 | Huli Hebbuli | Kannada | |
| 1987 | Olavina Udugore | ||
| 1987 | Premaloka | ||
| 1989 | Abhimana | Kannada | |
| 1989 | Doctor Krishna | Kannada | |
| 1989 | Yuga Purusha | Kannada | |
| 1989 | Gagana | Kannada | |
| 1990 | Golmaal Radhakrishna | Kannada | With Anant Nag Anant Nag Anant Nagarkatte popularly known as Anant Nag is an actor and politician from Karnataka, India. He is considered to be one of the all time greatest actors in the Kannada film industry with a vast number of commercially successful movies. As a result, he is popularly known as an actor with... |
| 1990 | Tiger Gangu | ||
| 1991 | Golmaal Radhakrishna II | Kannada | |
| 1999 | Habba | Kannada | |
| 2006 | Kannadada Kanda | Kannada | |
| 2007 | Shukra | ||
| 2009 | Yaaradhu | With son Vinod Raj Vinod Raj Vinod Raj is a Kannada film actor, who is widely recognized and illustrious for his dancing skills. He has acted along with various major co-stars like Arjun Sarja, Ramesh Arvind, Srinivas Murthy in his short film career and is choosy in selecting films, he also likes to experiment in his... |
|
| Unknown | Pamasiraja | Malayalam Film | First Malayalam Film |
| Unknown | Saviradoorthi Savitri | Tulu Tulu language The Tulu language |?]]]) is a Dravidian language spoken by 1.95 million native speakers mainly in the southwest part of Indian state Karnataka known as Tulu Nadu. In India, 1.72 million people speak it as their mother tongue , increased by 10 percent over the 1991 census... Film |
First Tulu Film |
- First Film in Kannada: Mangalya Yoga
- First Film in Tamil: Pattinathaar
- First Film in Telugu: Marmayogi
- First Film in Malayalam: Pamasiraja
- First Film in Tulu: Saviradoorthi Savitri
As Producer
| Year | Film |
|---|---|
| 1990 | College Hero |
| 2006 | Kannadada Kanda |
| 2007 | Shukra |
| 2009 | Yaaradhu |
Awards and recognitions
Rashtrapati Award- Maduve Maddi Nodu
- Santha Thukaram
Karnataka State Film Awards
- Thumbida Koda
- Mahatyaga
- Bhakta Kumbara
- Sipayi Ramu
- Gejje Pooje
Filmfare Awards South
- Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – KannadaFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – KannadaThe Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Kannada films.-External links:*...
for Kannadada Kanda in 2006
Health
She was hospitalised on 15th of Oct 2011, and had sustained heart problem. An operation was carried on, and she recovered from it. Her reports of hospitalization was concealed by his son Vinod RajVinod Raj
Vinod Raj is a Kannada film actor, who is widely recognized and illustrious for his dancing skills. He has acted along with various major co-stars like Arjun Sarja, Ramesh Arvind, Srinivas Murthy in his short film career and is choosy in selecting films, he also likes to experiment in his...
, but later it came into light by TV9 News report telecasted on 25th Oct.