Leela Chitnis was a pioneering actress in Indian cinema, known for her versatility and grace. She appeared in films like “Kangan (1939),” “Bandhan (1940),” “Azad (1940),” and “Jhoola (1941)” as a heroine and “Shaheed,” “Awaara,” “Naya Daur,” “Sadhna,” “Dhool Ka Phool,” “Kohinoor,” “Kala Bazar,” “Gunga Jumna,” “Guide,” and many more as a mother.
Early Life
Leela Chitnis was born on September 9, 1909, in Dharwad, Karnataka, into a Marathi-speaking family. Her father was an English literature professor and also a staunch Brahmo Samaji. She was one of the first educated women to enter the Indian film industry. At the age of 15, she married Dr. Gajanan Yeshwant Chitnis. The couple went on to have four kids, Manavendra, Vijaykumar, Ajitkumar, and Raj Chitnis, in quick succession. She was also active in the freedom struggle and was close with the famous freedom fighter, M.N. Roy, who even hid in her home to avoid arrest.
Entry Into films
After her separation from her husband, she started working as a teacher to support her kids, which was a very low-paying job. To increase her income, Leela also joined the progressive theatre group “Natyamanwantar.” She performed in Marathi plays influenced by Western playwrights like Ibsen and Shaw. Her transition to films was driven by the need to support her family, and she quickly made a mark with her talent.
Leela made her film debut in 1935 with Sumumar Chatterjee’s “Dhuwandhar,” opposit Nana Palsikar. In 1936 she starred in Master Vinayak’s bilungual “Chhaya” oppositer him. One of her other significant film was K. Narayan Kale’s Wahan (1937) followed by Homi Master’s Chhote Sarkar (1938). Her other early films include Shri Satyanarayan (1935), Insaaf (1937), Gentleman Daku (1937), Master Man (1938), and Raja Gopichand (1938).
In 1938, she starred in Minerva Movietone’s “Jailor” with Sohrab Modi. In 1939, Leela joined Bombay Talkies and starred in several successful films, often playing strong, independent characters. She became a household name with movies like “Kangan” (1939), “Bandhan” (1940), Azad (1940), and “Jhoola” (1941), where she co-starred with Ashok Kumar.
Leela Chitnis also made history by becoming the first Indian actress to endorse Lux soap in 1941, a significant milestone as it was previously reserved for Hollywood stars. Throughout the 1940s, she also appeared in many successful films, which include Ghar Ki Rani (1940), Ardhangi (1940), Kanchan (1941), Kisise Na Kehna (1942), Rekha (1943), Manorama (1944), Kiran (1944), Char Aankhen (1944), Shatranj (1946), Dev Kanya (1946), Bhakta Prahlad (1946), Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani (1947), and Andhon Ki Duniya (1947), among others.
Leela Chitnit – The Leading Lady
In 1938, she starred in Minerva Movietone’s “Jailor” with Sohrab Modi. In 1939, Leela joined Bombay Talkies and starred in several successful films, often playing strong, independent characters. Her first film at Bombay Talkies was Franz Osten’s “Kangan” (1939), opposite Ashok Kumar. The success of the film made her one of the top stars of Hindi cinema. Her pairing with Ashok Kumar, was also became legendary with “Bandhan” (1940), Azad (1940), and “Jhoola” (1941).
Leela Chitnis also made history by becoming the first Indian actress to endorse Lux soap in 1941, a significant milestone as it was previously reserved for Hollywood stars. Throughout the 1940s, she also appeared in many successful films, which include Ghar Ki Rani (1940), Ardhangi (1940), Kanchan (1941), Kisise Na Kehna (1942), Rekha (1943), Manorama (1944), Kiran (1944), Char Aankhen (1944), Shatranj (1946), Dev Kanya (1946), Bhakta Prahlad (1946), Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani (1947), and Andhon Ki Duniya (1947), among others.
Leela Chitnit – The Mother
In 1948, Leela played the mother of Dilip Kumar in “Shaheed (1948),” opposite Chandra Mohan. The widespread acclaim for the role helped her transition into mature roles. She went on to play the quintessential mother to all the top stars, including Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor, Sunil Dutt, Raj Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, and many more.
Some of his notable films include “Awaara (1951),” “Saiyan (1951),” “Sangdil (1952),” Maa (1952),” “Basant Bahar (1956),” “Naya Daur (1957),” “Sadhna (1958),” Phil Subha Hogi (1958),” “Dhool Ka Phool (1959),” “Kanoon (1960),” “Parakh (1960),” “Kohinoor (1960),” “Kala Bazar (1960),” “Ghunghat (1960),” Dharmputra (1961),” “Hum Dono (1961),” “Gunga Jumna (1961),” “Asli-Naqli (1962),” “Dil Hi To Hai (1963),” Suhagan (1964),” “Dosti (1964),” “Zindagi (1964),” “Guide (1965),” “Waqt (1965),” “Phool Aur Patthar (1966),” “Aurat (1967),” “Majhli Didi (1967),” “Prince (1969),” and “Intaquam (1969),” among others.
Later Years
In the 1970s onwards, she cut off her work significantly and appeared in only selective films. Some of her notabe films include Man Ki Aankhen (1970), Jeevan Mrityu (1970), Mehmaan (1973), Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein (1977), Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), Janta Hawaldar (1979), Bin Maa Ke Bachche (1980), and Dil Tujhko Diya (1987).
Leela Chitnis moved to the United States to stay with her son. She passed away on July 14, 2003, in Danbury, Connecticut, at the age of 93. Leela Chitnis left behind a legacy of groundbreaking work and inspiring performances.
