Leela Chitnis

Leela Chitnis was born on 9 September 1909. This bollywood actress at her early stage worked in comedy film Usna Navra that was released in 1934. Leela Chitnis was also publicized in the TOI as the first graduate society-lady from Maharashtra.


Leela Chitnis worked at Prabhat Pictures in Pune before going on to be the main heroine in Bombay Talkies. Bollywood actor Ashok Kumar was so impressed by Leela Chitni's acting skills. The mid 40's followed downfall in her career.

For 22 years, the actress played the mother of the later leading actors, one of them being Dilip Kumar. However, Leela Chitnis continued doing movies and after some time she emigrated to the US in the late 80's and stayed with her children.

In the year 1941 Leela Chitnis reached the height of fame and she was the first Indian film actress to endorse the popular Lux soap brand. The bollywood film industry lost one of the most talented actress on 14th July 2003.