| ಎಮ್.ಲೀಲಾವತಿ M.Leelavathi |
|
|---|---|
| Born | 1938 Mangalore, Karnataka, India |
| Occupation | Actress, Producer, Writer, Philanthropist[1] |
| Years active | 1958–present |
| Spouse | Rajanna |
| Children | Vinod Raj |
| Website | |
| www.drmleelavathi.com | |
Leelavathi (Kannada: ಎಮ್.ಲೀಲಾವತಿ)(Tulu: ಎಮ್.ಲೀಲಾವತಿ) (born 1938)[2] is a Kannada film actress who predominantly worked in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu.[2] 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.
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Born in Belthangady 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.[3]
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.[3]
| Year | Film | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Bhakta Prahlada | Kannada | With Rajkumar |
| 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, Kalyan Kumar |
| 1962 | Mana Mechhida Madadi | ||
| 1962 | Nanda-Deepa | ||
| 1962 | Pattinathaar | Tamil Film | First Tamil Film |
| 1962 | Rani Chanamma | ||
| 1962 | Ratnamanjari | ||
| 1962 | Sumaithangal | ||
| 1962 | Valar Pirai | Tamil Film | With Sivaji Ganesan |
| 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 | |
| 1963 | Valmiki | Telugu Film | With N. T. Rama Rao |
| 1963 | Veera Kesari | With Rajkumar | |
| 1964 | Marmayogi | Telugu | 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 | |
| 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 |
| 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 | |
| 1972 | Naa Mechida Huduga | Kannada | With Kalpana |
| 1973 | Muruvare Vajragalu | ||
| 1973 | Premapasha | ||
| 1973 | Sahadharmini | ||
| 1974 | Bhakta Kumbhara | Kannada | |
| 1974 | Devara Gudi | Kannada | |
| 1974 | Aval Oru Thodar Kathai | Tamil | With Kamal Hassan |
| 1974 | Idu Namma Desha | Kannada | |
| 1974 | Maga Mommaga | ||
| 1974 | Maha Thyaga | ||
| 1974 | Naan Avanillai | Tamil | With Gemini Ganesan |
| 1974 | Professor Huchuraya | ||
| 1974 | Upasane | With Aarathi | |
| 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 | 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 | |
| 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 |
| 1982 | Maro Malupu | Telugu | |
| 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 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 |
| 1990 | Tiger Gangu | ||
| 1991 | Golmaal Radhakrishna II | Kannada | |
| 1999 | Habba | Kannada | |
| 2006 | Kannadada Kanda | Kannada | |
| 2007 | Shukra | ||
| 2009 | Yaaradhu | With son Vinod Raj | |
| Unknown | Pamasiraja | Malayalam Film | First Malayalam Film |
| Unknown | Saviradoorthi Savitri | Tulu Film | First Tulu Film |
| Year | Film |
|---|---|
| 1990 | College Hero |
| 2006 | Kannadada Kanda |
| 2007 | Shukra |
| 2009 | Yaaradhu |
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 Raj, but later it came into light by TV9 News report telecasted on 25th Oct.[6]