Leelavathi (b. 1938)

Versatile Kannada actress born in Mangalore, Karnataka. Joined M.V. Subbaiah Naidu’s stage group aged 3. Was a well-known Kannada stage actress when she débuted in film as the comedienne in Bhakta Prahlada. Her first lead role was in Mangalya Yoga. Achieved stardom as Rani Honamma, her first film with Rajkumar, going on to do c.20 more films with him, dominating Kannada cinema for over a decade. Acted in melodramas for Kanagal (Gejje Pooje, Sharapanjara) and developed into a dramatically intense actress, often cast as a mother; also known for light comedy.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1958: Bhakta Prahlada; Mangalya Yoga; 1959: Dharma Vijaya; Raja Malaya Simhan; Jagajyothi Basaveshwara; Abba! A Hudgi; 1960: Ranadheera Kanteerava; Dashavtara; Rani Honamma; 1961: Kaivara Mahatme; Kantheredu Nodu; Kittur Chanamma; 1962: Bhoodana; Galigopura; Karuneye Kutumbada Kannu; Ratnamanjari; Vidhi Vilasa; Valar Pirai; Sumaithangi; 1963: Nanda Deepa; Kanya Ratna; Jeevana Taranga; Malli Madhuve; Kulavadhu; Kalitharu Henne; Bevu Bella; Veera Kesari/Bandhipotu?; Valmiki; Mana Mechhida Madadi; Sant Tukaram; 1964: Marmayogi; Shivarathri Mahatme; Tumbidakoda; 1965: Naga Pooja; Chandrahasa; Vatsalya; Veera Vikrama; Ide Mahasudina; Madhuve Madi Nodu; 1966: Thoogu Deepa; Prema Mayi; Paduka Pattabhishekham; Mohini Bhasmasura; 1967: Gange Gauri; 1968: Bhagya Devathe; Mammathe; Anna Thamma; Attegondukala Sosegondukala; 1969: Kalpa Vruksha; Brindavana; 1970: Gejje Pooje; Aparajite; Boregowda Bangaloruge Banda; Sukha Samsara; Aaru Mooru Ombattu; 1971: Sharapanjara; Signalman Siddappa; Sothu Geddavalu; Sipayi Ramu; 1972: Naa Mechida Huduga; Nagara Haavu; Dharmapatni; 1973: Sahadharmini; Muruvare Vajragalu; Premapasha; 1974: Upasane; Maha Thyaga; Bhakta Kumbhara; Professor Huchuraya; Maga Mommaga; Naan Avanillai; Aval Oru Thodarkathai/Aval? Oru Thodarkatha; Devara Gudi; Idu Namma Desha; 1975: Koodi Balona; Kalla Kulla; Bhagya Jyothi; Bili Hendthi; Hennu Samsarada Kannu; Katha Sangama; Hosilu Mettida Hennu; 1976: Makkala Bhagya; Bangarada Gudi; Collegeranga; Na Ninna Mareyalare; Phalithamsha; 1977: Deepa; Dhanalakshmi; Mugdha Manava; Kumkuma Rakshe; Veera Sindhoora Lakshmana; Avargal; 1978: Devadasi; Kiladi Kittu; Matu Tappada Maga; Kiladi Jodi; Gammathu Goodacharulu; Vasanthalakshmi; 1979: Karthika Deepam; Idi Kathakadu; Na Ninna Bidalare; Pakka Kalla; Vijaya Vikram; Savathiya Neralu; 1980: Nanna Rosha Nooru Varusha; Kulla Kulli; Auto Raja; Subbi Subakka Suvvalali; Namma Mane Sose; Simha Jodi; Vasantha Geethe; Nyaya Neethi Dharma; Jatara; Kappu Kola; Mr Rajanikant; 1981: Thayiya Madilalli; Kulaputra; Hana Balavo Jana Balavo; Edeyuru Siddhalingeshwara/ Siddalingeshwara Mahima; Leader Vishwanath; Bhoomige Banda Bhagavanta; Devara Aata; Galimathu; Garjane; Mane Mane Kathe; Mareyada Haadu; Muniyana Madari; Prema Pallavi; Shikari; Snehitara Saval; Bhagyavanthedi; 1982: Chellida Rakta; Gunanodi Hennu Kodu; Then Sittukkal; 1983: Sididedda Sahodara; Mududida Tavare Aralitu; Samarpane; 1984: Shravana Banthu; Endina Ramayana; Chanakya; Olavu Moodidaga; 1985: Balondu Uyyale; Ajeya; Nanu Nanna Hendthi; Pudhir; Hosa Baalu; Savira Sullu; Balondu Uyyale; Giri Bale; Jwalamukhi; Lakshmi Kataksha; Sneha Sambandha; 1986: Bettada Thayi; Katha Nayaka; KD No 1; Mrigalaya; Seelu Nakshatra; 1987: Premaloka; Olavina Udugore; Huli Hebbuli; 1988: Varna Chakra; 1989: Yuga Purusha; Gagana; Abhimana; Doctor Krishna; 1990: Golmaal Radhakrishna; Tiger Gangu; Golmaal Bhaga II; 1992: Nanjunda.

Actor