Actress Leela Chitnis: Sensitive and strong voice of the golden phase of Bollywood

Mumbai, September 8 (IANS). Great actress Leela Chitnis was part of the era of the Indian theater when the film became a new medium to change society. She was one of the most trained actresses of her time. In Bollywood’s “Golden Era”, he performed in many notable films and made a special place in the heart of the audience for his tranquil and powerful acting. His characters always had a look at human feelings and dignity. Made his identity by breaking the social predecessors of his time. As she played the role of India’s ideal mother on screen, she was in real life a revolutionary woman who took a great and brave step for her dreams. Leela Chitnis was born on September 9, 1909 and had a bachelor’s degree in art. She was married to a Zamindar and she was the mother of four children. At the time, the work of films for civilized and higher -class women was regarded as a derogatory profession. Society has often not seen women work with respect in films. Leela Chitnis, who doesn’t care about social norms, told her husband that she wanted to become an actress. The family strongly opposed its decision. They were explained that it would harm his family’s reputation and that it would not be right for the future of their children. When there was no way left, she decided to divorce her husband and raised the responsibility of four children alone. Leela Chitnis calls it in his autobiography ‘Chanderi Duniya’. In addition, he told how Raj Kapoor first celebrated her to play the mother. Leela Chitnis was known as a glamorous heroine before getting this character. He played leads in many films, but by the end of the 1940s, his career delayed a little. One day he received a film offer from Raj Kapoor. Leela Chitnis was very excited, because Raj Kapoor was one of the greatest and ambitious filmmakers of the time. When she went to her, she was offered for a character she never thought. Raj Kapoor asked him to play the mother of the starring role in the movie ‘Akash Mahal’. Leela Chitnis was shocked. She felt that she was still young and was not ready to play the role of a mother, especially if she still played the roles of the heroine. He rejected this offer. Raj Kapoor explained to him, “I want you to roll it, because you can bring the dignity I want in this character.” He assured Leela Chitnis that this character would give a new direction to his career. On the persuasion of Raj Kapoor, Leela Chitnis accepted this role. Although the film ‘Akash Mahal’ could not be made, but then he had a chance to play the role of the mother of the main hero in Raj Kapoor’s own film ‘Awara’ (1951). This role has become so successful that Leela Chitnis became famous overnight as ‘mother of Bollywood’. He then played an unforgettable character of Mother in many films, including films such as ‘Guide’ and ‘Shaheed’. -Ians JP/DSC