Dilip Kumar’s ‘mother’, got married at 15, entered Bollywood after divorce, became first…, Ashok Kumar was her…, name was…

During India’s fight for independence, women’s education was something that not many motivated. But one woman stood out and broke all stereotypes, by becoming India’s first educated actress. From 1930s to 1980s, she captivated audiences with her films that were based on social messages. Moreover, she also made history by becoming the first Indian star to endorse the famous ‘Lux’ brand.

She was none other than Leela Chitnis. Born into a Marathi-speaking Brahmin family, her father was an English professor. She attained a degree in Bachelor of Arts, becoming one of the first educated actresses in Indian cinema. After graduation, she joined a renowned Marathi theater group, and it became the start of her acting journey.

At the age of 15 or 16, she tied the knot with Dr. Gajanan Yeshwant Chitnis and had four children. But, their marriage didn’t last long. After divorcing her husband, she worked as a teacher before venturing into films.

In 1935, Leela made her Bollywood debut, but got noticed in 1937-release Gentleman Daku. Gradually, she carved a name in audiences hearts with her impeccable performances. Moreover, Leela’s on-screen pairing with Ashok Kumar, in films like Azad (1940), Bandhan (1940), and Jhoola (1941), was widely adored.

At the peak of her career, she became India’s first actress to endorse the popular soap brand- Lux. This achievement was another feather in her cap, apart from playing memorable roles. Later in her career, she started doing more motherly characters that touched many hearts. She also played Dilip Kumar’s mother in Shaheed.

After working in many successful films and becoming one of the prominent actresses, she decided to retire from acting and shifted to United States in late 1980s to spend more time with her children. At the age of 94, Leela Chitnis passed away in a nursing home in Danbury, Connecticut, and left behind her remarkable legacy.

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