Leela Gandhi (1 June 1938) is an Indian actress and choreographer who worked in Marathi cinema. She was the recipient of various accolades, receiving two Maharashtra State Film Awards, and a Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar. In 2011, Gandhi was honoured with the V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award, Maharashtra's highest award in the field of cinema.
Early life and career Gandhi began training in Kathak dance under Govind Nikam when she was eight years old. In 1951, director Dinkar D. Patil made the Hindi film Gharbar, based on his successful Marathi film Ram Ram Pahune. Gandhi assisted in choreographing a dance sequence featuring Gop and Paro.
On one occasion, Gandhi accompanied her guru, Govind Nikam, to the residence of actor-director Bhagwan Dada. There, she met dance instructor Robert, who was a close associate of Nikam. After learning about her dancing abilities, Bhagwan Dada offered her opportunities to perform in his films, including Rangila (1953), Hallagulla (1954), and Bhala Aadmi (1958). Robert later invited Gandhi to perform a dance in Baghdad Ki Raaten. The sequence was set before the villain, played by Shyam, while the hero, played by Mahipal, was tied up nearby. Although Gandhi completed the dance successfully, the film was never released. She subsequently performed alongside Helen in Bus Conductor, in a sequence that combined Helen's bhangra with Gandhi's lavani.
Director Raja Thakur saw one of Gandhi's dance performances and invited her to participate in the programme Reshmachya Gathi. Vasant Pawar and Mohammed were initially expected to choreograph the performance. However, after observing Gandhi's abilities, Pawar suggested that she choreograph her own dance. Gandhi performed to the song “Ishkachya Rangat Vij Bhare Angat”, marking her debut in Marathi cinema.
Gandhi's dance performance with Hindi actor Agha in Preetisangam (1957) became popular. Beginning with Sangtye Aika (1959), she worked as a choreographer for several films. She also appeared as a supporting actress in Kela Ishara Jata Jata (1965). Alongside her film career, she worked in theatre and performed in approximately 75 films and 25 plays. Her theatrical work included a performance in the Sanskrit play Mahakavi Kalidas. Her performances in Katha Aklecha Kandyachi attracted the attention of composer Vasant Desai. Desai recommended her to director Hrishikesh Mukherjee, who subsequently invited her to perform in the “Sawal Jawab” sequence in the Hindi film Aashirwad. Gandhi's dance in the film received attention.
After retiring from acting and dancing in films and theatre, Gandhi served as a director of Cosmos Bank and as president of the Akhil Bharatiya Natya Parishad. She also served as a member of the government's Rangbhoomi Prayog Parinirikshan Mandal, a body responsible for examining theatrical performances.
Filmography YearTitleRoleNotes1951GharbarHerselfAs choreographer1953Rangila1954Hallagulla1957Preetisangam1958Bhala Aadmi1959Bus ConductorSangtye AikaSata Janmachi Sobati1963VaybhavLeelabaiDebut as actress1965Kela Ishara Jata JataSonabai1967Sant Gora KumbharPahila BhauDeva Tujhi Soniyachi Jejuri1968AashirwadHerselfIn a song "Saaf Karo, Insaf Karo"1969Manacha MujraBhingri1971Lakhat Ashi DekhniVithabai Dalgaonkar1973Bholi Bhabdi1974KartikiMaharashtra State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress1975Pandoba Porgi Phasali1976PudhariHausabai Akka1978SarvasakshiSushilaHerselfIn the song “Kunya Gavacha Aala Pakharu"IrshaChandaal Chowkadi1979Lage Bandhe1980FatakadiSahkar SamratPaijMaharashtra State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress1981Satichi PunyayeeManacha KunkuManjula DeshmukhAaiSalubai1982Bhamta1986Dhakti Sun1987Bhatak Bhavani1988Bandiwan Mi Ya Sansari1992Shubh Mangal Savdhan
Accolades 1974 – Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Kartiki 1980 – Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Paij 2011 – V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award from Government of Maharashtra 2014 – Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award 2016 – Zee Chitra Gaurav Lifetime Achievement Award from Zee Marathi 2024 – PIFF Distinguished Award 2025 – Bal Gandharva Award
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