Leela Naidu

Leela Naidu Biography

Leela Naidu was an Indian actress who worked in a few English and Hindi movies. She was Femina Miss India 1954, and was featured in the Vogue along with Maharani Gayatri Devi in the list of 'World's Ten Most Beautiful Women'. Quite surprisingly, she died in Mumbai on 28 July 2009 just one day before the death of Maharani Gayatri Devi. She has listed in many prominent fashion magazines of 1950’s and 1960’s editions among the top beautiful women of the world. She is remembered for her stunning classical beauty and subtle acting style.

Leela Naidu was born in Mumbai in 1940 to Dr. Pattipati Ramaiah Naidu, a well known nuclear physicist from Madanapalle. Her mother, Dr. Marthe Mange Naidu was a journalist and Indologist and of Swiss-French origin. Marthe had seven miscarriages and Leela was their single child. Her aunt was Indian independence fighter Sarojini Naidu. Leela Naidu was crowned Femina Miss India in 1954 and same year, she was featured in Vogue magazine's list of the world's ten most beautiful women.

Her debut film was Anuradha, opposite Balraj Sahni directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and the movie was released in 1960. Though the movie was a flop, it went to win National Film Award for Best Feature Film and was nominated for the Golden Bear at the 11th Berlin International Film Festival in 1961. Her second movie was Nitin Bose's Ummeed (1962), alongside Ashok Kumar and Joy Mukherjee, followed by Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke (1963). Same year she acted in Merchant Ivory film, The Householder. She was considered for the role of Rosie in Vijay Anand's Guide. But she lost the dream role as she was not a classical dancer. Her last film in Hindi mainstream cinema was Baghi (1964) and she took a break. But later she appeared in guest roles in movies like The Guru (1969). Electric moon released in 1992 was her last movie. She died in 2009 aged 69.

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Updated: January 25, 2014