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{{short description|20th and 21st-century Indian actress}}
{{short description|20th and 21st-century Indian actress}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Leena Chandavarkar
| name = Leena Chandavarkar
| image = Leena Chandavarkar.jpg
| image = Leena Chandavarkar.jpg
| caption = Leena Chandavarkar at the 4th Bharat Ratan Dr. Ambedkar Awards in 2014
| caption =
| native_name =
| native_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1950|8|29|df=y}}<ref name="Tabassum Talkies">{{cite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FejQKnYFm8g |title=The hardships of Leena Chandavarkar|date=2019-02-04|website=YouTube|access-date=2019-09-08}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1950|08|29|df=y}}<ref name="Tabassum Talkies">{{cite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FejQKnYFm8g |title=The hardships of Leena Chandavarkar |date=4 February 2019 |via=YouTube |access-date=8 September 2019 |archive-date=1 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301075137/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FejQKnYFm8g |url-status=live}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Dharawad]], [[Karnataka]], [[India]]
| birth_place = [[Dharwad]], [[Mysore State]], India
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| occupation = [[Actress]]
| occupation = [[Actress]]
| spouse = {{married|Siddharth Bandodkar|1975|1976|reason=died}}<ref name="Lehren">{{cite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLODvBfdAuM |title=After being widowed at the age of 25, Leena Chandavarkar married a 25-year-older singer |date=2018-09-01 |website=YouTube |access-date=2019-09-08}}</ref> <br/>{{married|[[Kishore Kumar]]|1980|1987|reason=died}}
| spouse = {{married|Siddharth Bandodkar|1975|1976|reason=died}}<ref name="Lehren">{{cite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLODvBfdAuM |title=After being widowed at the age of 25, Leena Chandavarkar married a 25-year-older singer |date=1 September 2018 |via=YouTube |access-date=8 September 2019}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> <br/>{{married|[[Kishore Kumar]]|1980|1987|reason=died}}
| children = [[Sumeet Kumar]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/20040913-kishore-kumars-son-sumeet-kumar-to-sing-title-track-of-film-naach-789273-2004-09-13 |title=Kishore Kumar's son Sumeet Kumar to sing title track of film 'Naach' |date=13 September 2004 |website=India Today Dot In |language=en |access-date=4 April 2022}}</ref>
| children = Sumit Kumar
| imagesize =
| imagesize =
| othername =
| othername =
| nationality = [[Indian people|Indian]]
| yearsactive = 1968–1989
| yearsactive = 1968–1985
}}
}}

'''Leena Chandavarkar''' (born 29 August 1950) is a [[India]]n former actress who appeared in [[Bollywood]] movies as a leading actress and now appears in reality shows. She was one of the successful actresses of late 60s and early 70s alongside Mumtaz, Hema Malini, Rakhee, Rekha and later alongside Reena Roy, Moushumi Chatterjee and Jaya Bhaduri. She played leading heroine opposite almost all superstars during that era and was frequently paired opposite Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Vinod Khanna, Thespian Dilip Kumar, Sunil Dutt and Raaj Kumar.
'''Leena Chandavarkar''' (born 29 August 1950) is an Indian former actress who appeared in [[Bollywood]] movies as a leading actress and now appears in reality shows. She was an actress during the late 60s and early 70s. She played leading heroine opposite almost all superstars during that era and was frequently paired opposite [[Rajesh Khanna]], [[Dharmendra]], [[Jeetendra]], [[Sanjeev Kumar]], [[Vinod Khanna]], [[Dilip Kumar]], [[Sunil Dutt]] and [[Raaj Kumar]].


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
Leena Chandavarkar was born to a [[Konkani]] Marathi speaking Army officer Sreenath Chandavarkar at [[Dharwad]] in [[Karnataka]] in 1950. She was supposed to debut with the film Maseeha (1967) opposite Sunil Dutt costarring Raaj Kumar and Mumtaz too under the direction of Sunil Dutt himself. The film got shelved and she made her debut under the direction of Sunil Dutt with the movie Man ka Meet in 1968. The movie was a hit and she became an overnight star. She was one of the topmost heroines in early 70s alongside Hema Malini and Mumtaz. She turned down roles like Kal Aaj aur Kal (1970) opposite Randhir Kapoor, Khilona (1970) opposite Sanjeev Kumar, Sharmilee (1971) opposite Shashi Kapoor, Kati Patang (1971) opposite Rajesh Khanna, Hanste Zakham (1973) opposite Navin Nischol, Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973) and Resham Ki Dori
Leena Chandavarkar was born to an army officer Sreenath Chandavarkar at [[Dharwad]] in [[Karnataka]] in 1950.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} She was supposed to debut with the film Maseeha (1967) opposite [[Sunil Dutt]] costarring [[Raaj Kumar]] and Mumtaz too under the direction of Sunil Dutt himself. The film got shelved and she made her debut under the direction of Sunil Dutt with the movie Man ka Meet in 1968.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leena Chandavarkar gets candid about life, love and marriage |url=https://www.filmfare.com/filmfare-flashback/leena-chandavarkar-gets-candid-about-life-love-and-marriage-27959.html |access-date=16 February 2021 |website=filmfare.com |language=en}}</ref> The movie was a hit and she became an overnight star. She was one of the topmost heroines in early 70s alongside [[Hema Malini]] and [[Mumtaz (Indian actress)|Mumtaz]]. She had an elder brother Anil Chandavarkar who married director [[Atma Ram (director)|Atma Ram]]'s daughter and has a daughter from the marriage. He died by suicide in 1985. She quit Bollywood after marriage with singing legend [[Kishore Kumar]] only to return for two movies later.<ref name="deccanchronicle">{{cite web |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com:80/tabloid/sunday-chronicle/heartitude/‘can’t-change-one’s-destiny’-219 |title=Can't change one's destiny |date=11 August 2011 |newspaper=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |access-date=24 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815144833/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/sunday-chronicle/heartitude/%E2%80%98can%E2%80%99t-change-one%E2%80%99s-destiny%E2%80%99-219 |archive-date=15 August 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
(1974) opposite Dharmendra, Khaan Dost(1976) opposite Shatrughan Sinha and Ganga Ki Saugandh (1978) opposite Amitabh Bachchan. The films she turned down went to Asha Parekh, Mumtaz, Babita, Rakhee and Rekha. A film with Dev Anand never saw the light of the day. She had an elder brother Anil Chandavarkar who married director Atmaram's daughter and has a daughter from the marriage. He committed suicide in 1985. She quit Bollywood after marriage with singing legend Kishore Kumar only to return for two movies later. <ref name="deccanchronicle">{{cite web |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com:80/tabloid/sunday-chronicle/heartitude/‘can’t-change-one’s-destiny’-219 |title=Can't change one's destiny |date=2011-08-11 |newspaper=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |access-date=2018-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815144833/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/sunday-chronicle/heartitude/%E2%80%98can%E2%80%99t-change-one%E2%80%99s-destiny%E2%80%99-219 |archive-date=15 August 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>


=== Career ===
== Career ==
Leena Chandavarkar came into the limelight after finishing as one of the runners-up for the ''Fresh Face'' Competition organized across the country by [[Filmfare]]. Initially, she worked in advertisements but eventually ventured into films. She made her debut in ''Man Ka Meet'' for [[Sunil Dutt]], and it was his wife [[Nargis]] who groomed her to be an actress. Between 1969 and 1979, Leena acted in many films. She was cast opposite many of popular heroes of that era. She gave one of her best performances in ''[[Mehboob Ki Mehndi]]'' with [[Rajesh Khanna]] in 1971.
Chandavarkar came into the limelight after finishing as one of the runners-up for the ''Fresh Face'' Competition organized across the country by [[Filmfare]]. Initially, she worked in advertisements but eventually ventured into films. She made her debut in ''Man Ka Meet'' for [[Sunil Dutt]], and it was his wife [[Nargis]] who groomed her to be an actress. Between 1969 and 1979, Leena acted in many films. She was cast opposite many of popular heroes of that era. She gave one of her best performances in ''[[Mehboob Ki Mehndi]]'' with [[Rajesh Khanna]] in 1971.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Malhotra |first=Aps |date=4 June 2015 |title=Mehboob Ki Mehndi (1971) |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/mehboob-ki-mehndi-1971/article7282427.ece |access-date=16 February 2021 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>


''[[Bairaag]]'' is another example where she acted with the great screen legend [[Dilip Kumar]] and a mighty star cast of [[Saira Banu|Saira Bano]], [[Prem Chopra]] and [[Helen (actress)|Helen]].
''[[Bairaag]]'', in 1976, is another example where she acted with [[Dilip Kumar]] and an [[Ensemble cast|ensemble star cast]] of [[Saira Banu|Saira Bano]], [[Prem Chopra]] and [[Helen (actress)|Helen]].


She appeared as a guest judge for the first 2 episodes of "K for Kishore", a new reality TV singing show launched by Sony TV during December 2007. She is now appearing for the reality shows. She also penned some songs for [[Amit Kumar (singer)|Amit Kumar]] and ''Rajesh Bambal'' for a music album.
She appeared as a guest judge for the first 2 episodes of "K for Kishore", a new reality TV singing show launched by Sony TV during December 2007. She is now appearing for the reality shows. She also penned some songs for [[Amit Kumar (singer)|Amit Kumar]] and ''Rajesh Bambal'' for a music album.


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
She had an arranged marriage to her first husband, Siddharth Bandodkar, who came from a prominent Goan political family. He died from an accidental gunshot wound, a few days into the marriage, leaving Leena a widow at age 25.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.targetgoa.com/PRAJAL-SAKHARDANDE/-nbsp-Siddharth-Bandodkar-passed-away-too-soon/1633 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2015-04-22 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20150422203102/http://www.targetgoa.com/PRAJAL-SAKHARDANDE/-nbsp-Siddharth-Bandodkar-passed-away-too-soon/1633 |archivedate=22 April 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> A few years later, she married singing legend [[Kishore Kumar]]. Her father initially objected because Kumar had been married three times already, and was more than 20 years older than her, but he soon came around and welcomed Kumar into the family. She has a son with Kishore Kumar named Sumit Ganguly. Kishore died in 1987, leaving Leena once again a widow at age 37. She lives with her son Sumit, her step-son Amit, and his wife.
She had an arranged marriage to her first husband, Siddharth Bandodkar, who came from a prominent [[Goan]] [[Marathi people|Marathi]] political family. [[Shashikala Kakodkar]], the elder sister of Siddharth, was then the Chief Minister of [[Goa, Daman and Diu]]. Siddharth was the son of late [[Dayanand Bandodkar]], the first Chief Minister of [[Goa, Daman and Diu]]. Siddharth died from an accidental gunshot wound, a few days into the marriage, leaving Leena a widow at age 25.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.targetgoa.com/PRAJAL-SAKHARDANDE/-nbsp-Siddharth-Bandodkar-passed-away-too-soon/1633 |title=Target Goa: Siddharth Bandodkar passed away too soon |access-date=22 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150422203102/http://www.targetgoa.com/PRAJAL-SAKHARDANDE/-nbsp-Siddharth-Bandodkar-passed-away-too-soon/1633 |archive-date=22 April 2015 }}</ref> A few years later, she married singing legend [[Kishore Kumar]]. Her father initially objected because Kumar had been married three times already, and was more than 20 years older than her, but he soon came around and welcomed Kumar into the family.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kishoreda came home & sang till my parents agreed to our marriage: Leena Chandavarkar - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/music/kishoreda-came-home-sang-till-my-parents-agreed-to-our-marriage-leena-chandavarkar/articleshow/70535882.cms |access-date=16 February 2021 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> She has a son with Kishore Kumar named [[Sumeet Kumar]]. Kishore died in 1987, leaving Leena once again a widow at age 37. She lives with her son Sumeet,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/20040913-kishore-kumars-son-sumeet-kumar-to-sing-title-track-of-film-naach-789273-2004-09-13 |title=Kishore Kumar's son Sumeet Kumar to sing title track of film 'Naach' |date=13 September 2004 |website=India Today Dot In |language=en |access-date=4 April 2022}}</ref> her step-son [[Amit Kumar]], and his wife.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}


== Filmography ==
== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 90%;"
{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%;"
⚫
|-
|- bgcolor="#B0C4DE" align="center"
!Year !!Movies !!Role !!Co-Star !!Notes
!Year !!Movies !!Role !!Co-Star !!Notes


|-
|-
|[[List of Bollywood films of 1989|1989]]
|[[List of Bollywood films of 1989|1989]]
|''[[Mamta Ki Chhao Mein (1989 film)|Mamta Ki Chhao Mein]]''
|''[[Mamta Ki Chhaon Mein]]''
|Leena Rai
|Leena Rai
|Rajesh Khanna
|[[Rajesh Khanna]]
|Last film
⚫
|
|-
|-
|[[List of Bollywood films of 1985|1985]]
|[[List of Bollywood films of 1985|1985]]
|''[[Sarfarosh (1985 film)|Sarfarosh]]''
|''[[Sarfarosh (1985 film)|Sarfarosh]]''
|Sita
|Sita
|Jeetendra
|[[Jeetendra]]
|Supporting role
|
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[List of Bollywood films of 1980|1980]]
|rowspan="2"|[[List of Bollywood films of 1980|1980]]
|''Zalim''
|''Zalim''
|Kiran
|Kiran
|Vinod Khanna
|[[Vinod Khanna]]
|
|
|-
|-
|''Pyar Ajnabi Hai''
|''Pyar Ajnabi Hai''
|Unreleased
|Unreleased
|Kishore Kumar
|[[Kishore Kumar]]
|
|
|-
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[List of Bollywood films of 1978|1978]]
|rowspan="2"|[[List of Bollywood films of 1978|1978]]
|''Daaku aur Jawan''
|''Daaku Aur Jawan''
|Seeta
|Seeta
|Vinod Khanna
|[[Vinod Khanna]]
|Semihit
|Semihit
|-
|-
|''[[Nalayak]]''
|''[[Nalayak]]''
|Seema
|Seema
|Jeetendra
|[[Jeetendra]]
|
|
|-
|-
Line 78: Line 77:
|''[[Aafat]]''
|''[[Aafat]]''
|Inspector Chhaya
|Inspector Chhaya
|Navin Nischol
|[[Navin Nischol]]
|
|
|-
|-
|''[[Aakhri Goli]]''
|''[[Aakhri Goli]]''
|Suman
|Suman
|Sunil Dutt
|[[Sunil Dutt]]
|
|
|-
|-
|''[[Naami Chor]]''
|''[[Naami Chor]]''
|Dr.Leena
|Dr.Leena
|Biswajit
|[[Biswajit Chatterjee]]
|
|
|-
|-
|''[[Yaaron Ka Yaar]]''
|''[[Yaaron Ka Yaar]]''
|Bindiya
|Bindiya
|Shatrughan Sinha
|[[Shatrughan Sinha]]
|
|
|-
|-
Line 99: Line 98:
|''[[Bairaag]]''
|''[[Bairaag]]''
|Soniya
|Soniya
|Dilip Kumar
|[[Dilip Kumar]]
|
|
|-
|-
Line 105: Line 104:
|''[[Qaid (film)|Qaid]]''
|''[[Qaid (film)|Qaid]]''
|Preet
|Preet
|Vinod Khanna
|[[Vinod Khanna]]
|Hit
|Hit
|-
|-
|''[[Jaggu]]''
|''[[Jaggu]]''
|Geeta
|Geeta
|Shatrughan Sinha
|[[Shatrughan Sinha]]
|
|
|-
|-
|''[[Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka]]''
|''[[Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka]]''
|Sonia
|Sonia
|Dharmendra
|[[Dharmendra]]
|
|
|-
|-
|''[[Apne Rang Hazaar]]''
|''[[Apne Rang Hazaar]]''
|Malti
|Malti
|Sanjeev Kumar
|[[Sanjeev Kumar]]
|
|
|-
|-
Line 126: Line 125:
|''[[Bidaai (1974 film)|Bidaai]]''
|''[[Bidaai (1974 film)|Bidaai]]''
|Padma D. Das
|Padma D. Das
|Jeetendra
|[[Jeetendra]]
|Superhit
|Superhit
|-
|-
|''[[Chor Chor]]''
|''[[Chor Chor]]''
|Hema
|Hema
|Vijay Anand
|[[Vijay Anand (filmmaker)|Vijay Anand]]
|
|
|-
|-
|''[[Manchali]]''
|''[[Manchali]]''
|Leena
|Leena
|Sanjeev Kumar
|[[Sanjeev Kumar]]
|Semihit
|Semihit
|-
|-
|''Imaan''
|''[[Imaan (film)|Imaan]]''
|Imli
|Imli
|Sanjeev Kumar
|[[Sanjeev Kumar]]
|
|
|-
|-
Line 147: Line 146:
|''[[Anhonee (1973 film)|Anhonee]]''
|''[[Anhonee (1973 film)|Anhonee]]''
|Dr. Rekha
|Dr. Rekha
|Sanjeev Kumar
|[[Sanjeev Kumar]]
|Semihit
|Semihit
|-
|-
|''[[Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara]]''
|''[[Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara]]''
|Neela
|Neela
|Rakesh Roshan
|[[Rakesh Roshan]]
|
|
|-
|-
|''[[Honeymoon (1973 film)|Honeymoon]]''
|''[[Honeymoon (1973 film)|Honeymoon]]''
|Madhu Bhargav
|Madhu Bhargav
|Anil Dhawan
|[[Anil Dhawan]]
|
|
|-
|-
Line 163: Line 162:
|''[[Dil Ka Raja]]''
|''[[Dil Ka Raja]]''
|Geeta
|Geeta
|Raaj Kumar
|[[Raaj Kumar]]
|
|
|-
|-
Line 169: Line 168:
|''[[Rakhwala (1971 film)|Rakhwala]]''
|''[[Rakhwala (1971 film)|Rakhwala]]''
|Chandni
|Chandni
|Dharmendra
|[[Dharmendra]]
|
|
|-
|-
|''[[Chingari (1971 film)|Chingari]]''
|[[Chingari (1971 film)]]
|Reshma
|Reshma
|Sanjay Khan
|[[Sanjay Khan]]
|
|
|-
|-
|''[[Preetam]]''
|''[[Preetam]]''
|Sharan B. Sinha/Bindya
|Sharan B. Sinha/Bindya
|Shammi Kapoor
|[[Shammi Kapoor]]
|
|
|-
|-
|''Jaane-Anjaane''
|''[[Jaane-Anjaane]]''
|Mala
|Mala
|Shammi Kapoor
|[[Shammi Kapoor]]
|
|
|-
|-
|''[[Main Sunder Hoon]]''
|''[[Main Sunder Hoon]]''
|Radha
|Radha
|Biswajit
|[[Biswajit Chatterjee]]
|Semihit
|Semihit
|-
|-
|''[[Mehboob Ki Mehndi]]''
|''[[Mehboob Ki Mehndi]]''
|Shabana
|Shabana
|Rajesh Khanna
|[[Rajesh Khanna]]
|
|
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[List of Bollywood films of 1970|1970]]
|rowspan="3"|1970
|''[[Humjoli]]''
|''[[Humjoli]]''
|Ranibala Rai
|Ranibala Rai
|Jeetendra
|[[Jeetendra]]
|Superhit
|Superhit
|-
|-
|''[[Jawab (1970 film)|Jawab]]''
|''[[Jawab (1970 film)|Jawab]]''
|Chanchal
|Chanchal
|Jeetendra
|[[Jeetendra]]
|
|
|-
|-
|''[[Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi]]''
|''[[Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi]]''
|Sadhana Deepak Chaud
|Sadhana Deepak Chaud
|Sanjay Khan
|[[Sanjay Khan]]
|
|
|-
|-
Line 227: Line 226:
* [http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/jul/24dinesh.htm Leena Chandavarkar: The innocent shrew]
* [http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/jul/24dinesh.htm Leena Chandavarkar: The innocent shrew]
* [http://www.dharwad.com/nimmaputa/leenachandavarker.htm Leena Chandavarkar and Her Movies]
* [http://www.dharwad.com/nimmaputa/leenachandavarker.htm Leena Chandavarkar and Her Movies]
<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/leena-chandavarkar-ram-jethmalani-asked-my-permission-before-kissing-me/16016193 |title = Leena Chandavarkar: Ram Jethmalani asked my permission before kissing me|date = 25 February 2015}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/leena-chandavarkar-ram-jethmalani-asked-my-permission-before-kissing-me/16016193 |title=Leena Chandavarkar: Ram Jethmalani asked my permission before kissing me |date=25 February 2015 |access-date=5 April 2017 |archive-date=5 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405171327/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/leena-chandavarkar-ram-jethmalani-asked-my-permission-before-kissing-me/16016193 |url-status=live}}</ref>


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Konkani people]]
[[Category:Konkani people]]
[[Category:People from Dharwad]]
[[Category:People from Dharwad]]
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:Kishore Kumar]]


{{India-actor-stub}}

Latest revision as of 18:14, 12 December 2024

Leena Chandavarkar
Born (1950-08-29) 29 August 1950 (age 74)[1]
Dharwad, Mysore State, India
OccupationActress
Years active1968–1989
Spouse(s)
Siddharth Bandodkar
​
​
(m. 1975; died 1976)​
[2]
​
​
(m. 1980; died 1987)​
ChildrenSumeet Kumar[3]

Leena Chandavarkar (born 29 August 1950) is an Indian former actress who appeared in Bollywood movies as a leading actress and now appears in reality shows. She was an actress during the late 60s and early 70s. She played leading heroine opposite almost all superstars during that era and was frequently paired opposite Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Vinod Khanna, Dilip Kumar, Sunil Dutt and Raaj Kumar.

Biography

[edit]

Leena Chandavarkar was born to an army officer Sreenath Chandavarkar at Dharwad in Karnataka in 1950.[citation needed] She was supposed to debut with the film Maseeha (1967) opposite Sunil Dutt costarring Raaj Kumar and Mumtaz too under the direction of Sunil Dutt himself. The film got shelved and she made her debut under the direction of Sunil Dutt with the movie Man ka Meet in 1968.[4] The movie was a hit and she became an overnight star. She was one of the topmost heroines in early 70s alongside Hema Malini and Mumtaz. She had an elder brother Anil Chandavarkar who married director Atma Ram's daughter and has a daughter from the marriage. He died by suicide in 1985. She quit Bollywood after marriage with singing legend Kishore Kumar only to return for two movies later.[5]

Career

[edit]

Chandavarkar came into the limelight after finishing as one of the runners-up for the Fresh Face Competition organized across the country by Filmfare. Initially, she worked in advertisements but eventually ventured into films. She made her debut in Man Ka Meet for Sunil Dutt, and it was his wife Nargis who groomed her to be an actress. Between 1969 and 1979, Leena acted in many films. She was cast opposite many of popular heroes of that era. She gave one of her best performances in Mehboob Ki Mehndi with Rajesh Khanna in 1971.[6]

Bairaag, in 1976, is another example where she acted with Dilip Kumar and an ensemble star cast of Saira Bano, Prem Chopra and Helen.

She appeared as a guest judge for the first 2 episodes of "K for Kishore", a new reality TV singing show launched by Sony TV during December 2007. She is now appearing for the reality shows. She also penned some songs for Amit Kumar and Rajesh Bambal for a music album.

Personal life

[edit]

She had an arranged marriage to her first husband, Siddharth Bandodkar, who came from a prominent Goan Marathi political family. Shashikala Kakodkar, the elder sister of Siddharth, was then the Chief Minister of Goa, Daman and Diu. Siddharth was the son of late Dayanand Bandodkar, the first Chief Minister of Goa, Daman and Diu. Siddharth died from an accidental gunshot wound, a few days into the marriage, leaving Leena a widow at age 25.[7] A few years later, she married singing legend Kishore Kumar. Her father initially objected because Kumar had been married three times already, and was more than 20 years older than her, but he soon came around and welcomed Kumar into the family.[8] She has a son with Kishore Kumar named Sumeet Kumar. Kishore died in 1987, leaving Leena once again a widow at age 37. She lives with her son Sumeet,[9] her step-son Amit Kumar, and his wife.[citation needed]

Filmography

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Year Movies Role Co-Star Notes
1989 Mamta Ki Chhaon Mein Leena Rai Rajesh Khanna Last film
1985 Sarfarosh Sita Jeetendra Supporting role
1980 Zalim Kiran Vinod Khanna
Pyar Ajnabi Hai Unreleased Kishore Kumar
1978 Daaku Aur Jawan Seeta Vinod Khanna Semihit
Nalayak Seema Jeetendra
1977 Aafat Inspector Chhaya Navin Nischol
Aakhri Goli Suman Sunil Dutt
Naami Chor Dr.Leena Biswajit Chatterjee
Yaaron Ka Yaar Bindiya Shatrughan Sinha
1976 Bairaag Soniya Dilip Kumar
1975 Qaid Preet Vinod Khanna Hit
Jaggu Geeta Shatrughan Sinha
Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka Sonia Dharmendra
Apne Rang Hazaar Malti Sanjeev Kumar
1974 Bidaai Padma D. Das Jeetendra Superhit
Chor Chor Hema Vijay Anand
Manchali Leena Sanjeev Kumar Semihit
Imaan Imli Sanjeev Kumar
1973 Anhonee Dr. Rekha Sanjeev Kumar Semihit
Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara Neela Rakesh Roshan
Honeymoon Madhu Bhargav Anil Dhawan
1972 Dil Ka Raja Geeta Raaj Kumar
1971 Rakhwala Chandni Dharmendra
Chingari (1971 film) Reshma Sanjay Khan
Preetam Sharan B. Sinha/Bindya Shammi Kapoor
Jaane-Anjaane Mala Shammi Kapoor
Main Sunder Hoon Radha Biswajit Chatterjee Semihit
Mehboob Ki Mehndi Shabana Rajesh Khanna
1970 Humjoli Ranibala Rai Jeetendra Superhit
Jawab Chanchal Jeetendra
Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Sadhana Deepak Chaud Sanjay Khan
1968 Man Ka Meet Aarti Som Dutt Semihit

References

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  1. ^ "The hardships of Leena Chandavarkar". 4 February 2019. Archived from the original on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 8 September 2019 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ "After being widowed at the age of 25, Leena Chandavarkar married a 25-year-older singer". 1 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2019 – via YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  3. ^ "Kishore Kumar's son Sumeet Kumar to sing title track of film 'Naach'". India Today Dot In. 13 September 2004. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Leena Chandavarkar gets candid about life, love and marriage". filmfare.com. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  5. ^ "Can't change one's destiny". Deccan Chronicle. 11 August 2011. Archived from the original on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  6. ^ Malhotra, Aps (4 June 2015). "Mehboob Ki Mehndi (1971)". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  7. ^ "Target Goa: Siddharth Bandodkar passed away too soon". Archived from the original on 22 April 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  8. ^ "Kishoreda came home & sang till my parents agreed to our marriage: Leena Chandavarkar - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  9. ^ "Kishore Kumar's son Sumeet Kumar to sing title track of film 'Naach'". India Today Dot In. 13 September 2004. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
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[1]

  1. ^ "Leena Chandavarkar: Ram Jethmalani asked my permission before kissing me". 25 February 2015. Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
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