Leela Naidu

Leela Naidu was a famous Indian actress who acted in few Hindi and English films, including Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke (1963), based on the famous real-life Nanavati case, and The Householder, Merchant Ivory Productions' first film. She became Femina Miss India in 1954 and was featured in the Vogue magazine along with Maharani Gayatri Devi in the list of 'World's Ten Most Beautiful Women' and is remembered for her classical beauty and unique acting style.

Her father was Dr. Pattipati Ramiah Naidu from Andhra Pradesh.He was Scientific Advisor to UNESCO for Southeast Asia. Her mother was Dr. Marthe Naidu. She was of Swiss-French origin. Leela Naidu when 17 got married with Tilak Raj Oberoi, son of Mohan Singh Oberoi, the founder of the luxury Oberoi Hotels chain. Her husband was 33 years old at the time.

Soon they had twin daughters, Maya and Priya. The couple soon went through divorce. Her husband won custody of the girls. On the other hand Leela met philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti while in London, and was deeply attracted to his teachings. She got married again with poet Dom Moraes.

Leela Naidu died in Mumbai on 28 July 2009 due to lung failure. The actress had made her film debut in Anuradha (1960), directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Though this movie was not very successful at the box office but it won Leela a great appreciation. Her next movie was Ummeed (1962), alongside Ashok Kumar and Joy Mukherjee. Her other movies include Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke (1963), directed by R. K. Nayyar. It’s song "Ye Khaamoshiyaan, Ye Tanahaaiyaan," became quite popular. n 1963 Leela also acted in the movie The Householder, directed by James Ivory. Her last film was Baghi (1964). She will always be remembered as a great actress.

Instinctual Beauty-Saira Banu

Saira Banu was born on August 23, 1944 in India to actress Naseem Banu of 30s-40s, and the granddaughter of a courtesan Chamiyan Bai, also known as Shamshad Begum. Saira had spent a significant part of her childhood in London, and went to finish school.

Saira Banu's niece Shaheen Banu was also an actress who was married to former actor Sumeet Saigal and since divorced and remarried to Atul Patel and IFA in London. Always a fashion plate, Saira was forever encased in the pearl strings, chokers, mink stoles and mathapatti saris designed by mother Naseem.

Saira Banu also known as Saira Bano made her acting debut opposite Shammi Kapoor in the 1961 hit film Junglee for which she earned her first Filmfare nomination as Best Actress. It also instantly made Saira a successful actress throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. After having a long time affair with Rajendra Kumar, she got married to Dilip Kumar in 1966.

She wore a swimsuit in April Fool, followed by a number of movies including Resham Ki Dori, Victoria no. 203, International Crook, Saazish, Pocketmaar, Purab Aur Pacchim. Saira's chemistry with Dharmendra was awesome in Saazish.

Victoria No. 203 was the best among the lot where Saira put on a lovely show with all time famous Ranjeet.

Saira's valiant attempts to establish a reputation as an actress after Gopi, Sagina and Bairaag and films like Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Chaitali met with limited success.

Saira Banu did earn 3 additional Filmfare nominations as Best Actress for Shagird (1967), Diwana (1968), and Sagina (1974). In 1976, Saira chose to end her film career. In 1984 Saira appeared in a cameo opposite her husband in the film Duniya and made her last film appearance in the 1988 film Faisla.

The grand dame of Hindi cinema-Lalita Pawar

Lalita Pawar was born on April 18, 1916. Lalita was a prolific Indian actor, who later became famous as character actress, appearing in over 700 films in Hindi and Marathi cinema, where she gave hits like, Netaji Palkar (1938), made by Bhalji Pendharkar, New Hana Pictures’ Sant Damaji, Navyug Chitrapat’s Amrit, written by VS Khandekar, and Chhaya Films’ Gora Kumbhar. Lalita Pawar's other memorable roles were in film, Anari (1959), Shri 420 and Mr and Mrs 55, and the role of Manthara, in Ramanand Sagar's television epic serial, Ramayan.

Lalita Pawar's first marriage was to G.P. Pawar, a stunt film director, who directed most of her later silent, and initial sound films. Lalita co-produced and acted in a silent film, Kailash (1932), and later produced another film, Duniya Kya Hai in 1938, a talkie.

In 1942, Lalita was slapped by actor Bhagwan Dada, during the shooting of a film, which resulted in facial paralysis and a burst left eye vein. Three years of treatment later, Lalita Pawar was left with a defective left eye; thus she had to abandon lead roles, and switch to character roles, which won her much of her fame later in life.

Llita was known particularly for playing maternal figures, especially wicked matriarchs or mothers-in-law. She also notably played the role of the strict but kind Mrs. L. D'Sa in Anari (1959) with Raj Kapoor, acting under Hrishikesh Mukherjee's direction, she gave the performance of a lifetime , for which she received Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award; as the tough matriarch who falls in love in Professor (1962), and the devious hunchback Manthara in Ramanand Sagar's television series Ramayan. Lalita Pawar died in 1998, February 24.

Lalita Pawar has had the longest ever innings in the industry which spanned seven decades.