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<a href="//en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leela_Naidu&diff=445859&oldid=140404">Show changes</a>Sergzrrhttps://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leela_Naidu&diff=140404&oldid=previmported>Jay: /* Personal life */ rm sons-in-law who are not relevant here, and which were citation needed since a few years2021-07-29T19:10:43Z<p><span class="autocomment">Personal life: </span> rm sons-in-law who are not relevant here, and which were citation needed since a few years</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Leela Naidu<br />
| image = Leela Naidu 2011 stamp of India.jpg<br />
| image_size = 250px<br />
| caption = Naidu on a 2011 stamp of India<br />
| birthname = <br />
| birth_date = 1940<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/leela-naidu-miss-india-of-1954-who-went-on-to-forge-a-career-as-an-actress-with-a-touch-of-western-1790753.html|title=Leela Naidu: Miss India of 1954 who went on to forge a career as an|date=21 September 2009}}</ref><br />
| birth_place = <br />
| death_date = 28 July 2009 (aged 69)<br />
| death_place = Mumbai<br />
| othername = <br />
| occupation = Actor, Model {{Citation needed|date=July 2009|reason=Need a source which says she was a model}}<br />
| years_active = 1960–1992<br />
| spouse = {{Unbulleted list<br />
| {{marriage |Tilak Raj Oberoi |1956 |end=div}}<br />
| {{marriage |[[Dom Moraes]]|1969|end=separated}}<br />
}}<br />
| father = [[Pattipati Ramaiah Naidu]]<br />
| awards = [[Femina Miss India]]<br />
| website = <br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Leela Naidu''' ({{lang-te|లీలా నాయుడు}}; 1940 – 28 July 2009) was an [[India]]n actress who starred in a small number of [[Hindi]] and [[English language|English]] films, including ''[[Yeh Raste Hain Pyar Ke]]'' (1963), based on the real-life Nanavati case, and ''[[The Householder (film)|The Householder]]'', [[Merchant Ivory Productions]]' first film. She was [[Femina Miss India]] in 1954, and was featured in the ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]'' along with [[Maharani Gayatri Devi]] in the list of "World's Ten Most Beautiful Women", a list she was continuously listed in from the 1950s to the 1960s in prominent fashion magazines worldwide. She is remembered for her stunning classical beauty and subtle acting style.<br />
<br />
==Early life==<br />
Leela Naidu was born in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. Her father, Dr. [[Pattipati Ramaiah Naidu]], a well known [[nuclear physicist]], hailed from [[Madanapalle]], [[Chittoor]] District, [[Andhra Pradesh]], and had worked under the supervision of [[Nobel Prize|Nobel]] Laureate [[Marie Curie]] for his doctoral thesis in Paris. He ran one of Madame Curie's labs in Paris. He was Scientific Advisor to [[UNESCO]] for Southeast Asia, and later, an advisor to the Tata group. Her mother, journalist and Indologist, Dr. Marthe Mange Naidu, was of Swiss-French origin, from Pont d'Avignon, South-France and earned her PhD from the [[Sorbonne]].<ref name=yeh/><ref>[http://prevention.intoday.in/index.php?id=1620&issueid=13&option=com_content&task=view Profile] Lata Khubchandani, Prevention Today ([[India Today]])."French Mother"</ref><ref name=outlook>{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article/the-art-of-being-radiant/261179|title=The Art Of Being Radiant|date=17 August 2009|accessdate=30 July 2015|publisher=Outlook}}</ref> Naidu was the only surviving child out of eight pregnancies as Marthe had seven miscarriages.<br />
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Naidu enjoyed the advantages of birth and the connections of her parents. She grew up in Europe, went to an elite school in Geneva, Switzerland, and in her teens, took acting lessons from Jean Renoir.<br />
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Leela met [[Salvador Dalí]] in Grand-hotel Opera, Paris where he painted a portrait of her.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w9RSMrolEucC&q=dali|title=LEELA: A PATCHWORK LIFE|last=Pinto|first=Jerry|date=2010-05-06|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=9788184752540|language=en}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w9RSMrolEucC&q=mickey+mouse|title=LEELA: A PATCHWORK LIFE|last=Pinto|first=Jerry|date=2010-05-06|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=9788184752540|language=en}}</ref><br />
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==Career==<br />
Leela Naidu was crowned [[Femina Miss India]] in 1954, and the same year was featured in ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]'' magazine's list of the world's ten most beautiful women.<ref name=yeh>{{cite news |author=The Times of India |title=Leela Naidu put India on the beauty map |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/Leela-Naidu-put-India-on-the-beauty-map/articleshow/4832227.cms|date= 29 July 2009|work= The Times Of India|accessdate=29 July 2009|author-link= The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Actress, beauty queen Leela Naidu dead |url=http://ptinews.com/news/199096_Actress--beauty-queen-Leela-Naidu-dead |date=28 July 2009 |publisher=[[Press Trust of India]] |accessdate=29 July 2009}}</ref><br />
<br />
===Film career===<br />
Naidu made her film debut alongside [[Balraj Sahni]] in ''[[Anuradha (1960 film)|Anuradha]]'' (1962), directed by [[Hrishikesh Mukherjee]]. Mukherjee cast Naidu in the role after he happened to see one of her pictures taken by [[Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay]].<ref name=lee/> Though it was not successful at the box office, the film went on to win the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film]], and garnered Naidu critical acclaim. The movie's music, including the songs "Haye Re Woh Din Kewn Na Aaye", "Jaane Kaise Sapnon Mein Kho Gayin Ankhiyan" and "Kaise Din Beete Kaisi Beeti Raatein", were composed by sitar maestro [[Ravi Shankar]].<ref>[http://in.rediff.com/movies/2000/sep/12raju.htm A cineaste in the mainstream cinema] Raju Bharatan, [[Rediff.com]] 12 September 2000.</ref> Naidu's next film was Nitin Bose's ''[[Ummeed (1962 film)|Ummeed]]'' (1962), alongside [[Ashok Kumar]] and [[Joy Mukherjee]].<br />
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She played an offbeat role as an adulterous wife in ''[[Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke]]'' (1963), directed by [[R.K. Nayyar]].<ref>[http://in.rediff.com/movies/2005/may/25dutt7.htm 'The gentleman of the industry'] Lata Khubchandani, [[Rediff.com]] 25 May 2005.</ref> The movie, which co-starred [[Sunil Dutt]] and [[Rehman (actor)|Rehman]], was based on the real life case [[K. M. Nanavati vs. State of Maharashtra]].<ref name=yeh/><ref name=lee>{{cite news |title=Leela Naidu personified grace and beauty |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/City/Mumbai/Leela-Naidu-personified-grace-and-beauty/articleshow/4831749.cms|date=29 July 2009 |work=[[The Times of India]] |accessdate=29 July 2009 |first1=Bharati |last1=Dubey}}</ref> Despite its topical nature and controversial theme, the movie [[failure|flopped]]; however, some of its songs, notably "Ye Khaamoshiyaan, Ye Tanahaaiyaan", became quite popular.<ref>[http://passionforcinema.com/a-leela-naidu-film-ya-raste-hain-pyar-ke/ A Leela Naidu film : Ya Raste hain Pyar ke] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090526071015/http://passionforcinema.com/a-leela-naidu-film-ya-raste-hain-pyar-ke/ |date=26 May 2009 }} Passion for Cinema, 10 November 2006.</ref><br />
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In 1963, Naidu played the lead role of a rebellious young bride in the first [[Merchant Ivory Productions|Merchant Ivory film]] ''[[The Householder (film)|The Householder]]'', directed by [[James Ivory (director)|James Ivory]]. According to Leela in her 2009 semi-biography, Ismail Merchant and James Ivory had approached her about making their first ever feature movie with a story about an archaeologist, but this fell through as the backers did not like the film script. She then suggested to Merchant-Ivory, making a movie about a book called [[The Householder]] by [[Ruth Prawer Jhabvala]], which led to their introduction to Ruth and a fruitful lifelong partnership. [[Satyajit Ray]] lent his crew, got many of the actors he used in his movies to act in this movie, selected the music and musicians, re-cut and reedited the final version, thus guiding and teaching Merchant-Ivory in movie making technique which they successfully used in their award-winning movies and documentaries in the future.<br />
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After watching her performance in ''The Householder'', [[Satyajit Ray]], who had actually assisted and guided Merchant-Ivory in their first film venture, planned an English film, ''The Journey'', with [[Marlon Brando]], [[Shashi Kapoor]] and Naidu, but the film was never made.<ref>{{cite news |title=Satyajit Ray planned film with Leela Naidu, Brando |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4830321.cms|date=28 July 2009 |work= [[The Times of India]]|accessdate=29 July 2009}}</ref> She was considered for the role of Rosie in [[Vijay Anand (Hindi film maker)|Vijay Anand]]'s ''[[Guide (film)|Guide]]'' (1965), but the role required a trained dancer, and so Naidu lost out to [[Waheeda Rehman]]. Her last film in Hindi mainstream cinema was ''Baghi'' (1964), a costume extravaganza co-starring [[Pradeep Kumar]], [[Vijaya Choudhury]] and [[Mumtaz (actress)|Mumtaz]].<br />
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Later, Naidu made a guest appearance in the Merchant-Ivory film, ''[[The Guru (1969 film)|The Guru]]'' (1969).<ref>[http://in.rediff.com/movies/2005/may/26leela.htm 'He was an adorable producer'] Lata Khubchandani. [[Rediff.com]] 26 May 2005.</ref> She returned to cinema in 1985 to play a [[Goan]] matriarch in [[Shyam Benegal]]'s period film ''[[Trikaal]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title= Leela was wonderful: Benegal|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ENTERTAINMENT/Bollywood/News-Interviews/Leela-was-wonderful-Benegal/articleshow/4832879.cms |date=29 July 2009 |work=[[The Times of India]] |accessdate=29 July 2009}}</ref> Her appearance in ''[[Electric Moon]]'' (1992), directed by [[Pradip Krishen]], turned out to be her last cinematic role.<br />
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She turned down [[Raj Kapoor]] four times when he approached her for casting her in his films. David Lean wanted to cast her as Tonya in ''Dr. Zhivago'', Satyajit Ray wanted to make a film with her and Marlon Brando.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/a-lifelong-battle-against-beauty-110061600061_1.html|title=A lifelong battle against beauty|author=Suveen K. Sinha|date=16 June 2010|via=Business Standard}}</ref><br />
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Leela Naidu produced a documentary on mentally challenged children ''A Certain Childhood'', which was Kumar Shahni's first directorial project under the banner of Leela Naidu Films. Later, she registered under Unicorn Films to make another film ''Houseless Bombay'', which was never made. She briefly held a job as an editor at the Bombay-based magazine Key Notes.<br />
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In September 2009, ''Lila'', a documentary on Leela Naidu's life, by Bidisha Roy Das and Priyanjana Dutta was released.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sense and sensitivity: A documentary gives us glimpses of Leela Naidu, the person |url=http://www.livemint.com/Articles/2009/08/28205724/Sense-and-sensitivity.html |publisher=[[Live Mint]] |date=28 August 2009 |author=Jerry Pinto|author-link=Jerry Pinto }}</ref><br />
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==Personal life==<br />
In 1956, at the age of 17, she married Tilak Raj Oberoi, son of [[Mohan Singh Oberoi]], the founder of the luxury [[Oberoi Hotels]] chain.<ref name=ob>{{cite web| url=http://www.famoushotels.org/article/606| title=Oberoi Mohan Singh| date=9 November 2009| publisher=The Most Famous Hotels in the World.}}</ref> Tilak Raj, known as "Tikki", was 33 years old at the time.<ref name=ob/><ref>[http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=99523 Leela Naidu: An icon of Indian cinema passes away] ''[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]'', 1 August 2009</ref> Naidu and Oberoi had twin daughters, Maya and Priya. The brief marriage ended in divorce, and Oberoi won custody of the girls. Subsequently, Naidu met philosopher [[Jiddu Krishnamurti]] while in London, and was deeply attracted to his teachings.<ref>[http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/feb/17spec1.htm The Philosopher and the Actress] [[Rediff.com]] 17 February 2001.</ref> In 1969, she was married for the second time, to [[Mumbai]] poet [[Dom Moraes]]. They lived in [[Hong Kong]], [[New York City]], [[New Delhi]], and Mumbai for about 25 years. After the relationship ended, Naidu led a somewhat reclusive life in [[Colaba]], Mumbai.<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/One-of-world-s--most-beautiful-women--dies/495313 One of world's 'most beautiful women' dies] ''[[Indian Express]]'', 29 July 2009.</ref><br />
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Her grandsons are Adam Oberoi Bateman, born in June 1992 in New-Delhi to Maya Oberoi Naidu.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}} And the other grandson of Leela is Erwan Shrikant Oberoi Guitton, born 11 February 1993 in New-Delhi to Priya Oberoi Naidu.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}<br />
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Naidu also has a god-daughter of four decades, [[Oopali Operajita]], whom she met at [[Rishi Valley School]], and who is a Distinguished Fellow at [[Carnegie Mellon University]], a celebrated classical Odissi dancer, and a Senior Advisor to several of India's prominent leaders in the [[Lok Sabha]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2019/apr/07/concern-over-healthcare-1961300.html| title=Concern over healthcare| date=7 April 2019| author=Express News Service| accessdate=30 Jul 2021| website=newindianexpress.com}}</ref><br />
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==Death==<br />
Leela Naidu's separation from her second husband Moraes caused her to retire from public life. She lived alone, in an elegant and large old flat bequeathed to her father by the TATAs, at Sargent House, in the quaint by-lane of the Colaba Causeway. Naidu spent most of her last decade indoors but, inevitably, she had a steady roster of visitors as she was an excellent conversationalist. She would call her friends and keep in touch with both her daughters and grandsons. Her daughter Priya died of a heart attack on 8 February 2008.<br />
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Leela Naidu died in Mumbai on 28 July 2009, due to lung failure after a prolonged bout of [[influenza]], at the age of 69.<ref name=toi>{{cite news |title=Veteran Hindi film actress Leela Naidu dies |url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/Veteran-Hindi-film-actress-Leela-Naidu-dies/articleshow/4829286.cms |date= 28 July 2009|publisher=[[Times of India]] |accessdate=29 July 2009}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090731125516/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/yesteryear-actor-leela-naidu-dead/98035-8.html Leela Naidu dead] [[CNN IBN]] 28 July 2009.</ref> Her funeral was held on 29 July in Chandanwadi Crematorium attended by her daughter Maya, grandchildren and friends.<br />
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==Books==<br />
* ''Leela: A Patchwork Life'' co-authored with [[Jerry Pinto]]. Penguin Group, 2009.<br />
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== Filmography ==<br />
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===Films===<br />
*''[[Anuradha (1960 film)|Anuradha]]'' (1962), aka ''Love of Anuradha'' (International: English title) .... Anuradha Roy<br />
*''[[Ummeed (1962 film)|Ummeed]]'' (1962)<br />
*''[[Yeh Raste Hain Pyar Ke]]'' (1963) .... Neena<br />
*''[[The Householder (film)|The Householder]]'' (1963), aka ''Gharbar'' .... Indu<br />
*''[[Baghi (1964 film)|Baghi]]'' (1964)<br />
*''[[Aabroo (1968 film)|Aabroo]]'' (1968) .... Sharda<br />
*''[[The Guru (1969 film)|The Guru]]'' (1969) .... Girl at the Party<br />
*''[[Trikaal]]'' (Past, Present and Future) (1985) .... Dona Maria Souzasoares<br />
*''[[Electric Moon]]'' (1992) .... Socks<br />
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===Television===<br />
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*''[[Man of the World (TV series)|Man of the World]]'' .... Dr. Bahandi (1 episode – "The Frontier", 1962)<br />
*''[[Channing (TV series)|Channing]]'' The Face in the Sun (1 episode – "The Young and the Bold", 1964) .... Anna<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
*{{IMDb name|id=0619662|name=Leela Naidu}}<br />
* [http://prevention.intoday.in/index.php?id=1620&issueid=13&option=com_content&task=view May you stay forever young:Profile]<br />
* [http://www.domain-b.com/people/in_the_news/20090729_leela_naidu.html Flower in the shade: Leela Naidu passes away]<br />
<!-- *[http://robotics.eecs.berkeley.edu/~srinath/leela_naidu/]n ot working anymore --><br />
* [http://www.hamaraphotos.com/leela_naidu_463.html Photos of Leela Naidu]<br />
<!-- * Dom Moraes [https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184259/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mag/2004/06/13/stories/2004061300080100.htm] --><br />
* [http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:KQBzE0v1eFsJ:www.jmp.org.in/article.asp%3Fissn%3D0971-6203%3Byear%3D2003%3Bvolume%3D28%3Bissue%3D2%3Bspage%3D41%3Bepage%3D45%3Baulast%3DIyer%3Btype%3D2+dr.ramaiah+naidu+tata&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=in Dr. Ramaiah Naidu, India's first Radiological Physicist]<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120402180928/http://ampi.org.in/drramiahnaidu.html] Dr. P. Ramaiah Naidu profile at Association of Medical Physicists of India.<br />
* [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3014082/ Dr. Ramaiah Naidu Oration]<br />
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{{Authority control}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Naidu, Leela}}<br />
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]<br />
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]<br />
[[Category:Femina Miss India winners]]<br />
[[Category:1940 births]]<br />
[[Category:2009 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Actresses from Mumbai]]<br />
[[Category:Telugu people]]<br />
[[Category:People from Chittoor district]]<br />
[[Category:Indian television actresses]]<br />
[[Category:Actresses from Andhra Pradesh]]<br />
[[Category:Female models from Andhra Pradesh]]<br />
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi television]]<br />
[[Category:Moraes family]]</div>imported>Jay