Bengaluru: Renowned Kannada actress Leelavathi, aged 85, passed away on Friday due to respiratory issues at a private hospital in Nelamangala, Bengaluru.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X, mourning the loss of the legendary actress. He praised Leelavathi as a “true icon of cinema” and highlighted her versatility in portraying diverse roles throughout her career.
Saddened to hear about the passing of the legendary Kannada film personality Leelavathi Ji. A true icon of cinema, she graced the silver screen with her versatile acting in numerous films. Her diverse roles and remarkable talent will always be remembered and admired. My thoughts…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 8, 2023
Leelavathi, with a filmography of over 600 films, left her mark not only in Kannada cinema but also in notable Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu projects. Her debut in Kannada cinema was with “Mangalya Yoga,” and she gained fame through iconic Kannada films like “Ranadheera Kanteerava,” “Rani Honnamma,” “Gaali Gopura,” “Naagarahaavu,” “Mana Mecchida Madadi,” and “Gejje Pooje,” among others.
Her son, Vinod Raj, also ventured into Kannada cinema as a hero, with his notable film being “Dance Raaja Dance.” Leelavathi was honored with the Dr Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award by the Karnataka government, recognizing her significant contributions to the film industry.
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