Leena Sequeira known mononymously as Leelavathi, was an Indian actress, producer and philanthropist who worked predominantly in Kannada and Tamil films, in addition to few Telugu, Malayalam and Tulu films. After having her stint at the theatre, Leelavathi made her film debut in a small role in Nagakannika (1949). She went on to act in more than 600 films (more than 400 in Kannada alone) throughout her career spanning over five decades.
Leelavathi is known for many memorable performances as a lead actress in films such as Rani Honnamma, Bhakta Kumbara, Valar Pirai, Mana Mecchida Madadi and Santha Thukaram. In early 1970s, she switched towards performing character roles and was notable in films such as Gejje Pooje, Upasane, Naagarahaavu, Vasantha Geetha, Shravana Banthu and Eradu Nakshatragalu. She was the recipient of the Dr. Rajkumar Award in 1999 and Filmfare Awards.
Leena Sequeira was born in Mura, a village in Belthangady town of Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka which was then a part of Madras Presidency. She lost her parents at the age of 6. Leena and her sister Angelina Sequeira raised under the care of their elder cousin. Both the sisters had passion for dancing and they both earned their living by training people in dance.
Leelavathi had a small role in Chanchala Kumari and then in Shanker Singh’s film Naga Kannika. She later joined the troupe of Mahalinga Bhagavathar’s Sri Sahitya Samrajya Drama Company. She got a chance to act in Subbainaidu’s 1958 movie Bhakta Prahlada and in movies like Mangalya Yoga, Dharma Vijaya and Ranadheera Kanteerava. It was from Rani Honnamma that Leelavathi became a full-fledged heroine and went on to act in many films as the leading lady, like Santha Thukaram, Kantheredu Nodu, Kaivara Mahatme, Gaali Gopura, Kanyarathna, Kulavadhu, Veera Kesari and Mana Mecchida Madadi. She has starred in key supporting roles in a large number of films and received the Karnataka State Award for Gejje Pooje and Doctor Krishna.
Leelavathi had the rare distinction of working with Rajkumar in various films as heroine as well as in other roles like daughter (Bhoodana), daughter-in-law (Kittur Chennamma), sister (Vathsalya), sister-in-law (elder brother’s wife in Premamayi and younger brother’s wife in Kalitharu Henne), paternal aunt (Shravana Banthu), and mother-in-law (Vasantha Geetha, Naa Ninna Mareyalare and Jwaalamukhi).
