This legendary actress graced golden era of Indian cinema sharing the screen with stalwarts like Ashok Kumar and Raj Kapoor. Behind the camera’s glow however her journey was anything but smooth. Battling personal trials and professional setbacks she stood resilient through it all. Let’s identify who this actress was. The First Educated Actress In Indian Cinema If there was a single face that symbolized education and dignity in the films of the 30s and 40s it was Leela Chitnis. Hailing from a well-educated Marathi family Leela was daughter of an English professor and became the first actress in Bollywood to hold a Bachelors degree. She began her career in theater and ventured into acting with the theater troupe Natyamanvantar. She also earned the distinction of being Maharashtras first society lady graduate. Later she slowly carved out her niche in film industry. Alongside her acting career she was also a pioneering model for a major brand like Lux during that time. Having collaborated with icons such as Ashok Kumar and Raj Kapoor Leela experienced numerous highs and lows in her life yet her dignity and confidence made her a role model in Indian Cinema. Leela’s Failed Marriage That Led Her Towards Big Screen At young age of 15-16 Leela entered into marriage with Dr. Gajanan Yashwant Chitnis who was a prominent physician of his time. The duo had four sons together but over time their marriage began to deteriorate. Ultimately Leela chose to seek divorce and took on the responsibility of raising their children on her own while working as a teacher. Slowly she began to pursue a career in films. Initially he took on minor roles even working as an extra. He accepted any part he could find to support his family. However the 1937 film Gentleman Daku marked significant turning point in his career where she donned mens attire and astonished everyone with her performance. Following this she starred in major films such as Kangan Azad Bandhan and Bombay Talkies. The on-screen pairing of Leela Chitnis and Ashok Kumar was very successful leading to numerous hit films like Azad Bandhan and Jhoola. She also portrayed Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor’s mother in cult-classics Shaheed and Awaara. Eventually she became recognized for her roles as a mother in various films. There came a period when she stepped away from film industry. After departing from it she relocated to America. The veteran actor passed away from natural causes at nursing home in Danbury Connecticut on July 14 2003 at age of 94. Although the exact cause of death was not specified it was classified as a natural death. She had resided in Connecticut for several years to stay close to her family.