Leela Mishra was an actress who carved a niche for herself in the film industry. She is remembered for her role as Basanti’s aunt in the iconic film ‘Sholay.’ Mishra appeared in over 300 films throughout her career and maintained her own set of principles. She never removed her veil on screen. Mishra began acting at the age of 18, already a mother of two. Initially, her family opposed her entry into films, but her husband’s support eventually led to their acceptance. She married Ram Prasad Mishra at the young age of 12. Ram was a character artist in silent films. It was Ram’s uncle who advised Leela to pursue a career in acting. Together, Ram and Leela were signed for the film ‘Sati Sulochana.’ Leela received a fee of 500 rupees for this film, while Ram received 150 rupees. Leela’s popularity on screen surpassed that of Ram. She insisted on not removing her veil and refused to take on romantic roles with any actor. However, these conditions were accepted due to her acting abilities, and she went on to star in many films. At the age of 18, she played the role of a hero’s mother in the film ‘Honhar,’ which brought her instant fame. It is said that many characters were written for films keeping her in mind. Even with her limited screen time in ‘Sholay,’ she was loved by the audience. The actress passed away at the age of 80 due to a heart attack, but her name remains prominent in the industry today.
