It’s a sad day for the Kannada film industry. Veteran actress Leelavathi left for her heavenly abode earlier today at a private hospital in Nelamangala, located on the outskirts of the city of Bengaluru. The actress died at the age of 85. The death of the actress has put everyone from all the various film industries in a state of gloom.

After having worked in more than 600 films including numerous films in Tamil and Telugu, the actress breathed her last after suffering from old age-related ailments. She worked in over 400 films in Kannada and was massively popular in all the southern film industries. As per reports she was living at Nelamangala with her son, Vinod Raj, who is also an actor.

Talking to PTI, Vinod Raj confirmed the news and mourned the loss of his mother. He said, “I am now left alone. Thankfully Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar got her admitted to the hospital.”

CM Siddaramaiah also mourned the death of the legend. As per a report on PTI, he said, “Last week, after hearing about her illness, I visited her home and inquired about her health and talked to her son Vinod Raj... I pray for her soul to rest in peace...”

Former Prime Minister of India HD Deve Gowda was also one of the many who expressed his condolence for the demise of the veteran actress. Former chief ministers BS Yediyurappa, Basavaraj Bommai and HD Kumaraswamy also went ahead and expressed their condolences to the deceased’s family.

For the unversed, Leelavathi’s real name was Leela Kiran. She was born in the district of Dakshina Kannada in the township of Belthangadi. Some of her notable works include popular blockbusters like ‘Bhakta Kumbara’, ‘Santha Thukaram’, ‘Bhatka Prahlada’, ‘Mangalya Yoga’ and Mana Mechchida Madadi’. ‘Chanchala Kumari’ and ‘Nagakannika’ were two of her very first films which got her into the limelight. Before entering films, she was part of the Sri Sahitya Samrajya Drama Company. It was at this Drama Company that her dreams of becoming an actress got wings. She had also been part of Subbaiah Naidu’s drama company where in 1958 she even got to play a small role in ‘Bhakta Prahlada’. It was from this that she got noticed worldwide and also got offers to work with bigger stars like Dr Rajkumar. She had done numerous films with the Kannada matinee idol Dr Rajkumar.

Not many would know that she won the National Film Award twice. Not just that, she was even the proud beholder of 6 state awards.

May her soul rest in peace.