12 Facts About Leela Mishra

Leela Mishra worked as a character actor in over 200 Hindi films for five decades, and is best remembered for playing stock characters such as aunts.

Leela Mishra was married to Ram Prasad Mishra, who was a character artist, then working in silent films.

Leela Mishra got married at the very young age of 12.

Leela Mishra hailed from Jais, Raebareli, and she and her husband were from zamindar families.

Leela Mishra was discovered by a man called Mama Shinde, who was working for Dadasaheb Phalke's Nasik Cinetone.

Leela Mishra persuaded her husband to make her work in films.

However, Leela Mishra lost out on this opportunity too, as the role required her to put her arms round the actor while delivering a dialogue, which she point-blank refused to do.

Leela Mishra faced a similar problem while working in another film titled Honhaar.

Leela Mishra was cast opposite Shahu Modak as a heroine, and was supposed to hug and embrace him, which she again refused steadfastly.

Leela Mishra was offered Modak's mother's role in the film and it clicked instantly.

Leela Mishra acted in the first Bhojpuri film, Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo, which starred Kumkum, Helen and Nazir Hussain.

Leela Mishra died of a heart attack in Bombay on 17 January 1988 at the age of 80.