Latest news with #ChashmeBudoor
Economic Times
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Amitabh Bachchan co-star kept shooting despite being paralyzed, died soon after her last shot
Agencies Leela Mishra played the role of Hema Malini's mausi in the cult classic 'Sholay' Sai Paranjpye, a formidable force in Indian cinema, carved her name into the annals of history by entering the largely male-dominated world of Bollywood filmmaking. As both a director and screenwriter, she stood tall as a rare woman in a space overwhelmingly occupied by men. Throughout her illustrious career, she worked with many renowned names, but one unsung gem stood out in her memory—a name not often echoed in mainstream conversations about cinema's legends. In a heartfelt conversation with Filmfare, Paranjpye reflected on her 1983 film Katha and was reminded of the extraordinary Leela Mishra. Known to most as the aunt in Sholay, Mishra was, in Paranjpye's words, a symbol of unmatched professionalism and commitment. 'She was the embodiment of punctuality and perfection. I've never come across anyone quite like her,' Sai recalled warmly. She added that despite Mishra's lack of formal education, her understanding of filmmaking was instinctive and profound. Recalling her work in Chashme Budoor, Sai noted that Leela instinctively added her own creative touch to a scene—effortlessly climbing the stairs to the boys' home, improvising in the moment with grace and ease. One particular story that Sai shared painted a deeply moving picture of Leela Mishra's indomitable spirit. During the filming of what would be her final movie, Leela reportedly suffered a paralytic stroke. With half of her body immobilized, the set was thrown into confusion. People began discussing how to rush her back to Mumbai for treatment. But Leela, unshaken by her condition, insisted on completing the scene. 'We still have one shot to do,' she said firmly. She requested the camera crew to frame her from her unaffected side. Only after delivering her final performance did she return to Mumbai, where she sadly passed away shortly also shared another striking insight into Leela's no-nonsense attitude when it came to work compensation. Mishra was firm about being fairly paid, always demanding her standard rate of ₹1000 per day, regardless of the part's size. When she was approached to act in Satyajit Ray's Shatranj Ke Khilari, she reportedly didn't recognize his name. Her only question was whether she would receive her usual Mishra's legacy, as told through Sai Paranjpye's eyes, is not only of a seasoned actress but also of a woman with unwavering dignity, self-respect, and love for her craft. Her story is a quiet anthem of resilience, often overshadowed, but never forgotten.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
This Amitabh Bachchan co-star kept shooting despite being paralyzed, died soon after her last shot
Sai Paranjpye , a formidable force in Indian cinema , carved her name into the annals of history by entering the largely male-dominated world of Bollywood filmmaking . As both a director and screenwriter, she stood tall as a rare woman in a space overwhelmingly occupied by men. Throughout her illustrious career, she worked with many renowned names, but one unsung gem stood out in her memory—a name not often echoed in mainstream conversations about cinema's legends. In a heartfelt conversation with Filmfare, Paranjpye reflected on her 1983 film Katha and was reminded of the extraordinary Leela Mishra . Known to most as the aunt in Sholay, Mishra was, in Paranjpye's words, a symbol of unmatched professionalism and commitment. 'She was the embodiment of punctuality and perfection. I've never come across anyone quite like her,' Sai recalled warmly. She added that despite Mishra's lack of formal education, her understanding of filmmaking was instinctive and profound. Recalling her work in Chashme Budoor, Sai noted that Leela instinctively added her own creative touch to a scene—effortlessly climbing the stairs to the boys' home, improvising in the moment with grace and ease. One particular story that Sai shared painted a deeply moving picture of Leela Mishra's indomitable spirit. During the filming of what would be her final movie, Leela reportedly suffered a paralytic stroke. With half of her body immobilized, the set was thrown into confusion. People began discussing how to rush her back to Mumbai for treatment. But Leela, unshaken by her condition, insisted on completing the scene. 'We still have one shot to do,' she said firmly. She requested the camera crew to frame her from her unaffected side. Only after delivering her final performance did she return to Mumbai, where she sadly passed away shortly after. Sai also shared another striking insight into Leela's no-nonsense attitude when it came to work compensation. Mishra was firm about being fairly paid, always demanding her standard rate of ₹1000 per day, regardless of the part's size. When she was approached to act in Satyajit Ray's Shatranj Ke Khilari, she reportedly didn't recognize his name. Her only question was whether she would receive her usual fee. Leela Mishra's legacy, as told through Sai Paranjpye's eyes, is not only of a seasoned actress but also of a woman with unwavering dignity, self-respect, and love for her craft. Her story is a quiet anthem of resilience, often overshadowed, but never forgotten.
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Sholay's mausi insisted on finishing work despite getting paralytic attack that left half her body immobile, asked, ‘Who is Satyajit Ray' after being offered Shatranj Ke Khilari
Sai Paranjpye is a trailblazer in every sense of the word. She broke into Bollywood as a director and screenwriter, which, like many other disciplines, was a male-dominated field. Among the many stars that she directed in her career, she highlighted one actor who often flies under the radar when people talk about impactful personalities on the screen. In a recent interview, Sai shared how actor Leela Mishra, who played the Hema Malini's mausi in Sholay, was one of a kind, and the most professional actor she had ever met. While talking to Filmfare, Sai was sharing anecdotes from her 1983 movie Katha, which reminded her of Leela. Describing her as a precise and punctual actor, she said, 'She was professionalism personified; I had never met anyone like her. I hope I am not doing her wrong, but she wasn't educated, but she knew every aspect and nuance of filmmaking. While shooting Chashme Budoor, she improvised the scene where she is climbing up the stairs to get to the house of the boys.' ALSO READ: 'Grumpy and disinterested' Sanjeev Kumar told Sai Paranjpye that he could spare just 15 minutes for narration and backed out of the film because he had beef with Basu Bhattacharya. The director gave a heart-wrenching example of Mishra's professionalism and shared that while shooting her last film, Leela suffered a paralytic attack but continued shooting until the scene was over. 'I heard a story that when she was doing her very last film, she got a paralytic attack while shooting. Half of her body became paralysed, and the shooting stopped. People got in a frenzy and were making plans to send her back to Mumbai, but she said, 'No, we still have one shot left.' She told the crew to shoot her from the side that was still mobile, and she finished that scene. She went to Mumbai after finishing that film, and she died soon after.' Sai said that Leela was very particular about getting compensated for her work and that payment was high on her priority list. 'She was very particular about her payments, and she was always paid Rs 1000 per day, no matter the length of the role. When people offered her a role in Satyajit Ray's Shatranj Ke Khilari, she didn't even know who Ray was. All she enquired about was her payment and whether she will be paid her usual amount or not.'
