Laxmi Chhaya


Laxmi Chhaya was an Indian actress, dancer and teacher, who was known for her distinctive character roles and appearances in Hindi films.
Following a series of roles as a child actor, Chhaya earned recognition for her appearance as a masked dancer in Mohammed Rafi's "Jaan Pehechan Ho", which appeared in the horror film Gumnaam. Her highest-critical successes came with Teesri Manzil, Duniya, Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, and Raaste Kaa Patthar.
Chhaya was active from 1958 to 1986, a period in which she amassed over 100 film credits. She subsequently worked as a dance teacher. In 2004, she died from cancer at the age of 56.

Career

Chhaya began acting with an uncredited appearance as one of the school girls in Talaq. In 1962, She starred in the film Naughty Boy as Bela, her first role that wasn't a cameo.
In 1965, she appeared as a masked dancer in Gumnaam, performing in the song Jaan Pehechan Ho. Her performance gained a cult following across India and America; it has been regarded as her signature work. IndiaTimes Group states: "The enthusiastic dance by Laxmi Chhaya and Herman Benjamin is not something today’s actors will be able to pull off with the same ease and grace." In 1966, Chhaya starred as Meena in the film Teesri Manzil. Starring alongside Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh, the film was praised for its songs, as well as its story and ensemble. In 1967, she had made guest appearances in many critically acclaimed films, such as Ram Aur Shyam, Baharon Ke Sapne, Upkar and Raat Aur Din.
In 1968, she starred in Duniya as Laxmi, a role named after her. In 1969, Chhaya next starred as Rita in the film Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke, where she starred in a supporting role once again with Asha Parekh. The movie was a commercial success. In the same year, she starred in the film Pyar Ka Mausam. In 1971, Chhaya starred as Munnibai, a young girl who works undercover for a dacoit, in Mera Gaon Mera Desh, her first role as part of the main cast. The film was a major and critical success at the time, and is considered to be one of Chhaya's best performances.
In 1972, she starred with Amitabh Bachchan in Raaste Kaa Patthar, where she was part of the main cast, and received praise for her dancing in the song "Main Sharaab Bechti Hoon". She starred in the films Do Chor and Bindiya Aur Bandook in the same year. Following these roles, Chhaya made more guest appearances in films such as Do Phool, Sharafat Chod Di Maine, Haiwan, and she also had a guest role in Dhoti Lota Aur Chowpatty, which was known for its extensive cast list. She had a starring role in Paijjecha Vida, which was a box-office flop.
After a series of commercially unsuccessful films, she retired from the film industry in 1987 after a guest appearance in the film Parakh. In the years prior to her death, Chhaya went on to open her own dance school, where she taught dancing to indigent children.

Death

On 9 May 2004, Chhaya died of cancer in Mumbai at the age of 56. Tributes have been published and created in recognition of Chhaya's work in the film industry.

Selected filmography

Hindi

  1. Talaq
  2. Bada Aadmi
  3. Naughty Boy
  4. Umeed
  5. Royal Mail
  6. Holiday In Bombay
  7. Bluff Master
  8. Bhootnath
  9. Zingaro
  10. Roop Sundari
  11. Shehnai
  12. Maharani Padmini
  13. Aandhi Aur Toofan
  14. Tarzan Aur Jalpari
  15. Kohra
  16. Krishnavatar
  17. Gumnaam
  18. Mohabbat Isko Kehete Hain
  19. Panch Ratan
  20. Mere Sanam
  21. Rustum-E-Hind
  22. Maharaja Vikram
  23. Khakaan
  24. Tarzan Comes To Delhi
  25. Sunehra Jaal
  26. Teesri Manzil
  27. Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya
  28. Husn Aur Ishq
  29. Ladka Ladki
  30. Shera Daku
  31. Phool Aur Patthar
  32. Alibaba Aur 40 Chor
  33. Jadoo
  34. Dada
  35. Budtameez
  36. Aasra
  37. Ram Aur Shyam
  38. Raaz
  39. Aamne Samne
  40. Wahan Ke Log
  41. Mera Bhai Mera Dushman
  42. Baharon Ke Sapne
  43. Johar In Bombay
  44. Raat Aur Din
  45. Gunehgar
  46. Upkar
  47. Naunihal
  48. Milan Ki Raat
  49. Mohhabat Aur Jung
  50. Shamsher
  51. Izzat
  52. Vaasna
  53. Haye Mera Dil
  54. Gauri
  55. Ek Raat
  56. Duniya
  57. Jung Aur Aman
  58. Suhaag Raat
  59. Kanyadaan
  60. Mere Huzoor
  61. Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke
  62. Pyar Ka Mausam
  63. Bahurupi
  64. Nandini
  65. Hum Ek Hain
  66. Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati
  67. Mere Humsafar
  68. Ek Nanhi Munni Ladki Thi
  69. Yeh Khoon Rang Layega
  70. Chetna
  71. Yaadgaar
  72. My Love
  73. Rootha Na Karo
  74. Veer Ghatotkach
  75. Mera Gaon Mera Desh
  76. Parwana
  77. Patanga
  78. Umeed
  79. Jai Bangladesh
  80. Raaste Kaa Patthar
  81. Do Chor
  82. Kaun Sacha Kaun Jutha
  83. Kundan
  84. Tanhai
  85. Bindiya Aur Bandook
  86. Ek Khiladi Bawan Pattey
  87. Nanha Shikari
  88. Jhoom Utha Akash
  89. Suraj Aur Chanda
  90. Kora Aanchal
  91. Do Phool
  92. Hamrahi
  93. Mera Vachan Geeta Ki Qasam
  94. Dhoti Lota Aur Chowpatty
  95. Daaku
  96. Badnaam
  97. Mounto
  98. Sharafat Chod Di Maine
  99. Kasam
  100. Alibaba
  101. Haiwan
  102. Ooparwala Jaane
  103. Hatyara
  104. Kanoon Ka Shikar
  105. Teen Eekay
  106. Nagin Aur Suhagan
  107. Chattis Nakhrewali
  108. Sanjh Ki Bela
  109. Tu Meri Main Tera
  110. Raakh Aur Chingari
  111. Bheegi Palkein
  112. Kaun Hai Woh
  113. Ek Baar Chale Aao
  114. Pyar Bina Jag Soona
  115. ''Parakh''

    Marathi

  116. Tevde Sodun Bola
  117. Paijech Vida
  118. Javayachi Jaat
  119. Didh Shane
  120. Darodekhor
  121. Ram Ram Amatharam
  122. Chorachya Manat Chandane
  123. Jagavegali Prem Kahani
  124. Bijli
  125. ''Bola Dajiba''

    Gujrati

  126. Jai Ranchhod
  127. Chandu Jamadar
  128. ''Vanjari Vav''

    Bhojpuri

  129. Dangal
  130. ''Dharti Maiya''

    Telugu

  131. ''Prem Nagar''