Laxmi Chhaya was an Indian actress and dancer, who was best known for her work inHindi films throughout the 1960s. She starred in over 100 films over 25 years, which include Gumnaam, Teesri Manzil, Duniya, Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, and Raaste Kaa Patthar and was active from 1958 to 1986. In 2004, she died from cancer at the age of 56.
Career
1960–1969
Chhaya began acting with a guest appearance in Talaq. In 1962, Chhaya starred in the film Naughty Boy as Bela, her first role that wasn't a guest role. In 1965, she made a guest appearance in Gumnaam, as the masked dancer in the song Jaan Pehechan Ho. Her performance gained a cult following internationally, receiving attention in both India and America, and has been deemed her signature performance. 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, and is considered to be a classic film. Throughout 1967, Chhaya had begun to make more guest appearances, and starred 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 also starred in the film Pyar Ka Mausam.
1970–1986
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 film Do Chor in the same year. Following a series of commercially unsuccessful films, in 1986, she retired the film industry after starring in the film Bijli. 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 from cancer in Mumbai at the age of 56. Tributes have been published and created in recognition of Chhaya's work in the film industry.
