BANGALORE: She may have wowed her audience for years with her acting on silver screen, but the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) wasn't charmed by her.
Leelavathi, a Sandalwood actress who even has a best actress award from the state government in her kitty, has waited for three decades to get a plot in her name.
"I have been requesting the BDA to allot a site to me since I do not have a house in Bangalore," said Leelavathi, adding that some artistes were allotted housing sites by the BDA. "I do not know what caused such a long delay."
Leelavathi submitted an application to the BDA 29 years ago requesting them to allot a site on her name.
Leelavathi, who has acted with veterans like Shivaji Ganeshan, NTR and Dr Rajkumar, is the only actress from Karnataka after whom a street has been named in Chennai.
She received the best supporting actress award for Gejje Pooje in 196970, Sipayi Ramu in 197172 and Dr Krishna in 198990. She won the Dr Rajkumar award in 19992000. She was awarded doctorate by Tumkur University in 2009.
Leelavathi had earlier expressed her displeasure with the state government for not allotting her a plot in Bangalore.
She said that she had approached subsequent chief ministers and BDA officials but in vain.
The BDA will soon allot a plot in her name. She said the BDA officials have advised her to meet them on Saturday.
"I do not know whether to feel happy or not. The BDA did not allot the site when I needed it," she said.
Leelavathi said a few years ago, the BDA officials had told her that they were allotting her a 30x40 ft site.
"I requested them to allot a slightly bigger one," she said.
She said she would be happy if the BDA allots a site for her within the city limits, preferably near a hospital.
"I am not in good health. It will be a great help if the BDA allots a site where medical facilities are available," she said.
BDA Commissioner Bharat Lal Meena said he was not aware of the matter. "I will discuss it with the officials concerned," he said.