On September 9, 2021, Leena Maria Paul made headlines when she was arrested by the Delhi Police in a Rs. 200 crore extortion case. Leena Maria Paul is an Indian actress known for her roles in Malayalam and Hindi films. Her life story is a mix of ambition, fame, and controversy. She started as a model and actress but became more famous for her involvement in fraud cases. This article explores her early life, education, career, personal life, and the controversies that have shaped her public image. Written in simple English, this biography aims to provide a detailed yet easy-to-read account of Leena Maria Paul’s life for Indian beginners.
Early Life and Education
Leena Maria Paul was born in 1988 in Bengaluru, India. Some sources also mention Dubai as her birthplace, but most confirm she was born in Bengaluru. She grew up in a middle-class family that followed the Hindu religion. There is little information about her parents or siblings. Her father’s name is not known, and her mother’s name remains undisclosed. Leena kept her family details private, so not much is known about her early home life.
Leena completed her schooling in Bengaluru. She was a bright student with dreams of a stable career. After finishing school, she moved to Dubai to pursue higher education. There, she studied dentistry and earned a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree. Leena wanted to become a dentist and even trained for it in Bengaluru before moving to Dubai. However, her passion for acting and modeling soon took over. She decided to leave dentistry and chase a career in the entertainment industry.
Leena Maria Paul Age, Wiki, Biography, Net Worth, Husband, Children, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Leena Maria Paul (also known as Leena Mariya) |
| Date of Birth | 1988 |
| Place of Birth | Bengaluru, India (some sources mention Angamali, Thrissur, Kerala) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), completed in Dubai |
| Schooling | Primary schooling in Dubai |
| Profession | Actress, Model, Entrepreneur (owns a beauty parlor in Kochi) |
| Marital Status | Married to Sukesh Chandrasekhar (conman involved in fraud cases) |
| Family | Limited information; parents reportedly live in Dubai; has a brother |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Caste | Bengali Kayasthas (per some sources) |
| Acting Debut | Red Chillies (2009, Malayalam film, supporting role as Roya Kareena) |
| Notable Films | Red Chillies (2009), Husbands in Goa (2012), Cobra (2012), Madras Cafe (2013, Bollywood debut as RAW Decoder), Biriyani (2013), Pretham Undu Sookshikkuka (2017) |
| Other Work | Modeled in commercials, TV anchor |
| Controversies | - Arrested in 2013 for Rs. 19 crore fraud (Canara Bank, Chennai) with Sukesh Chandrasekhar - Arrested in 2015 for Rs. 10 crore scam in Mumbai - Arrested in 2021 for Rs. 200 crore extortion case involving Sukesh Chandrasekhar - Linked to a 2018 shootout at her Kochi beauty parlor involving gangster Ravi Pujari |
| Assets | Reportedly owned 6-9 luxury cars (e.g., Bentley, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce), a Rs. 15 crore beachside bungalow, 81 luxury wristwatches (seized in 2013) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed (some sources state "None" or unverified) |
| Current Status | Involved in legal battles; claimed acquittal in some cases (2016); low social media presence post-arrests |
Entry into the Entertainment Industry
Leena Maria Paul began her journey in the entertainment world in 2011 as a model. She appeared in several commercials in the Malayalam industry. Her good looks and confidence helped her gain attention. She started with small anchoring roles and modeling assignments. Her big break came in 2009 when she debuted as an actress in the Malayalam film *Red Chillies*. Directed by Shaji Kailas, the movie starred the famous actor Mohanlal. Leena played a supporting role as Roya Kareena. Sharing the screen with Mohanlal was a big achievement for her.
In 2012, Leena appeared in two more Malayalam films. She acted in *Cobra*, a film starring Mammootty, Lalu Alex, and others. She also played a role in the comedy film *Husbands in Goa*, directed by Saji Surendran. These roles helped her gain recognition in the Malayalam film industry. However, her biggest moment came in 2013 when she entered Bollywood with *Madras Cafe*. Directed by Shoojit Sircar, this political action thriller starred John Abraham. Leena played the role of a RAW decoder, a Tamil rebel. She was excited about her Bollywood debut and said, “I had doubts whether I could get a break in the industry, but now, it is the colour of my skin that has got me such an interesting role.”
In the same year, Leena acted in the Tamil film *Biriyani*, playing the character Sree Devi. She also appeared in the 2017 horror-comedy *Pretham Undu Sookshikkuka*. Despite these roles, Leena’s acting career did not grow as expected. She remained a small-time actress, often overshadowed by the controversies in her life.
Personal Life and Marriage
Leena Maria Paul is married to Sukesh Chandrasekhar, a man known for being involved in multiple fraud cases. Their love story began in Bengaluru around 2009 or 2010. Sukesh was charmed by Leena and promised her a life of luxury, including cars and film roles. Their relationship faced challenges early on. In 2011, Sukesh was arrested, and Leena claimed she was also a victim of his scams. She briefly broke ties with him. However, after his release, Sukesh convinced her to reconcile, and they grew closer. Reports suggest they even planned to have a child, but Leena had an abortion.
Leena and Sukesh married, though the exact date is not clear. Their marriage had ups and downs. Soon after tying the knot, they considered separation due to differences. By 2011, they resolved their issues and continued living together. Their relationship often made headlines due to their involvement in illegal activities. Leena and Sukesh lived a lavish lifestyle, owning luxury cars like Bentley Bentayga, Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Urus, Mercedes AMG 63, and Rolls-Royce Ghost. They also lived in a Rs. 15 crore beachside bungalow and owned expensive handbags, watches, and gold.
Controversies and Legal Issues
Leena Maria Paul’s life took a dramatic turn due to her involvement in fraud cases. She gained more attention for her legal troubles than her acting career. In 2013, Leena and Sukesh were arrested for siphoning off Rs. 19 crore from the Teynampet branch of Canara Bank in Chennai. The police seized nine luxury cars and 81 expensive wristwatches from their Bengaluru residences. Sukesh often posed as the grandson of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to scam people. He duped individuals across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, promising government contracts.
After securing bail, Leena and Sukesh moved to Mumbai. In 2015, they were arrested again by the Mumbai Economic Offences Wing for a Rs. 10 crore scam. They promised investors returns of 20% to 300% on investments between Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 5 lakh. The police caught them before they could flee the city. Leena’s lawyer claimed she was innocent and not involved in the scams. However, her arrests continued to make headlines.
In 2018, Leena was linked to another controversy. A shootout occurred at her beauty parlor, The Nail Artistry, in Kochi on December 15. Gangster Ravi Pujari tried to extort Rs. 25 crore from her. When Leena refused, shots were fired outside her parlor. She sought police protection, but the Kerala High Court denied her request, citing her involvement in three pending cases. Leena claimed she received threat calls from someone posing as Ravi Pujari since November 2018.
In 2021, Leena was arrested again by the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing for a Rs. 200 crore extortion case. She and Sukesh were accused of extorting money from Aditi Singh, the wife of Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh. Sukesh posed as a senior Law Ministry official, promising to secure bail for Aditi’s husband. The couple allegedly planned to flee the country after the scam. The police seized assets worth Rs. 50-60 crore, including cash, gold, and luxury items. Leena’s bail plea was dismissed by the Supreme Court of India on October 30, 2023. Her lawyer argued she had no role in the cases, but the court disagreed.
Business Ventures and Lifestyle
Apart from acting, Leena Maria Paul owned a beauty parlor in Kochi called The Nail Artistry. She was passionate about fashion and owned expensive jewelry, handbags worth Rs. 26.9 lakh, and 51 luxurious wristwatches. Her net worth was estimated at Rs. 6-7 crore, but much of her wealth was seized during her arrests. Leena loved shopping at high-end malls and maintained a glamorous image on social media. However, she kept her profiles low-key after her 2015 arrest.
Current Status and Public Image
Leena Maria Paul’s life is a tale of ambition and controversy. She started with dreams of becoming a dentist and then an actress. Her roles in films like *Red Chillies* and *Madras Cafe* showed her potential, but her career was overshadowed by legal issues. Her association with Sukesh Chandrasekhar brought her into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. From fraud cases to a shootout at her beauty parlor, Leena’s life has been far from ordinary.
Today, Leena remains a controversial figure. Her arrests and lavish lifestyle have made her a topic of discussion in the media. While she maintains her innocence, the courts and police have linked her to multiple scams. Her story is a reminder that fame and wealth can come with a heavy price. For Indian beginners reading this, Leena Maria Paul’s life shows how choices and associations can shape one’s path, for better or worse.
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