Jaya Prada

Born on: April 3, 1962

Born in: Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh

Nationality: Indian

Career: Actress and Politician

Jaya Prada is a known Indian film actress and politician. Born in Andhra Pradesh, she started her film career with a Telugu film, at a young age of fourteen. Since then, she never looked back. Apart from being an actress, she is a trained classical dancer, who has mesmerized audience with her skills. Moreover, the actress is highly versatile and has worked in various language films with equal magnificence. Later, she even plunged in politics and has been felicitated with numerous awards for her contribution to art and cinema.

Jaya Prada was born as Lalit Rani on April 3, 1962 in Rajahmundry town of Andhra Pradesh. Her father, Shri Krishna was a Telugu film financier, while her mother Shrimati Neelavani was a house wife. She was educated at Rajalakshmi Women's College, situated in Rajahmundry, East Godavari District. At an early age, Jaya was enrolled for classical dance and music, which helped her gain entry into the world of cinema. While performing dance at school, a renowned director saw her and offered her a small role in ‘Bhoomi Kosam’. This was the beginning of her acting career in Tollywood.

Jaya Pradha’s first biggest hit was ‘Anthuleni Khatha’, directed by K Balachander, which was released in 1976. This was followed by ‘Siri Siri Muvva’, directed by K. Vishwanath, which also went onto become a blockbuster hit. The Hindi version of the movie ‘Sargam’ was also a smash hit. After this, the NT Rama Rao (NTR) starrer ‘Adavi Ramudu’ broke all box office records. Moreover, her duet with NTR 'Aaresukoboyi Paaresukunnanu' became an all-time classic hit. This gave her immense success and she claimed the no 1 slot in Tollywood.

 

Following this, she even starred in films of other languages, such as Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, Marathi, etc. She won her first Filmfare nomination for Best Actress for the film ‘Sargam’. Her next nominations came in 1984 and 1985 for Prakash Mehra’s ‘Sharaabi’ and K. Vishwanath’s ‘Sanjog’, respectively. Jaya Prada’s versatility gave her an opportunity to act with almost all the great actors in the industry like NTR, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Krishna, Shoban Babu, and Krishnam Raju, Chiranjeevi, Rajnikanth, Kamal Haasan, etc.

 

In Bollywood, Jaya Prada successfully paired up with Jeetendra, Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Rakesh Roshan and Rishi Kapoor. She even teamed well with her immediate screen rival Sridevi. Her role in Hindi film ‘Tohfaa’, released in 1984, gave her a traditional conservative image, which helped her immensely when she plunged into politics later in life. In her 30-year old career, Jaya Pradha has acted in 300 films. Since 2004, the actress has taken up mature roles.

 

Jaya Pradha entered into politics, at Shri N T Rama Rao’s invitation, in 1994. She initially joined the Telugu Desam party and later, joined Chandra Babu Naidu Group of the ruling Telugu Desam Party. She was nominated to be an MP in Rajyasabha by TDP party. Due to her differences with party Supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu, she switched over to Samajwadi Party and contested elections from Rampur parliamentary Constituency in UP, during the last General elections, in 2004. She even owns the Jaya Prada Theater in Chennai.

 

Jaya Pradha created much controversy in 1986, when she married film producer Srikanth Nahata, who was already married to Chandra and had three children. Srikanth did not divorce his first wife even after marrying Prada. The couple does not have any children, though Jaya Prada wishes to the contrary. She even announced that as Srikanth’s first wife and she cannot live without him, they have mutually agreed to share him together.

2007 - Lifetime Achievement Award (South)

1979 - Best Actress for Sargam

1984 - Best Actress for Sharaabi

1985 - Best Actress for Sanjog

2008 - Dasavathaaram

2007 - Deha, Maharadhi

2006 - Tathastu

2004 - Khakee, Ghar Grihasti

2002 - Bharat Bhagya Vidhata

2000 - Devadoothan, Shabdavedi

1999 - Kohram, Nyaydaata

1998 - Zulm-O-Sitam

1997 - Jeevan Yudh, Lav Kush, Warning

1995 - Veer, Maidan-E-Jung, Paapi Devataa

1994 - Insaniyat, Chauraha, Vivekananda

1993 - Khal-Naaikaa, Dhartiputra, Insaniyat Ke Devta, Kundan

1992 - Tyagi, Maa

1991 - Indrajeet, Farishtay, Sapnon Ka Mandir

1990 - Thanedaar, Nyay Anyay, Aaj Ka Arjun, Zakhmi Zameen

1989 - Shehzaade, Jaadugar, Elaan-E-Jung, Souten Ki Beti, Paraya Ghar, Gharana, Hum Bhi Insaan Hain, Kaanoon Ki Awaaz, Main Tera Dushman, Majboor, Maut Ki Ladai

1988 - Ganga Tere Desh Mein, Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani, Mardon Wali Baat, Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswathi, Samsaram

1987 - Sindoor, Majaal, Aulad, Vishwanatha Nayakudu

1986 - Aisa Pyaar Kahan, Pyaar Ke Do Pal, Muddat, Aakhree Raasta, Veta, Swarag Se Sunder, Simhasanam, Singhasan, Tandra Paparayudu

1985 - Sanjog, Sur Sangam, Zabardast, Pataal Bhairavi, Haqeeqat, Hoshiyar, Mera Saathi

1984 - Naya Kadam, Insaaf Kaun Karega, Tohfa, Awaaz, Dharam Aur Kanoon, Haisiyat, Maqsad, Mera Faisla, Paapi Pet Ka Sawaal Hai, Sharaabi

1983 - Mawaali, Qayamat, Puli Bebbuli, Adavi Simhalu, Amarajeevi, Kavirathna Kalidas, Main Awara Hoon, Meghasandesam, Mundadugu, Sagara Sangamam

1982 - Kaamchor, Baawri, Devatha, Dil-E-Nadaan, Ekalavya, Krishnarajunulu, Swayamvaram

1981 - 47 Natkal, Agni Poolu, Ooriki Monagadu,

1980 - Chandipriya, Circus Ramudu, Sreevari Muchatlu, Superman, Takkar

1979 - Dongalaku Saval, Ninaithale Inikkum, Rangoon Rowdy, Sargam, Shri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam

1978 - Dongalaku Donga, Yamagola

1977 - Adavi Ramudu, Andame Anandam, Chanakya Chandragupta, Kurukshetramu, Meethi Meethi Baatein, Seeta Rama Vanavasam