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Jayaprada's classic features, a flawless peach complexion and incredible nose
coupled with a quiet aristocratic demeanor made her a favorite star of 1980s
Indian Popular Cinema. Primarily a Telugu actress Jayapradha began acting at the
age of 14 and was a star in that film industry before she tried the break into
Bollywood. Jayapradha burst into Hindi films in the early 1980s about the same
time as Sridevi, her 'South Films' compatriot. They actually co-stared together
in a half dozen films where Jayapradha often played the older sister to the
younger Sridevi.
Her breakthrough performance in Hindi Cinema came opposite Rishi Kapoor in
"Sargam" [1979]. Jayaprada's portrayal of a mute who is in love with dancing
(and Rishi Kapoor) connected with the public and was a big hit. The film is a
classic of late 70s and early 80s Bollywood.
During the 80s Jayaprada had a successful film couple pairing with Jeetendra.
They churned out a number of masala tear jerkers that portrayed her in film
after film as the tough, dutiful and all-enduring wife. These films endeared
Jayaprada to the traditional conservative section of filmgoers. It was an image
that would serve her well when she started a new career as a politician.
Actress-turned-politician Jayaprada, has decided to don the director’s robes,
says the grapevine. The statuesque Telugu Desam Party MP will wield the
megaphone for the film titled Class Medal. The southern stunner herself has
written the story of the movie, which will star her nephew Siddharth, Reema Sen
and Diya Mirza in lead roles. Beauty queen Yukta Mookey will also do an
important role in the film, which is being produced by Jayadprada’s brother,
Rajababu, under the banner of Jayaprada Productions.
Jayaprada has acted in more than 275 films in six languages. Among her most
famous films are Sargam, Aakhri Raasta, Tohfa and Swarg Se Sundar.
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