Jayapradha'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]. Jayapradha'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
Jayapradha 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.
