Actress Jayaprada Political Live Interview
Eighties star Jayaprada, who has done several dancing roles in Bollywood from Sargam (1979) to Sur Sangam (1985), is making a comeback as an Odissi dancer in the Indo-Chinese venture The Desire, starring Shilpa Shetty. The actor from the South, who was once called ‘the most beautiful face on the Indian screen’ by celebrated filmmaker Satyajit Ray, still lives up to the compliment.
Excerpts from an interview:
You look prettier than before. What’s the secret?
It’s thanks to people’s love and God’s blessings (laughs). People still call me ‘Daflivaali’ and ‘Meena’ from Sharabi.
Who among your contemporaries do you think have aged as beautifully?
Hema Malini, who is my senior, has aged very gracefully. Among my contemporaries, only Sridevi is there; but she is not actively involved in films these days.
Who do you think among the new actresses has the same grace as a dancer?
Among the new girls, Deepika Padukone is a good classical dancer; her body language is graceful.
What prompted you to make a comeback with The Desire?
The fact that I play a meaningful character in the film. I play the central role of a dance guru. She is an Odissi dancer and Shilpa’s mother. A self-respecting woman, she is devoted to art. I was waiting for a role that would excite me as an actress. Sharatji is a sensitive director. I want to do only meaningful films in future.
How difficult was it to learn Odissi?
Odissi is an entirely different dance form. Being a Bharatanatyam dancer, it was difficult to adapt myself to it. I underwent rigorous training to learn it.
Earlier, we would see Sridevi and you competing as dancers in films and now it will be Shilpa Shetty and you.
In the early days of my career, people would often compare me with Sridevi because both of us were good dancers. People would call us rivals who refused to talk to each other (laughs). But on screen, we looked great together. There is a beautiful dance competition between Shilpa and me in The Desire, which is a highpoint of the film.
It’s the first Indo-Chinese venture. What do you think of such collaborations?
More projects like this are welcome. The Desire will be a good film to showcase our culture. Odissi is known to the world audience. I have proved myself in Bollywood; now I want to do a Hollywood film. But I am waiting for the right film and the right role.
You are an actress, politician and own a production house. How do you manage all this?
I’ve always believed there is no tomorrow and I’ve to do everything today. Films and dance are my passions but politics is a path to serve people. Being in politics doesn’t mean I have to give up my passion. Films gave me an identity. I have acted in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Bengali films. And I might do an English film in future. You never know (laughs).
Were film directors apprehensive about approaching you after you became a politician?
Directors hesitated to approach me as they thought I might cancel their shoot because of my political involvement. That’s a myth. Even at the peak of my political career, I never neglected films. I am a thorough professional and know a producer’s pain.
Have you signed any other Bollywood films besides The Desire?
I am doing a film with Buddhadev Dasgupta and another with Murugadoss. I’ll start working on the films after the elections.
After all these years of stardom, what do you still desire?
I want to look beautiful and the best on screen — that’s my desire.
About This Post
I lived in Rajahmundry for a long time. I know the life history of Jayapradha. She was born to a rich Padmashali by name Ravanam Sriramulu and to Smt Puvvula Govindamma, and not as stated in all otrher places. It is my uncle Sri Kasi Viswanatham who conducted the namakarna function to baby Jayapradha. As per the time of birth, place of birth and date of birth, she was named ‘Lalitha Rani;, an excellent name suitable for all castes and communities of Hindus. This is for the information of all who refer to this page.