Once India's highest-paid actresses, worked with Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra, Rajesh Khanna, was called other woman, left acting to become…, her name is…

India.com

18-05-2025

Actress of the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, has left a mark on the audience's mind that these stars are till date cited as an example for actresses who are working in Indian cinema today. Actresses like Sridevi, Rekha, Meenakshi Sheshadri, Padmini Kolhapure and more are till date hailed by the audience even now. Today, we will talk about another actress from the same era, who made fans go gaga over her. Every time she appeared on screen, the screams and hoots in a theater hall never stopped.
This actress has worked with Amitabh Bachchan and Jeetendra. After giving hits in Bollywood, this actress became directors' number 1 choice. Not just that, she also topped the chart by becoming the highest paid actress of her time. If you are wondering which actress we are discussing about, then let us tell you she is Jaya Prada.
Jaya Prada entered the world of acting at a very young age. She came in front of the camera at the age of 14, when she took part in a dance competition for her school. Little did this girl know that one day she would become a superstar.
Born in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, Jaya Prada's real name was Lalita Rani. Her father was a film financier and mother a housewife. Jaya practiced dance as a trained classical dancer. When she performed in a school function, a director offered her a three-minute dance scene in the Telugu film Bhoomi Kosam, and from there Jaya's journey in the film industry started.
Jaya Prada worked in nearly 300 films during her acting career. She has shared screen with actors like Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Amitabh Bachchan, and India's first superstar Rajesh Khanna.
When Jaya Prada was seen in the film Tohfa, every director-producer wanted to sign her. Her songs like Tohfa Tohfa, De De Pyar De, Hum To Chale Pardes became superhits. In the 1980s, she became the highest paid actress.
Jaya Prada shared a close bond with Shrikant Nahata. When Jaya was going through a tough phase in her life, it was Shrikant who supported her. Slowly they became very close and fell in love. At this point, Shrikant Nahata was already married and also the father of three children. Jaya was called the other woman, but the two did not give up on each other and got married in 1986, but the surprising thing was that Shrikant did not divorce his first wife.
Jaya left Bollywood and joined Bharatiya Janata Party.