Little known facts on Jaya Prada

Little known facts on
Jaya Prada

Mid-90s, saw Jaya Prada bidding adieu to acting to embrace politics. She first entered politics through the Telugu Desam Party, before switching over to the Samajwadi Party, and later joining the Rashtriya Lok Dal Party. Since 2019, she has been part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and was Member of Parliament in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

She was associated with Malayalam Cinema and her name is etched in history through her memorable portrayal as Angelina Ignatious aka Aleena in Devadoothan.

The music for the film, composed by the versatile Vidyasagar, matched the aura of her presence on screen. Had any other actor played the role of Angelina Ignatius, the film might not have had the same emotional impact on audiences.

Jaya Prada’s portrayal of Aleena elevated the film, becoming one of the defining roles of her career in Malayalam cinema. The soul of Devadoothanlay in its music, but its life was in Jaya Prada’s performance.

Jaya Prada made her Malayalam debut in the 1985 film Iniyum Kadha Thudarum by Joshiy. In this film, she played a role that ended in the tragic suicide of her character—a stark contrast to her usual roles but one that garnered attention for her acting prowess. The film also starred Mammootty, Ambika, Thilakan, and Shalini. Her portrayal of a tragic character made an impression in Malayalam cinema, and the film received significant attention.
After a hiatus of 15 years, she returned to Malayalam cinema with Devadoothanin 2000. Despite the film’s initial box office failure, it gained recognition on television, where it was embraced by viewers, ultimately earning a place in the hearts of audiences. In a sense, the Malayalam audience’s delayed acceptance of this classic film was a form of atonement for not appreciating it earlier. The film emerged as a hit in theatres upon its rerelease in 2024.

News Edit KV Raman