AN EXCLUSIVE WITH THE ACTOR-POLITICIAN ON HER MEMOIRS OF REEL TO REAL LIFE
“There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise”
-W.E.B Dubois
Born to parents Neelaveni Rao and Krishna Rao as Lalita Rani, this actor-politician from Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh is the epitome of breathtaking beauty and resounding success. The great maestro Satyajit Ray is known to have described her as the ‘most beautiful face on the Indian screen.’
Having set off for a career in tinsel town at the age of 13, Jaya Prada was reigning star of the Telugu film industry by the age of 14. A larger than life personality, she has travelled far and wide through the three long decades of her film career courting fame and controversies in equal measure. Despite the odds that have been stacked up against her several times, this is one woman who has brushed the dust of her shoulders to rise up from the ashes like a phoenix with much elan, every time people have written her off.
In a conversation with FWD Media is this very successful woman, an inspiration for several like her in the country opening up about her journey from stardom to the corridors of power.
Jaya Prada the actor and then the politician; not to mention the controversies. But nobody has portrayed the successful woman in you – everybody has portrayed Jaya Prada as an actor, politician and the controversies. Nobody has shown the woman who has handled the ups and downs; successes and failures head-on. Walk us through this journey of yours as a woman apart from an actor, as a person who has wept, who have had their own share of agonies, anxieties and success.
Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity and a wonderful platform to speak. A platform which is very close to Keralites, all over India and across the globe. I think it is a great moment for me to speak like an ordinary person about my journey as someone who has travelled from the age of 13 to the three decades of my successful career. Basically, at the heart of things, I am a woman, a dependent, so it feels nice to be given this occasion to speak from the heart and to share my experiences.
In my experience, success is essential for every human being, particularly if you are a woman. Because we live in a male-dominated community. Sorry to say so, but it is the hard truth. I was a simple, inexperienced girl who knew nothing about the ways of the world when I started my career in films – a teenager from a village in Andhra Pradesh who used to love to go and sit by the banks of the river Godavari to watch the river flow by. But deep within I always aspired to become someone who could serve society and contribute in some way.
“In my experience, success is essential for every human being, particularly if you are a woman.”
Right from the beginning, I was a very naive and introverted girl who would converse very little. If anyone attempted a conversation and even spoke 10 lines to me I would reply with just one. I had no dreams, like others who would say I want to become a star or a cricketer. I always had a great sense of social commitment in me and always wanted to be in some position where I could reach out to people and help them. I didn’t know at that point how I would do it. But one fine day luck was at my door.
How did you get into films?
[Laughing] So, as you know, I was very passionate about dance and was performing at the school’s annual day function. It was there that I was first spotted by one of my producers. I would clearly say that it was pure coincidence that they should be there that day and also that I had a dance show on that very day. They were impressed by my dance show and they spoke to my uncle first. I was not serious and when I was asked to do two, three shots I didn’t think much of it. I just did them and came back. Looking back, it was the most special three minutes of my life which gave me a great journey of three decades.
Any regrets? Anything you wish would have been different?
[Pauses] I don’t know, definitely I would be lying if I say I don’t miss my schooling. I miss my schooling and my college friends and the whole atmosphere of growing as a normal girl. But yes, success and honour came to me very early – by the age of 14 and 16, I was a star already. But what a normal teenager experiences with his or her schoolmates or classmates, I miss it.
Yes, success came early. By the age of 14 and 16, you were already a successful star. How did you handle it?
[Pauses] Indescribable. Perhaps, I honestly don’t know to express that feeling. Today, if a film runs for three days in the box office, it is a huge hit. Whereas back in my time, I used to have films running for a year in theatres and I used to feel so thrilled, and think, “Ohhh…It is my picture, it’s running for one year?” My first Bollywood film Sargam – it released in Bombay. That’s when Raj Kapoor sir saw one of my songs and he said, “Jaya you will become a very big star, you have done very well.’’ I was very surprised to hear that because someone whom we all have admired in films and here he was, sitting next to me and talking to me about my film. In fact, that same day, around midnight, I took my brother and went all around Bombay to see the posters and banners of my film [laughing]. It is a unique feeling which is quite difficult to put in words. That was a very special moment for me.
You were at the peak of your career when you turned your attention to politics. What made you switch to politics? Was it N. T. Rama Rao, who at that time was also your co-actor?
I think it was a mistake that I made. I was very comfortable in the film industry because I was a star and when you are a star you get coddled by the industry. They never questioned me and gave me anything I would ask for, they gave me unconditional love. Even my supporters and people, they have all given me so much appreciation and help, that was the reason I could travel successfully on my journey to complete 300 films. My identity was as an actor. But politics is a different story. I have to think twice and decide the dos and don’ts. It is a very intricate job for an artist to be a politician.
What is your take on what is happening in the country today? What more should we be doing on the women empowerment front?
The day when the 33% reservation becomes a reality, we can state that we have achieved something. That will be the day women can hope for protection of their interests from the political side. All leaders should come to an accord over it and the bill should be passed. I feel it should happen. I believe Modi Ji will positively do something; he has done an incredible job with GST and triple talaq. I appreciate him for that. Decision-making process is much faster now and that’s the kind of Prime Minister we require. Doesn’t matter which party I am; I appreciate him.
Given a choice how would you like to be remembered? Actor-politician, businesswoman or leader?
All in one. Most importantly, I need people to remember me as a generous human being.
Interview: Mathew Antony
Text: Hazel Austin
Photos: Jinson Abraham
Styling: Varunesh Pal
Makeup & Hair: Shraddha Mishra
Costumes: Sherly Regimon, Milan Design, Kochi
Jewellery: Tanishq
Accessories: Nidhi Bhandari & Aquamarine
Retouch: Jemini Ghosh
MarCom: Alisha Moosa
Location: The Lalit, Mumbai
(This is an excerpt of the cover story of the Sept-Oct, 2017 issue of FWD Business Magazine. The full interview is available on our digital version available at Magzster.com)