Jaya Prada Biography: Age, Movies, Political Career, Net Worth, Husband, Children, Films, Awards

Lalitha Rani Rao, popularly known as Jaya Prada, is a celebrated Indian actress and politician who rose to prominence in Telugu and Hindi cinema, as well as Tamil films, from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, earning three Filmfare Awards South and appearing in over 150 films across various languages.

Transitioning to politics in 1994 with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), she served in the Rajya Sabha representing Andhra Pradesh (1996–2002) and later in the Lok Sabha from Rampur, Uttar Pradesh (2004–2014).

Over her political career, she has been associated with several parties including the TDP, Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal, and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2019.

Profile

• Full Name: Lalitha Rani Rao
• Stage Name: Jaya Prada
• Born: 3 April 1962
• Age: 63 years old
• Birthplace: Rajamahendravaram, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Occupation: Indian actress and politician
• Height: 1.65m
• Parent: Krishna Rao and Neelavani Roa
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Shrikant Nahata (m. 1986)
• Children: Siddhu
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $3.5 million

Early Life And Education

Lalitha Rani Rao was born on April 3, 1962, in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India. Her father, Krishna Rao, was a financier in the Telugu film industry, while her mother, Neelavani, was a homemaker.

She grew up as an only child with no siblings. Jaya Prada received her early education at a Telugu medium school in Rajahmundry and was trained in dance and music from a young age. She completed her schooling up to the 12th standard and briefly enrolled in the B.Com program at Rajlakshmi Women’s College in Rajahmundry but discontinued her studies during the first year to focus on her burgeoning film career.

She belongs to South Indian ethnicity and practices Hinduism.

Career

Jaya Prada began her film career in the mid-1970s with acclaimed Telugu films such as Anthuleni Katha and Siri Siri Muvva (both 1976), the latter earning her a Filmfare Special Award and establishing her as a gifted actress and classical dancer. Her performances alongside leading actors like N.T. Rama Rao and Krishna made her a prominent figure in Telugu cinema.

She later ventured into Tamil films with successes like Ninaithale Inikkum (1979) and made her Hindi film debut with Sargam (1979), a remake of Siri Siri Muvva, which garnered her a Filmfare nomination despite her limited Hindi proficiency at the time.

By the 1980s, after mastering Hindi, Jaya Prada became a major star in Bollywood, with acclaimed roles in films like Kaamchor (1982), Sharaabi (1984), and Sanjog (1985). She received multiple Filmfare Best Actress nominations and won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu for Saagara Sangamam (1983), a milestone in her career.

Her graceful presence and acting range led to a prolific career spanning over 150 films across various languages, including Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, and Marathi. She worked with iconic directors such as K. Vishwanath and K. Balachander and received numerous accolades, including three Filmfare Awards South and lifetime achievement honors.

In 1994, Jaya Prada shifted focus to politics, joining the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). She served in the Rajya Sabha from 1996 to 2002 representing Andhra Pradesh and was later elected to the Lok Sabha from Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, serving two terms from 2004 to 2014.

Over her political career, she was affiliated with several parties, including the TDP, Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal, and eventually the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2019. Celebrated as both a film icon and a public servant, Jaya Prada’s legacy is marked by her contributions to Indian cinema and her active engagement in national politics.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @jayapradaofficial

Personal Life

Jaya Prada married film producer Srikanth Nahata on February 22, 1986. Though the couple did not have biological children, she adopted her sister’s son, Siddhu, whom she raised as her own and who later pursued a career in the film industry.

Jaya Prada currently resides with her adopted son and continues to remain active in politics.

Filmography

• Anthuleni Katha (1976)
• Siri Siri Muvva (1976)
• Sita Kalyanam (1976)
• Adavi Ramudu (1977)
• Yamagola (1977)
• Lok Parlok (1979)
• Ooriki Monagadu (1981)
• Kaamchor (1982)
• Kaviratna Kalidasa (1983)
• Sindoor (1987)
• Samsaram (1988)
• Elaan-E-Jung (1989)
• Aaj Ka Arjun (1990)
• Habba (1999)
• Shabdavedhi (2000)
• Devadoothan (2000)
• Ee Bandhana (2007)
• Pranayam (2011)
• Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna (2012)
• Rajjo (2013)
• Love @ 65 (2024)

Net Worth

Jaya Prada’s net worth is estimated at approximately Rs. 27.92 crore (around 3.5 million USD), accumulated through a prolific film career spanning over four decades—during which she was among the highest-paid actresses in the 1980s—as well as her tenure in politics as a Member of Parliament. She also owns a theatre in Chennai, contributing to her overall income.