The trend of making pan-India films has now increased in the industry. Producers are reaping profits worth crores from this. Actors and actresses are working on a pan-India level. However in the 1980s there was an actress who had equal status in Bollywood and the South. A Star Across Industries While Nayanthara Srileela and Janhvi Kapoor are currently working in films in different languages there was another actress apart from Rekha and Sridevi who worked in both Bollywood and the South Indian film industry. She was so popular that she even tried her hand in politics and remarried the father of three children. Who is this actress? Rise to Fame This actress became a top actress in South Indian cinema in the 1980s. Her name is Jaya Prada. She appeared in over 300 films in six languages: Tamil Telugu Malayalam Kannada Hindi and Bengali. After starring in several hit films with Amitabh Bachchan Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan she retired from film and became active in politics. Early Life of Jaya Prada Jaya Prada originally from Rajahmundry Andhra Pradesh is the real name of Lalitha Rani. With a keen interest in drama and dance since her school days Lalitha Rani was invited by a Telugu director to perform a dance scene in his film which launched Jaya Pradas film career. Jaya Pradas Film Debut Through her excellent acting and beauty she established herself in Indian cinema. She made her silver screen debut in the 1974 Telugu film Bhoomi Kosam. In the film Jaya Prada performed a three-minute dance sequence and was paid only 10 rupees for this small role. However this film proved to be a turning point in her career opening her up to numerous film opportunities. Breakthrough Roles In 1976 renowned director K. Balachander gave Jaya Prada a chance to star in the Tamil film Manmath Leelai starring Kamal Haasan. Focusing on Telugu cinema Jaya Prada played the lead role opposite Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan in the 1979 Tamil film Ninaithaale Inikkum considered a classic in the history of Tamil cinema. National Recognition Jaya Prada also starred in major Tamil films such as 47 Naalkal and Dasavatharam. She gained national recognition by acting in several films in Hindi and Telugu in addition to South Indian languages. Beyond her role as an actress Jaya Prada also established a strong presence in Indian politics entering the field at the invitation of prominent actor and political leader N.T. Rama Rao (NTR). Jaya Pradas Political Journey Jaya Prada began her political career by joining the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) with N.T.R.’s support. She later left the TDP due to differences with Chandrababu Naidu joined the Samajwadi Party and was elected to the Lok Sabha. After being expelled from the Samajwadi Party she founded her own party Rajneeti Lok Manch. Later she joined the Rashtriya Lok Dal and is currently actively involved in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Personal Life Controversy Jaya Pradas personal life was also fraught with controversy. In 1987 she married prominent filmmaker Shrikant Nahata who already had a wife Chandra and three children. Shrikant Nahata married Jaya Prada without legally divorcing Chandra. This incident became a major controversy and brought considerable criticism toward Jaya Prada.