Mumbai, April 3: In the 1980s, two leading actresses ruled Hindi cinema, captivating audiences with their portrayals of devoted sisters. However, in real life, they barely exchanged a word. We are talking about Jaya Prada and Sridevi. Both transitioned from South Indian cinema to Bollywood, but their fierce competition led to a 25-year-long cold war. Today, we reflect on their rivalry as Jaya Prada celebrates her 64th birthday.
Jaya Prada never intended to enter the film industry, but fate had other plans. At just 14, she landed her first Telugu film, “Bhoomikosam,” which featured a mere three-minute role and a dance number. She later ventured into Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films before making her Hindi cinema debut with “Sargam.” This initial film was particularly challenging as she had no dialogues, portraying a mute dancer named Hema.
Her debut was a success, and she quickly established herself as a leading actress with a string of hits. However, as she worked alongside stars like Jeetendra, Amitabh Bachchan, and Govinda, the competition for the top spot between Jaya Prada and Sridevi intensified. The two actresses appeared in eight films together, often portraying sisters or friends. Despite their on-screen camaraderie, they maintained a distance on set, rarely speaking to each other.
Jaya Prada and Sridevi shared the screen in films like “Tohfa,” “Maqsad,” and “Mawali.” Their rivalry extended to everything from costumes to jewelry, creating a competitive atmosphere. During dance sequences, both showcased their classical dance skills, further enhancing the film’s appeal. Their cold war even led co-stars like Jeetendra and Rajesh Khanna to attempt reconciliation by locking them in the same makeup room for an hour. When the door finally opened, they were still seated at opposite corners, silent.
Jaya Prada later acknowledged that both actresses maintained a professional demeanor on set, but the desire to be the number one actress in Hindi cinema fueled their rivalry. In 2015, Jaya Prada took the initiative to end their cold war by inviting Sridevi to her son’s reception. The two posed for photos together, signaling a reconciliation in front of the media.
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P.S./ABM
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