Jaya Sudha

Jayasudha Kapoor (born Sujatha Nidudavolu) is an Indian actress and politician known for her works predominantly in Telugu cinema. She has also worked in few Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi films. Known as natural actress, she received five state Nandi Awards for her acting in works such as '' Jyothi'' (1976), ''Idi Katha Kaadu'' (1979), '' Premabhishekam'' (1981), ''Meghasandesam'' (1982), and ''Dharmaatmudu'' (1983).

She has garnered five Filmfare Awards South, for her performances in '' Jyothi'' (1976), ''Aame Katha'' (1977), ''Gruha Pravesam'' (1982), ''Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi'' (2004), and ''Kotha Bangaru Lokam'' (2008). In 2008, she received the ANR National Award, and in 2010, she won the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award - South for her contributions to Indian cinema. Jayasudha served as Member, Legislative Assembly, from Secunderabad constituency during 2009-2014 in the erstwhile combined Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Early and Personal life

Jayasudha was born as Sujatha Nidudavolu in Madras, Tamil Nadu on 17 December 1958 to a Telugu-speaking family of Nidudavolu Rameshwara Rao, and actress Joga Bai known for films such as ''Balanandam'' (1954), and ''Kalahasti Mahatyam'' (1954). Telugu film actress and director Vijaya Nirmala is the first cousin of her father. Jayasudha's paternal grandfather is eminent scholar and literary historian, Nidudavolu Venkatarao. Her first marriage was to film producer Vadde Ramesh. However, the marriage ended in divorce. She then married Nitin Kapoor, cousin to actor Jeetendra, in 1985 and they have two children, sons Nihar (born in 1986) and Shreayan (born in 1990).

She was elected as MLA from the Secunderabad constituency in 2009 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections from Indian National Congress.She later joined the Telugu Desam Party in 2016.Later in 2019 she quit the Telugu Desam Party and joined YSR Congress Party.

Career

Jayasudha made her film debut when she was twelve years old with the Telugu film ''Pandanti Kapuram'' (1972). Director K. Balachander gave her a small role in the Tamil film '' Arangetram'' where she shared space with Kamal Haasan. She acted in a number of films in Telugu and Tamil mostly under Balachander's direction—''Sollathaan Ninaikkiren'' (1973), '' Naan Avanillai'' (1974) and ''Apoorva Raagangal'' and in Idi Katha Kaadu with Chiranjeevi. She also changed her name to Jayasudha, since there was already another actress named Sujatha. Her fame quickly spread, where Telugu film producers were offering her good film roles.

While her debut role as heroine in the Telugu film ''Lakshmana Rekha'' (1975) got her attention, it was really the title role in '' Jyothi'' (remake of the Hindi film Mili starring Jaya Bhaduri) that made her a big star in Telugu films. She was now called a successor to the great Telugu actress Savitri and performed many strong roles and showed excellent range.
She is given the title "Sahaja Nati" which means "natural/realistic actress."

Her roles varied from the cute looking teeny bopper who wore minis in ''Nomu'' (1974), to that of a tortured wife of a sadist husband in K. Balachander's film ''Idi Katha Kaadu'' (1979) to that of a comedian who discovers that her husband wants to murder her for her wealth in ''Money'' (1993). She performed showy roles in Telugu remakes of Hindi films, such as ''Yugandhar'' (1979) (the fighter role that Zeenat Aman originated in Don), ''Illalu'' (Reena Roy's dark-shaded role from ''Apnapan'' (1977)).

In commercial cinema, she received a huge break when she starred in '' Adavi Ramudu'' (1977), which broke box office records. She also showed innovativeness and lack of vanity in original Telugu films like '' Premabhishekam'' (1981) where she played a supporting role as a deglamorised prostitute, while Sridevi played the female lead.
She has acted in 300 plus feature films in a variety of roles, and in one year, she had 24 film releases.

Awards

;Filmfare Awards South
* Filmfare Best Actress Award (Telugu) – '' Jyothi'' (1976)
* Filmfare Best Actress Award (Telugu) – ''Aame Katha'' (1977)
* Filmfare Best Actress Award (Telugu) – ''Grihapravesam'' (1982)
* Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award (Telugu) – ''Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi'' (2004)
* Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award (Telugu) – ''Kotha Bangaru Lokam'' (2008)
* Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award - South (2010)

;Nandi Awards
* Nandi Award for Best Actress – '' Jyothi'' (1976)
* Nandi Award for Best Actress – ''Idi Katha Kaadu'' (1979)
* Nandi Award for Best Actress – '' Premabhishekam'' (1981)
* Nandi Award for Best Actress – ''Meghasandesam'' (1982)
* Nandi Award for Best Actress – ''Dharmaatmudu'' (1983)

;Other Awards
* Kalasagar Award for Best Actress – ''Meghasandesam'' (1982)
* Pride of Indian Cinema Award (2007)
* Andhra Pradesh Cinegoer's Association – Lifetime Achievement Award (2008)
* ANR National Award (2008)

Selected filmography

Telugu

* '' Pratibimbalu'' (2022)
* ''Brahmotsavam'' (2016)
* ''Oopiri'' (2016)
* ''Govindudu Andarivadele'' (2014)
* '' Rowdy'' (2014)
* ''Yevadu'' (2014)
* ''Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu'' (2013)
* ''Sarocharu'' (2012)
* '' Adhinayakudu'' (2012)
* '' Devudu Chesina Manushulu'' (2012)
* ''Daruvu'' (2012)
* ''Solo'' (2011)
* ''Kalavaramaye Madilo'' (2010)
* ''Kotha Bangaru Lokam'' (2008)
* ''Kalidasu'' (2008)
* '' Raksha'' (2008)
* ''Parugu'' (2008)
* ''Vijaya Dasami'' (2007)
* ''Photo''
* ''Bommarillu'' (2006)
* ''Style'' (2006)
* ''Balu ABCDEFG'' (2005)
* ''Vishnu'' (2003)
* ''Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi'' (2003)
* '' Fools'' (2003)
* '' Ammaye Navvithe'' (2001)
* '' Chinna'' (2001)
* ''Kante Koothurne Kanu'' (2000)
* ''Yuvakudu'' (2000)
* ''Rayalaseema Ramanna Chowdary''
* ''Daddy Daddy'' (1998)
* '' Akka Bagunnava'' (1996)
* '' Deyyam'' (1996)
* '' Money Money'' (1995)
* ''Rikshavodu'' (1995)
* ''Bangaru Kutumbam''(1994)
* ''Shrinatha Kavi Sarvabhowma''(1993)
* '' Inspector Jhansi'' (1993)
* '' Akka Pettanam Chelleli Kapuram'' (1993)
* ''Money'' (1993)
* '' Aunty''
* '' Pellala Rajyam''
* ''Thodi Kodallu''
* '' Repati koduku''
* '' Chillara Mogudu Allari Koduku''
* '' Aasthi mooredu aasa baaredu''
* '' Jeevitha khaidi''
* '' Doragaariki Donga pellam'' (Guest Appearance)
* ''Kalikalam''
* '' Vijay'' (1989)
* '' Naa Mogudu Naake Sontham'' (1989)
* ''Ontari Poratam'' (1989)
* '' Raogari Illu'' (1988)
* '' Bharyabhartala Bandam'' (1988)
* '' Kanchana Seeta'' (1988)
* ''Sardar Dharmanna'' (1987)
* '' Aatma Bandhuvulu'' (1987)
* '' Magadheerudu'' (1986)
* '' Aadi Dampathulu'' (1986)
* '' Dharma Peetam Daddarillindi'' (1986)
* '' Muddula Manavaraalu'' (1986)
* '' Tandra Paparayudu'' (1986)
* '' Andarikante Monagadu'' (1985)
* '' Edadugula Bandham'' (1985)
* '' Maha Sangramam'' (1985)
* ''Mangalya Balam'' (1985)
* '' Palnati Simham'' (1985)
* '' Thirugubatu'' (1985)
* '' Bharatamlo Sankharavam'' (1984)
* '' Bharyamani'' (1984)
* ''Bobbili Brahmanna'' (1984)
* '' Dandayatra'' (1984)
* '' Iddaru Dongalu'' (1984)
* ''Jagan'' (1984)
* '' Yuddham'' (1984)
* ''Zakhmi Sher'' (1984)
* '' Trisulam'' (1983)
* '' Amayakudu Kadhu Asadhyudu'' (1983)
* '' Lanke Bindelu'' (1983)
* ''Meghasandesam'' (1983)
* '' Poratham'' (1983)
* '' Raj Kumar'' (1983)
* ''Ramudu Kadu Krishnudu'' (1983)
* ''Gruha Pravesam'' (1982)
* '' Anuraga Devatha'' (1982)
* ''Madhura Swapnam'' (1982)
* ''Naa Desam'' (1982)
* '' Nipputho Chelagatam'' (1982)
* '' Raga Deepam'' (1982)
* '' Yuvaraju'' (1982)
* '' Aadavallu Meeku Joharulu'' (1981)
* '' Agni Poolu'' (1981)
* ''Illalu'' (1981)
* '' Premabhishekam'' (1981)
* ''Prema Tarangalu'' (1980)
* '' Edantastulameda'' (1980)
* '' Gajadonga'' (1980)
* ''Gopala Krishnudu'' (1980)
* '' Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi'' (1980)
* '' Sreevari Muchatlu'' (1980)
* ''Idi Katha Kaadu'' (1979)
* ''Andamaina Anubhavam'' (1979)
* ''Driver Ramudu'' (1979)
* '' Intinti Ramayanam'' (1979)
* '' Judagadu'' (1979)
* '' Kalyani'' (1979)
* '' Mande Gundelu'' (1979)
* '' Muddula Koduku'' (1979)
* '' Shivamettina Satyam'' (1979)
* '' Shri Tirupati Venkateswara Kalyanam'' (1979) .... Goddess Lakshmi
* ''Yugandhar'' (1979)
* ''Vichitra Jeevitham'' (1978)
* '' Pranam Kareedu'' (1978)
* '' Kalanthakulu'' (1978)
* '' Katakatala Rudraiah'' (1978)
* '' KD No. 1'' (1978)
* '' Lawyer Vishwanath'' (1978)
* ''Sivaranjani'' (1978)
* '' Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi'' (1978)
* ''MallePuvvu'' (1978)
* ''Aame Katha'' (1977)
* '' Adavi Ramudu'' (1977)
* '' Amaradeepam'' (1977)
* '' Gadasu Pillodu'' (1977)
* '' Gadusu Ammayi'' (1977)
* '' Premalekhalu'' (1977)
* '' Jyothi'' (1976)
* '' Alludochhadu'' (1976)
* '' Mangalyaniki Maromudi'' (1976)
* '' Monagadu'' (1976)
* '' Raju Vedale'' (1976)
* '' Soggadu'' (1975)
* '' Tirapathi'' (1974)
* ''Pandanti Kapuram'' (1972)

Tamil

* '' Kula Gouravam'' (1972)
* ''Sollathaan Ninaikkiren'' (1973)
* ''Petha Manam Pithu'' (1973)
* ''Bharatha Vilas'' (1973)
* '' Arangetram'' (1973)
* ''Baghdad Perazhagi'' (1973)
* '' Vellikhizhamai Viratham'' (1974)
* '' Prayachittham'' (1974)
* ''Dheerga Sumangali'' (1974)
* '' Pandhattam'' (1974)
* '' Nanna Avanillai'' (1974)
* '' Sisubalan'' (1974)
* '' Aayirathil Oruthi'' (1975)
* ''Apoorva Raagangal'' (1975)
* ''Mannavan Vanthaanadi'' (1975)
* '' Thangathile Vairam'' (1975)
* ''Melnaattu Marumagal'' (1975)
* '' Pattikkaattu Raja'' (1975)
* '' Maharasi Vazhga'' (1976)
* '' Athirshtam Azhaikirathu'' (1976)
* '' Vaazhkai Alaigal '' (1978)
* '' Pattakkathi Bhairavan'' (1979)
* '' Ninaithale Inikkum'' (1979)
* '' Pandiyan'' (1992)
* '' Rajadurai'' (1993)
* ''Anthimanthaarai'' (1996)
* ''Alaipayuthey'' (2000)
* ''Thavasi'' (2001)
* ''1977'' (2009)
* '' Thozha'' (2016)
* ''Chekka Chivantha Vaanam'' (2018)
* ''Varisu'' (2023)

Malayalam

* '' Rasaleela'' (1975)
* ''Thiruvonam'' (1975)
* ''Romeo'' (1976)
* ''Mohiniyattam'' (1976)
* '' Shivathandavam'' (1977)
* ''Sivaranjani'' (1978)
* '' Priyadarshini'' (1978)
* ''Jeevikkan Padikkanam'' (1981)
* ''Sarovaram'' (1993)
* '' Ishtam'' (2001)

Hindi

* '' Aaina'' (1977)
* '' Shabhash Daddy'' (1979)
* ''Sooryavansham'' (1999) (as Jaya Kapoor)

Kannada

*'' Nee Thanda Kanike'' (1985)
*''Thayiya Madilu'' (2007)
*''Vajrakaya'' (2015)

As producer

* ''Kanchana Sita'' (1987)
* ''Kalikalam'' (1990)
* ''Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai'' (1990)
* ''Adrustam'' (1992)
* ''Vinta Kodallu'' (1993)
* ''Hands Up'' (1999)

References

External links

*

{{FilmfareLifetimeAchievementAwardSouth

Living people
Telugu people
Indian film actresses
Telugu actresses
1958 births
Politicians from Hyderabad, India
Indian former Hindus
Indian actor-politicians
Actresses in Tamil cinema
Actresses in Kannada cinema
Actresses in Hindi cinema
Actresses in Malayalam cinema
Filmfare Awards South winners
Nandi Award winners
Converts to Christianity from Hinduism
Indian National Congress politicians from Andhra Pradesh
Members of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Indian child actresses
Actresses from Chennai
People from Secunderabad