Jaya Bhaduri

Jaya Bachchan is one of the most talented and versatile senior actresses in India. The versatile actress is married to the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan. Jaya was born as Jaya Bhaduri on 9th April 1948 in Jabalpur in a Bengali Hindu family. Her parents are Indira Bhaduri and Taroon Kumar Bhaduri who was a stage artist, writer and a journalist as well. She went to St. Joseph's Convent in Bhopal. She got the Best All India N.C.C. Cadet Award on the Republic day in 1966 during the Republic Day ceremony. The brilliant actress later studied at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune. She did her graduation there and came up with a gold medal.

Jaya debuted as an actress in a supporting role with Satyajit Ray's Bengali film 'Mahanagar' with Madhabi Mukherjee and Anil Chatterjee. She was just 15 years old then. Before this, she was a part of a Bengali short film named 'Suman' and a Bengali comedy film 'Dhanni Meye'. She appeared in the film as actor Uttam Kumar's sister-in-law.

After she worked with Satyajit Ray, she got inspired to learn acting from Film and Television Institute Of India in Pune. She came up with the gold medal and was chosen to play the lead role in 'Guddi' made by film maestro Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film was a success and Jaya came into the limelight. Her 'girl next door' image created magic on the audiences. She tried to break her 'simple girl next door' image with a glamorous look in 'Jawani Diwani' where she was paired opposite Randhir Kapoor. She played a negative character , a girl faking amnesia in 'Anamika' opposite Sanjeev Kumar. Her most remembered films are 'Uphaar' ,'Parichay' ,'Piya Ka Ghar' ,'Koshish', 'Bawarchi' ,'Shor' ,'Kora Kagaz' ,'Dil Deewana' ,'Naukar' ,'Abhi To Jeelein', 'Mili' etc.

With her husband Amitabh Bachchan, she was seen in the films like 'Ek Nazar' ,'Bansi Birju' ,'Zanjeer' ,'Chupke Chupke' , 'Sholay' etc. She was expecting while shooting for 'Sholay'. After this film she took a break from the film industry to look after her children. She made a comeback with 'Silsila' in 1981 with her husband Amitabh Bachchan. This film was also a hit. In 1980, she wrote the story for Amitabh Bachchan's blockbuster 'Shahenshah'.

To raise her children well, the talented actress sacrificed her booming career and she took a long gap of 18 years. She made a comeback with 'Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa' in 1998 , a film by Govind Nihalani. The film was based on Naxalite movement. In 2002, she was seen in 'Fiza' in a supporting role. She has won the Filmfare award for her performance in this film. Jaya was next seen in Karan Johar's emotional family drama 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' in 2001. She appeared as Preity Zinta's mother Jennifer in Nikhil Advani's 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' in 2003. This time as well, she came up as a winner of the Filmfare's Best Supporting actress award.

In 2007, she was seen playing the character of Rani Mukherjee's mother in 'Laaga Chunari Mein Daag'. In this film, she was seen with her son Abhishek Bachchan. In 2011, Jaya starred in a Bangladeshi film called 'Meherjaan' which was based on Pakistan-Bangladesh love story in the background of 1971 Bangladesh violence. She was also seen in 'Drona' as Queen Jayanti and 'Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe' as Mansi Devi.

Jaya is a member of Parliament representing Rajya Sabha since many years. She was elected as Samajwadi Party member. She got married to the acting legend Amitabh Bachchan on 3rd June 1973. They have two children Shweta and Abhishek. Shweta is married to Delhi based industrialist Nikhil Nanda and they have two children Navya Naveli and Agastya. While, Abhishek Bachchan is married to Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai and they have a daughter named Aaradhya.

Jaya who is recognized for her naturalistic way of acting in every film has been honored with many awards. Jaya has been nominated for the best actress award for several times. She has won six competitive Filmfare Awards as a best actress and best supporting actress. This makes her most awarded performer in the female actor category along with legendary actress Nutan. She has been awarded with Filmfare's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. She has also received the Padma Shri award from the Government of India.