Heroine Who Worked For Just 10 Rupees Shocks Industry

Senior actress Jaya Prada, a name that later ruled screens across languages, began with just 10 rupees in hand. Her first role came in the 1974 Telugu film Bhoomi. It was a minor appearance, nothing close to the stardom she would taste later. She never even asked for payment, but the makers slipped her ten rupees as a token. That small note marked the start of one of the most glittering careers in Indian cinema.

She never dreamed of becoming an actress. Medicine was her goal, but cinema pulled her in. Within a short time, she turned into a leading lady, acting alongside Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Dharmendra. The girl who walked into films by chance ended up as one of the highest-paid heroines of her time. From 10 rupees to lakhs, the climb was nothing short of dramatic.

Her journey was not without fire. The industry often spoke of her cold war with Sridevi. Both dominated the same era, both demanded top billing, and both refused to back down. There were films where Jaya Prada’s paycheck overtook Sridevi’s, proving her pull with producers and audiences. That rivalry became as famous as their films.

Her personal life carried its share of headlines, too. Like Sridevi, who married Boney Kapoor, Jaya Prada also married a man who was already married, producer Srikanth Nahata. The move stirred controversy, but she stood firm and continued her career. From a ten-rupee token to the throne of stardom, Jaya Prada’s story shows how fate can rewrite dreams in ways no scriptwriter could imagine.