Jaya Prada Reveals Rivalry with Sridevi: 'We Never Spoke'

Jaya Prada recently reflected on her professional relationship with the late Sridevi, describing a competitive dynamic rather than a personal friendship. Despite sharing the screen in many successful films during the 1980s, including 'Tohfa' and 'Maqsad', the two actresses reportedly rarely interacted off-camera.

Prada recalled that they never even made eye contact, with directors often having to introduce them on set. Their rivalry extended to their appearances and performances, as they both vied for top positions in the industry. This professional distance persisted throughout their careers.

An amusing anecdote shared by Prada involved veteran actors Jeetendra and Rajesh Khanna attempting to break the ice. They once locked Prada and Sridevi in a makeup room for an hour, hoping to encourage conversation, but the actresses remained silent. Both stars eventually gave up on the idea.

Jaya Prada became emotional discussing Sridevi, who passed away in February 2018. She expressed a deep regret, wishing she had made an effort to build a friendship with her contemporary. Prada stated that she misses Sridevi and wishes they could have spoken to each other.

Despite their personal distance, Sridevi and Jaya Prada, often alongside Jeetendra, formed one of Bollywood's most bankable trios, headlining several hit films. Jeetendra once referred to them as his 'bread and butter' due to their commercial success.