Did Kangana Ranaut deserve a Padmashri so early in her career? Jayasudha, Jayaprada share their views

There are very few actresses in the country who can boast of the versatatility of Jayasudha and Jayaprada in Indian cinema, with a career spanning nearly four and a half decades across multiple languages. Some of their most popular films were with the legendary star, former AP CM NTR, the father of another actor-politician Nandamuri Balakrishna. While making an appearance in an episode of Balakrishna’s Unstoppable with NBK on aha, the actress duo was nostalgic about their early years in the industry.

Balakrishna shares a buddy like equation with both Jayasudha and Jayaprada since the late 1970s and their bond has lasted through thick and thin. With that familiarity, the host asked Jayasudha if she felt bad about the government not honouring her with any award, when relatively younger actresses like Kangana Ranaut got a Padmashri so early in her career. In response to the question, here’s what the veteran actresses said on the show.

“I really don’t mind Kangana Ranaut getting a Padmashri. She is an amazing actress. Yet, she received that award within 10 films. Over here, we worked on many films yet not recognised by the Government,” said Jayasudha. Jayaprada concurred and felt that it’s important they get honours respectably and not by asking for them. Jayasudha even felt that even Vijaya Nirmala, a Guinness record-holder for the most films directed by a female filmmaker, hasn’t gotten her due yet.

Jayasudha admitted about feeling bad about South actors not being appreciated by the Government. Another actress, Raashi Khanna, was seen for a brief duration in the episode. Jayasudha’s next release is the Tamil film Varisu, the Vijay-Rashmika Mandanna starrer, directed by Vamshi Paidipally. In the episode, the host and the actress also paid homage to late superstar Krishna and discussed his contributions to Telugu cinema.