‘You need spirit to survive in politics'

Jayaprada was in the city to receive the ANR Achievement Award and to attend a few personal commitments like visiting some friends in Banjara Hills. She copiously apologised for turning up late for the interview but made up with her charm and candid answers. We realised how Jayaprada wears diplomacy with ��lan.
Excerpts from an interview:
How did it feel to receive the ANR Achievement Award?
I respect the award, considering my humble beginnings.A village girl who loved music and dance and never aspired to be an actress. This award is an honour. It���s special since I remember rushing to the sets of Andalaramudu with my brother for a glimpse of superstar ANR. Subsequently, I was paired opposite him. However, my life's been more of a roller coaster ride since I had to struggle at every stage but fought with grit and determination.
Did the never-say-die attitude help survive in politics?
When I broached the topic of entering politics 15 years ago, many of my well-wishers advised me against it. My transformation from a shy actress into a fiery politician, at times even surprises me. Confidently reeling out speeches in Urdu across UP is no small feat. Politics is a path full of thorns. You have to have that extra bit of spirit to survive it. Similar to real-life, my reel-life transition will happen with my next Bengali film Shesh Sanghat where I play a fiery revolutionary.
Your party supports Congress at the national level and holds discussions with Chiranjeevi who is the Congress' rival in AP? Opportunistic politics?
Our party being rooted to secularism, extended support to the government at the centre to get through the nuclear deal and halting early elections. It was mostly issue-based. Mayawati passed snide remarks against actor turned-politicians without realising the services rendered by the likes of MGR and NTR. So I told Amar Singhji that we should support another big star who is giving up a lucrative career to serve people. It was a courtesy call but we don't rule out an alliance in the future.
Don't you feel a parochial language-divide is redundant and would you like to contest from AP?
India is one and people can migrate freely from one to place to another. But I do miss my people, so given a chance, I could contest from the state. When nobody gave me a chance, I beat a mighty opponent like Begum Noor Banoo and now, have done enough for my Rampur constituency.
You are one of the few who could mix glam and performance-oriented roles?
That's right. What started with a 3-minute role in my debut Telugu film Boomi Kosam extended to three decades due to the love of the audience and great filmmakers who offered me demanding roles. If Siri Siri Muvva and Sagara Sangamam fetched me recognition, Yamagola and Aadavi Ramudu gave BO success. I have dubbed for other 6 languages and worked in 250 odd films. My dance ballet Amarapali has been lauded all over and I am also equally excited about my Hindi film with ace filmmaker Buddhadeb Dasgupta.