Jaya Bhaduri began her career with Bengali films when she was discovered by Satyajit Ray. Her first film 'Mahanagar' in 1963 did not do too well, but she stood out as an actress who could mingle with the crowd but yet stand out and make her presence felt.
With an easy disposition, she soon became the girl-next-door with her second Bengali film 'Dhonni Meye' where she played Uttam Kumar's sister. It was from here that the doors for Hindi films opened up for her. She came to Bollywood with a boom and Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 'Guddi' happened, which set the course for things to come.
But before she could get stereotyped in similar roles, with 'Uphaar', 'Jawani Deewani' and 'Anamika', she tried out different roles and images.
But it was with films like "Mili' which really got her appreciation, a role where the entire film revolved around her. Again, to try out something different, she essayed intense roles with 'Kora Kagaz' and 'Koshish'.
She also did a number of movies with Amitabh Bachchan who at that time was still a struggling star. Together they did films like 'Ek Nazar', 'Zanjeer', 'Bansi Birju' and 'Abhimaan'.
'Zanjeer' and 'Abhimaan' turned out to be the turning point in Amitabh's career and their personal life as well. They got married and Amitabh became the new uncrowned king of Hindi cinema. But Jaya Bachchan opted for marital bliss over films and did a large number of memorable films like 'Sholay' and Chupke Chupke' before she quit.
This tremendously talented and successful actress made a comeback, just for one film, in Yash Chopra's 'Silsila' with Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha ,and the film only went on to add to her already impressive list of movies.
After a comparatively long stint, she assisted Amitabh Bachchan with ABCL and discovered freshers like Arshad Warsi, Priya Gill and Chandrachur Singh with 'Tere Mere Sapne'.
Years later, Jaya Bachchan decided to make a comeback of sorts with 'Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa' which went on to win the audiences' heart and appreciation. She has been recently seen in movies like 'Fiza', Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe and Kal Ho Na Ho.
