Jaya Bhaduri was born on April 10, 1948 in Jabalpur. Jaya was born in a Bengali family to Indira and Taroon Kumar Bhaduri, writer, journalist and stage artist. She studied in St. Joseph's Convent School, Bhopal. Jaya's height is 5'2" or 1.57 m. She started her career with a small role in Satyajit Ray's Bengali film, Mahanagar at the age of 15 in 1963. After initial success in her native West Bengal, she became a success after Guddi in which she played a schoolgirl obsessed with film star Dharmendra after which she moved to Mumbai and starred in many Hindi hit films, such as Jawani Diwani, Uphaar, Anamika, and she helped her husband become a star by acting with him in Zanjeer (1973), Abhimaan (1973), Chupke Chupke (1975) and Sholay (1975).

On June 3, 1973, she married actor Amitabh Bachchan. The couple have two children: Shweta Bachchan-Nanda and Abhishek Bachchan, who is also an actor. She has lived her entire married life in the public eye, yet she has always kept her distance from the media.

Her daughter Shweta was born while Jaya and Amitabh were working on the film Sholay. Following this she retired from films and focused on raising her children. Her last film was Silsila (1981) also opposite her husband.

After a gap of 18 years, She returned in Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (1998) and has since played mother roles which she has been praised for. In 2000 she starred in the film Fiza opposite Karisma Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan.

Her forthcoming film is Chudiyan where she will appear opposite her son Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerjee and Konkona Sen Sharma.

Of late, Bachchan became active in politics, notably with the Samajwadi Party and has been a Member of Parliament, representing Rajya Sabha till lately. In a recent controversy, she was disqualified from the post of MP with the charge of occupying an office of profit along with holding a position as MP as against the sub-clause (a) of Clause 1 of Article 102 of the Constitution, where an MP is not allowed to hold any office of profit.

Jaya Bachchan has returned to the Upper House as MP of Samajwadi Party in July 2006. Her re-entry into parliament was a great photo op for the journalists when her husband Amitabh Bachchan accompanied her to the swearing in ceremony.

Her son Abhishek Bachchan recently got engaged to Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai on 14-Jan-2007. Her mother Indira Bhaduri resides alone in Bhopal in Central India. Jaya has two grandchildren from her daughter Shweta; Navya Naveli and Agastya Nanda.

Awards and honors :

1973 - Filmfare Best Actress Award, Abhimaan
1974 - Filmfare Best Actress Award, Kora Kagaz
1979 - Filmfare Best Actress Award, Naukar
1998 - Special Life Time Achievement Award for her contributions to Indian cinema
1998 - Omega Award for Excellence : Lifetime Achievement [1]
2000 - Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award, Fiza
2001 - Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
2003 - Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award, Kal Ho Na Ho
2006 - Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
Jaya Bachchan is a recipient of the Yash Bharati Samman, UP state's highest award from the Government of Uttar Pradesh. [2]
Jaya Bachchan is also a recipient of the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award from the Government of India.


FILMOGRAPHY:

"Koffee with Karan"
Kal Ho Naa Ho
Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe
Desh
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...
Daughters of This Century
Dr. Mukta
Fiza
Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa
Silsila
Nauker
Ek Baap Chhe Bete
Abhi To Jee Lein
Sholay
Chupke Chupke
Mili
Doosri Sita
Dil Diwana
Kora Kagaz
Naya Din Nayi Raat
Abhimaan
Zanjeer
Anamika
Gaai Aur Gori
Phagun
Parichay
Annadata
Bansi Birju
Bawarchi
Ek Nazar
Jawani Diwani
Koshish
Samadhi
Shor
Dhanyee Meye
Guddi
Jai Jawan Jai Makan
Piya Ka Ghar
Uphaar
Mahanagar