Eminent actor Jayaprakash Reddy passed away in the wee hours today at his Guntur residence due to heart stroke. He is known for his versatility in playing villainous and comic roles. He is said to have slipped and fell in the bathroom due to heart attack. Jayaprakash Reddy was last seen in Mahesh Babu’s ‘Sarileru Neekevvaru’. He worked as a teacher before entering into films. He played minor roles in films like ‘Satruvu’ and ‘Chitram Bhalare Vichitram’. Jayaprakash Reddy got his break with ‘Preminchukundam Raa’. His Rayalaseema accent in this movie got him that much needed recognition in the industry and he never looked back. His fans and Telugu audience will never forget his comic timing and flawless Rayalaseema accent.
People from cine industry were shocked to hear about JP’s death. Many big names paid their condolences to his family.
Not only ‘Villainy’ but comedy too!
Jayaprakash Reddy’s unique ability to play villain and comedian at the same time got him a huge following. His comedy timing is outstanding and he is one of the very few actors who can excel in both negative and comic roles. He was born in Siruvella village in Allagadda mandal, Kurnool dist. in an agricultural family which later settled in Guntur. While he was working as a teacher, he was actively participating in dramas. His entry into films proved fruitful as he became one of the finest supporting actors in Tollywood. His father Sambi Reddy served the police department as a Sub Inspector. Jayaprakash Reddy did his schooling in Govt. Primary School in Fathekhanpeta, Nellore and later joined high school in Ranganayakulapeta.
Passion for drama
His father was transferred to Anantapur while he was in the tenth standard. Jayaprakash Reddy joined ‘Sai Baba National Higher Secondary School’ for S.S.L.C. As he was passionate about dramas from his childhood, he went on to act in numerous plays. As his father was also an actor, both father and son starred in number of stage plays together. Even though he had passion for acting, JP never neglected his studies. After his graduation, he completed teacher training and took the job of a mathematics teacher. One of his teachers in Ananthapur, Gundachari who taught science subject played an important role in JP’s life. Gundachari’s penchant for arts inspired him a lot.
When JP enacted a stage play named “Duryodhana Garva Bhangam” along with a friend, he spelt out dialogues without rhyme and expression. This irked Gundachari and he warned JP to stay away from acting. JP took it as a challenge and went on to test his luck in the film industry.
When he was playing a drama named ‘Gupchup’, he caught the eye of the great director Dasari Narayana Rao who happened to be in the audience. Dasari introduced him to ‘Movie Moghal’ Ramanaidu who gave him a chance to debut in ‘Brahmaputrudu’. It took a decade for JP to achieve his big break with ‘Preminchukundam Raa’ in 1997. His powerful roles in ‘Samarasimha Reddy’ and ‘Narasimha Naidu’ will live forever after he is long gone.
Chandrababu’s condolences
Former CM Chandrababu Naidu expressed his grief and paid condolences to Jayaprakash Reddy’s family through his Twitter account. He said that Telugu Film Industry has lost a great actor. Hero Sudheer Babu and director Gopichand Malineni also paid condolences to JP’s family.
