Hyderabad: Veteran actress-director and former MP Jamuna, popularly known as 'Satyabhama of the silver screen', passed away at her residence here on Friday.
She was 86 and is survived by a son Vamsee Juluri and daughter Sravanthi.
Her husband Juluri Venkata Ramana Rao died in 2014 due to cardiac arrest.
Born in Hampi of present-day Karnataka, Jamuna made her acting debut at the age of 16 in Dr. Garikapati Rajarao's Puttillu (1953)and received her breakthrough with L. V. Prasad's Missamma (1955).
Her filmography also includes Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi films.
She won a Filmfare Award and an award at Filmfare Awards South.
The veteran actress was a Congress Member of Parliament in the 9th Lok Sabha from (1989–1991) representing the Rajahmundry constituency after she joined the party in 1980.
She lost the 1991 election and quit politics but briefly campaigned for the BJP in the late 1990s during former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure.
Her father Madhva Brahmin, who was involved in the business of turmeric and tobacco, moved to Duggirala, in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh when Jamuna was seven-year-old.
She grew up in Duggirala.
When Savitri was performing drama in Duggirala, she stayed in Jamuna's house. Later, the former invited Jamuna to act in films.
She entered the movies as a heroine at the age of 15.
Jamuna was a stage artist in school. Her mother Vaisya taught her vocal music and harmonium.
Dr. Garikipati Raja Rao (Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) watched her stage show Maa Bhoomi and gave her offer to act in his film Puttillu in 1952.
She acted in 198 films in Telugu and other south Indian languages.
Jamuna also acted in Hindi films, winning the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Milan (1967), repeating her role from the original Telugu film Mooga Manasulu (1964).
She also established the Telugu artist association and has been doing social service through it for the last 25 years.
After learning about Jamuna's demise, several Telugu stars are offering condolences. (UNI)
