Jaya at 60: pint-sized 'Guddi' stays feisty

New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) The girl next door of 'Guddi' turns 60 Wednesday. At the milestone, Jaya Bachchan maintains her firm hold on family, politics and the affection of numerous fans.

Juggling many roles and responsibilities, Jaya has taken a break from her work and flown to Miami to be with her son Abhishek on her birthday, which will be a quiet affair restricted to her immediate family.

Amitabh Bachchan and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai have also gone with her to Miami where Abhishek is shooting for Karan Johar's 'Dostana'.

The actress, who went through many difficult phases in life, says that real happiness comes from 'positive thinking and one should be always positive in life'.

Firm and forthright Jaya is more active in politics as a Samajwadi Party MP, than films. Recently, she criticised Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati for attacking her husband.

Although she has not acted in as many films as the Big B, she leaves an indelible mark whenever she appears on screen. 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham', 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' and 'Laaga Chunari Mein Daag' are some recent examples of her acting acumen.

Jaya was born to Indira and Taroon Coomar Bhaduri who was a writer, journalist and stage artiste. After completing her schooling from St. Joseph's Convent in Bhopal, she got an opportunity to play a small role in Satyajit Ray's Bengali film 'Mahanagar' at the young age of 15.

She later joined the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune. She made a remarkable Bollywood debut in 1971 with 'Guddi' after which there was no looking back for this talented actress. She starred in hit after hit - 'Koshish', 'Parichay', 'Bawarchi', 'Abhimaan', 'Mili' and 'Chupke Chupke', to name a few.

In 1973, Jaya married her co-star Amitabh Bachchan with whom she paired up in films like 'Zanzeer', 'Abhimaan' and 'Sholay'. After marriage she took an 18-year break from acting to concentrate on her family.

Jaya has received seven Filmfare awards besides the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award.

While staying away from the silver screen, she produced the popular television serial 'Dekh Bhai Dekh'.

Jaya made a grand comeback to movies in the critically acclaimed 'Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa' in 1998. In 2000, she played mother to Karisma Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan in 'Fiza' and received the Filmfare award for best supporting actress.

Her fans will see her next in journalist-poet-author Jayabrato Chatterjee's 'Love Songs - Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow'.

'It is a nice film, watch it,' she said.

The film was premiered at Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image's International Film Festival in March.