Recalling their association with late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, eminent Telugu film director and former Union Minister Dasari Narayana Rao and several other film personalities in Tollywood today expressed grief over her death.
"She used to call me 'Annayya' (elder brother in Telugu). She received us very well when I and my wife met her. We used to speak over phone. I had the privilege of shooting at her Poes Garden residence," Narayana Rao said.
Jayalalithaa acted in a number of Telugu films, including about 10 as heroine opposite the legendary N T Rama Rao and seven opposite Akkineni Nageswara Rao. She also shared screen space with top Telugu heroes of 1970s, including Krishna and Sobhan Babu.
Veteran actress Jamuna recalled that Jayalithaa had friendly and warm interactions with her contemporary heroines even when she was busy as Chief Minister.
On coming to know about the serious financial troubles of a contemporary actress, Jayalalithaa had given about Rs 10 lakhs as a fixed deposit to help her, Jamuna recalled.
"She (Jayalalithaa) was a woman of few words. She used to speak little during her film career. But, she was very kind-hearted and appeared like a child sometimes. She was a book worm. She was an intellectual. She has brought respect to the post she held," Jamuna said.
Senior Telugu actor and Movie Artists Association (MAA) president Rajendra Prasad condoled her death, saying she was like mother-figure to him.
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