Beginning her career with a small role in Satyajit Ray's Mahanagar in 1963, Jaya Bhaduri, the daughter of journalist Tarun Bhaduri, won all hearts with her portrayal of Uttam Kumar's sister in the Bengali film Dhannyi Meye. From there it was a short journey to Bombay, where she reigned on the screen as the girl next door with the scrubbed look.

Her first Hindi film, Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Guddi, was an enormous hit and gave her a distinct identity. After Guddi came Uphaar, Jawani Diwani and Anamika. She acted opposite almost all the top heroes of her time, including Sanjeev Kumar, Jeetendra, and of course Amitabh Bachchan. Her classics, like Khoshish, Kora Kagaz, Bawarchi, Sholay, Mili, Abhimaan, Chupke Chupke, Paarichay still entertain. She received the best actress award for Kora Kagaz in 1975, and Nauker in 1980. Jaya Bhaduri signed four films with the upcoming megastar and her husband-t0-be -- EkNazar, Bansi Birju, Zanjeer and Abhimaan. Jaya left cinema when she married Amitabh, only to come back for Yash Chopra's triangular, almost painfully autobiographical love story Silsila co-starring Amitabh and Rekha.

A few years ago, Jaya returned to acting with Govind Nihalani's Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa, mush to the delight of her die-hard fans. this was followed by select films, including Fiza, for which she received the 2000 Filmfare award for the Best Supporting Actress. She is also very active in theatre, and has lately tourd the country with the popular Maa Retire Hoti Hai.