Jaya Bachchan was one of the most celebrated stars in Indian cinema when she married Amitabh Bachchan in 1973. At the time, Amitabh had just achieved massive success with Zanjeer, and the couple had already been together for a few years. After their sudden marriage, Jaya made the decision to step back from her acting career and focus on her family. Over the next two decades, she only appeared in two films, choosing instead to raise her two children, Shweta and Abhishek. It wasn’t until 1998 that Jaya made a return to the screen.
In a piece for the Illustrated Weekly of India, Jaya’s father, journalist Taroon Coomar Bhaduri, wrote about her choice to leave acting long before her comeback. He stressed that Amitabh was not responsible for Jaya’s decision. He wrote, “When Jaya decided to quit films, we said nothing. In my family, we have never thrust our decisions on the children. When Jaya said she wanted to join films, we said all right, go ahead. When she decided to quit, I felt, of course, that her talent was being wasted. But it was purely her decision. I don’t think she’s ever regretted it.”
Despite her absence from films, Jaya’s allure never faded, and Bhaduri even mentioned that she might return to acting if the right project came along. “Jaya’s mystique remains intact. In the ephemeral world of razzmatazz, her appeal and magic have withstood the test of time,” he observed, also defending his son-in-law against any criticism. “I don’t think Amitabh can be blamed for Jaya’s decision to quit. But he has been blamed for so many things, poor fellow,” he added.
Jaya’s father also praised her for being highly organized and deeply dedicated to her household, saying, “One should see how she runs her household. Her eye for detail encompasses everything. She also does a lot of work for spastic children. I think she is a good mix of the traditional and the modern.” He recalled how resilient Jaya was during Amitabh’s near-fatal injury on the sets of Coolie in the early 1980s, describing her as composed yet deeply committed to her husband’s recovery. “She appeared unruffled and cool. But at the same time, she did whatever people told her to do—she wore all sorts of beads, talismans and prayed fervently for Amit’s recovery. She put up a brave front but underneath, she was realistic. She was prepared for the worst,” he wrote.
Jaya has also spoken about her decision to quit acting, asserting in an interview with Times Now that it was entirely her choice. “I’m not that kind of a person. No one can make me do what I don’t want to,” she said. Amitabh, too, acknowledged her role in their family, praising her for devoting her attention to their home while he focused on his career. “Jaya was always supportive and never complained,” he shared on an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati.
Although Jaya doesn’t act as frequently now, she has appeared in notable films such as Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani, both directed by Karan Johar, continuing to leave her mark on Indian cinema.
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