Actor-politician Jaya Prada sentenced to 6 months imprisonment and Rs 5000 fine by a Chennai court

Earlier this year, when the veteran filmmaker passed away, Prada recalled working with her and said, “He was my guru, my mentor. Everything I know about acting I learnt from him. I felt the same respect and love for him that I felt for my parents. Every time I was in Hyderabad I would visit his home with gifts for him and his family, just like one does for one’s parents.”

Jaya Prada, who starred in some of Vishwanath’s most distinguished works, recalls his contribution to her life and career as indescribable. “I cannot tell you what Vishwanathji meant to my life and career. When he offered me Siri Siri Muva ,which was later made in Hindi into Sargam I knew nothing about cinema let alone about how a mute girl that I played, behaved. When he narrated the screenplay I didn’t understand anything. I followed Vishwanath Sir blindly into the role, and he guided me with the love affection and care of a father showing his child how to take her first baby steps. Later when Siri Siru Muva was remade into Hindi, Vishwanathji convinced the producer N C Sippy to cast me in the role.”