This actress rejected Rs 2 lakh marriage offer, worked 7 years on a hit show without much credit, shared screen with Aishwarya Rai, her name is…

In the world of Indian television, Jaya Bhattacharya is known for playing fierce, bold, and dramatic “vamp” characters. But behind those powerful screen moments is a story filled with struggle, silence, and strength. “Because of the kind of roles I did, I was out of work for 7 years,” she said, reflecting on the cost of being typecast.

Jaya became a household name with shows like Kasam Se, Kesar, Hatim, and of course, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. But recently, in a revealing interview with Siddharth Kannan, she peeled back the curtain on what went on.

The creepy marriage offer that still haunts her

She was just 17 or 18 when an “uncle” she knew, who taught her to drive, revealed his true colours. “I later found out he had dangerous political links and even mafia connections,” she said.

He promised to take her to Mumbai and make her the next Madhuri Dixit. But things took a dark turn when he said, “I want to marry you. I’ll give you 2 lakh rupees as mehr.”

Jaya’s blunt reply? “I’m not for sale.”

Worked on a hit show for 7 years

Even in one of TV’s most iconic shows, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Jaya says she was grossly underpaid and unappreciated.

“I was the most underpaid. When others got a Rs 2000 hike, I got Rs 1000. Still, I never asked. I wasn’t respected on that set,” she admitted.

And despite her commitment to the role, she didn’t even get nominated for an award.

“I did my work because I had given my word. But I was invisible there.”

She was in Devdas, too

Apart from TV, Jaya had a short but memorable role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas (2002), alongside Aishwarya Rai. A small part in a huge film, but it still didn’t bring the fame or recognition she deserved.

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