Director B Jaya (54), best known for films Premikulu, Gundamma Gaari Manavadu and Lovely passed away on Thursday. She was reportedly not keeping well for some time and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital. Her health started deteriorating and she died after suffering a massive heart stroke around 11 pm at her residence in Srinagar Colony, Hyderabad. 

Jaya, the wife of renowned Tollywood PRO BA Raju, started her career as a journalist with a leading vernacular daily and went onto work in several publications before turning a director with 2003's Chantigadu.

She made a mark as a director in the industry with her ability to blend comedy, romance and emotions in the right measure. Her last rites were performed at Punjagutta crematorium today.