Jayaprakash Reddy dies of cardiac arrest 

Renowned Tollywood actor and stage artiste Jayaprakash Reddy, popularly known as JP, died of cardiac arrest at his residence in Guntur today. The 74-year-old actor collapsed in his washroom and although his family members rushed him to the hospital, he was declared brought dead.

Jayaprakash Reddy, who was born on October 10, 1946, was a native of Sirivella, Allagadda Mandal in Kurnool district. He is survived by his wife and a son.

Ever since the suspension of film shootings due to Covid-19, he had been staying in Guntur and participated in stage plays every week at Sri Venkateswara Vignana Mandiram. According to family members, Jayaprakash Reddy was worried that his son and daughter-in-law tested Covid-19 positive.

JP began acting on stage from an early age and worked as a Mathematics teacher at a municipal school before foraying into films. His first stage play saw him playing a female character convincingly. His performance in that role earned him an award in the Best Actress category.

Jayaprakash Reddy made his feature film debut with the Venkatesh Daggubati-starrer Brahmaputrudu (1988). But it was in 1997 with Preminchukundam Raa, which again had Venkatesh in the lead, that JP carved a niche for himself.

Jayaprakash Reddy, who attained fame for portraying villainous and comedian roles, was known for his sharp and witty dialogues in a typical Rayalaseema slang. It was his expressions, diction, and antics that had directors write roles specifically for him. The septuagenarian acted in over 100 movies. Some of his popular films include Samarasimha Reddy (1999), Jayam Manade Raa (2000), Narasimha Naidu (2001), Anandam (2001), Dhee (2007), Ready (2008), and Naayak (2013).

He was last seen in Sarileru Neekevvaru (2020), starring Mahesh Babu and Rashmika Mandanna.

The film fraternity is mourning the death of JP with many of them remembering their association with him. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy expressed his grief over the death of Jayaprakash Reddy and recalled how he created a special place for himself in the film industry with his inimitable dialogue delivery.

Chiranjeevi in his message said that JP would always call Telugu theatre his biological mother and cinema his foster mother. Actor Nandamuri Balakrishna said that JP was extremely disciplined and committed. Calling him a versatile actor, Mohan Babu and Prakash Raj lamented the death of JP as an irreparable loss to the stage and Telugu cinema.

Saddened by the passing of #JayaPrakashReddy garu. One of TFI's finest actor-comedians. Will always cherish the experience of working with him. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.