Veteran actress Archana, known for her powerful roles in classics like Daasi, Nireekshana and Ladies Tailor, is back in the spotlight with her new film Shashtipoorthi. While promoting the film across various media platforms, Archana took a moment to reflect on her journey in cinema and shared heartfelt admiration for fellow actress Jayasudha. Interestingly, Archana’s birth name was Sudha, but she chose to adopt a new screen name early in her career out of deep respect for Jayasudha.
“When I entered the industry, Jayasudha akka (sister) was already a very popular actress and an inspiration to all of us. She is an angel of Telugu cinema,” Archana shared. “My parents asked me to keep the name Sudha, but I didn’t want to. I requested director Balu Mahendra to give me a different name. He initially said Sudha looks nice, but I told him that I didn’t want to have a name that’s part of Jayasudha’s. He was touched by my words and then he gave me the name Archana. I’ve loved that name ever since.” Jayasudha, famously known as ‘Sahaja Nati’ (Natural Actress), has showcased her acting brilliance from a young age and continues to do so today. However, despite her prolific body of work, she has never received a National Award — a fact that Archana finds unjust. “She should’ve received a National Award for at least 30 to 40 films. She’s a legend and an inspiration to many,” Archana said. “She’s in everybody’s heart even today — and that itself is bigger than any award. People acknowledge her greatness and adore her. Films like Jyothi, Sivaranjani, and Megha Sandesam deserved national recognition. And the list goes on.”
Archana concluded by emphasizing that Jayasudha’s stature and achievements are extraordinary and that she remains a revered figure in Indian cinema.
