Jamuna (née Nippani; 30 August 1936 – 27 January 2023) was an Indian actress, director, and politician who worked principally in Telugu cinema. Over a career spanning several decades, she also appeared in Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi films, and later entered public life as a member of the Lok Sabha.
| Born | 30 August 1936 (as Nippani) |
|---|---|
| Died | 27 January 2023 |
| Occupations | Actress, director, politician |
| Primary industry | Telugu cinema |
| Other languages | Tamil, Kannada, Hindi |
| Debut film | Puttillu (1953), directed by Garikapati Rajarao |
| Breakthrough | Missamma (1955), directed by L. V. Prasad |
| Major awards | Filmfare Award; Filmfare Award (South) |
| Political office | Member of Parliament, 9th Lok Sabha (1989–1991) |
| Constituency | Rajahmundry |
Born Nippani in 1936, Jamuna entered films as a teenager. She made her screen debut at the age of sixteen in Puttillu (1953), directed by Dr. Garikapati Rajarao. The role brought her to the notice of Telugu film-makers and paved the way for further work in the industry.
Jamuna's breakthrough came with Missamma (1955), directed by L. V. Prasad, a film that established her as a leading actress in Telugu cinema. While the bulk of her work was in Telugu, her filmography extended to Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi productions, giving her a presence across multiple Indian film industries. In addition to acting, she later worked as a director.
For her contributions to Indian cinema she received a Filmfare Award and an honour at the Filmfare Awards South.
Jamuna served as a member of the 9th Lok Sabha from 1989 to 1991, representing the Rajahmundry constituency in Andhra Pradesh.
Jamuna was among the prominent leading actresses of mid-twentieth-century Telugu cinema, with a career that crossed linguistic boundaries into Tamil, Kannada, and Hindi films. Her later move into film direction and electoral politics reflected a broader trajectory, common to several South Indian film personalities, of transitioning from screen work into public life.