She left the film industry at the peak of her career, as she joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1994 and entered politics.

Some of her notable films include Anthuleni Katha (1976), Siri Siri Muvva (1976), Sita Kalyanam (1976), Adavi Ramudu (1977), Yamagola (1977), Sanaadi Appanna (1977), Huliya Haalina Mevu (1979), Sargam (1979), Ooriki Monagadu (1981), Kaamchor (1982), Kaviratna Kalidasa (1983), Sagara Sangamam (1983), Tohfa (1984), Sharaabi (1984), Maqsad (1984), Sanjog (1985), Aakhree Raasta (1986), Simhasanam (1986), Muddat (1986), Sindoor (1987), Samsaram (1988), Elaan-E-Jung (1989), Aaj Ka Arjun (1990), Thanedaar (1990), Maa (1991), Habba (1999), Shabdavedhi (2000), Devadoothan (2000), Pranayam (2011), Ee Bandhana (2007) and Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna (2012).

Lalitha attended a Telugu medium school in Rajahmundry and was also enrolled in dance and music classes at an early age.

In 1979, K. Balachander repeated her in the Tamil film Ninaithale Inikkum opposite Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth in which she played a terminally-ill patient.

She continued to act in more films in Telugu opposite actors such as NTR, ANR, Krishna, Krishnam Raju and Sobhan Babu throughout the 70s and 80s.

She acted in highest number of films with Krishna like Sri Rajeshwari vilas coffee club (1976), Bhale Krishnudu (1980), Ooruki Monagadu (1981), Mundadugu (1983), Prajarajyam (1983) and Singhasan (1986).

[12] Saagara Sangamam directed by K. Vishwanath, starring Kamal Haasan proved to be a milestone in her career, winning her many accolades including Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Telugu in 1983.

She was now able to consistently work in Hindi films, and earned two more Filmfare nominations as Best Actress for playing Amitabh Bachchan's endearing girlfriend in Prakash Mehra's Sharaabi (1984) and for her challenging double role in K. Vishwanath's Sanjog (1985).

Jayaprada made a successful team not just with Amitabh Bachchan and Jeetendra, but also with her immediate screen rival Sridevi, with whom she has acted in about a dozen films.

In 1985, she acted in the Malayalam film Iniyum Kadha Thudarum directed by Joshiy starring Mammootty, Baby Shalini and Ambika.

From 1994 onwards, she cut back on film assignments and got more involved with a political career on call by her co-star NTR.

[15] Her 2012 Kannada film Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna that saw her donning the historical role of courageous Kittur Chennamma, completed 100 days at the box office.

[16] Jayaprada joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1994 at the invitation of its founder N. T. Rama Rao, on the eve of the assembly elections, and rose quickly through the ranks.

At that time there was speculation that she would run for election, but she preferred not to make her electoral debut, although she was offered a seat by Rao.

[18] On 11 May 2009, Jayaprada alleged that senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan was distributing nude pictures of her.

[20] Amar Singh, along with Jayaprada floated his own political party, Rashtriya Lok Manch, in 2011, and fielded candidates in 360 of the 403 seats in Uttar Pradesh in the 2012 assembly polls.

"[32] Neeraja Murthy of The Hindu noted, "For over four decades, Jaya Prada has been the quintessential glamourous [sic] star setting hearts aflutter on screen.

"[33] Nibandh Vinod of News18 noted, "Jaya Prada, ruled the industry with her charm, graceful dance skills and nuanced acting chops.

[9] In the 2019 biopic film NTR: Kathanayakudu, actress Hansika Motwani portrayed Jaya Prada onscreen.