Chennai, Dec 6 (Asianet) : Their roller-coaster friendship which started with Sasikala’s love for films and a small meeting, dealt with a myriad of emotions. The only constant in Jayalalithaa’s life, Sasikala, was nothing less than a “shield” and a “mother figure” for Jayalalithaa. 

Absence of a family, made Jaya form an unbreakable bond with Sasikala. Their friendship of over three decades witnessed commitment, affection, ego, betrayal and love. If Jaya was the “Amma”, their friendship turned Sasikala into “Chinna Amma.”

For Jaya, who had always been under constant media glare and public scrutiny – as a mega star and as a political figure – Sasikala was the only one she could fearless speak to. So thick was their friendship that when Jaya decided to throw out Sasikala’s husband, Natarajan, Sasikala gave priority to the bond of friendship over her marital bond.

If Jaya was the Iron Lady, Sasikala was undoubtedly the magnet.However, there were two instances when their thick friendship underwent a turbulent phase. When Jaya grew strong in the political sphere, Sasikala grew even stronger. Stories of Sasikala's moneymaking ways started making headlines. In 1996, Jaya blamed Sasikala for her sudden fall from the throne. The incident brought about a tragic end to the friendship between the soul sisters. But with the ascendance of AIADMK, Jaya and Sasikala's friendship went back on the track.

In 2012, when Sasikala was accused of betrayal again, Jaya decided to expel her lieutenant. However with Sasikala's intense influence and continuous pleadings, Jayalalithaa revoked her decision soon after.

Though Jaya maintained that Sasikala never interfered with her administrative work, it was no secret that Sasikala knew how to play her cards from the background. And with Jayalalithaa gone, it will not be surprising to see Sasikala pull the strings from the background, once again.