Rekha Biography

Rekha, born October 10, 1954, is a National Film Award-winning popular Bollywood actress. She is considered to be the eternal Diva of the Bollywood film industry. Throughout the 1970s till date she has been considered as a Sex Symbol icon, known for her beauty, acting talent and dancing skills. She has acted in over 180 films in her career, taking part both in the Indian mainstream cinema as well as in parallel cinema, having commercial success as an actress, as well as critical acclaim for her strong performances down the years.

Born in 1954, in Chennai, India, Bhanurekha Ganesan (later known simply as "Rekha") is the daughter of renowned Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan and the Telugu actress Pushpavalli. Her father enjoyed phenomenal success and Rekha was to follow in his footsteps.

Rekha's parents were not married, and her father did not acknowledge his paternity during her childhood. It was during the early 1970s, when she was looking for a footing in the Bollywood film industry, that she revealed her origins. Later, at the peak of her career, Rekha told a magazine interviewer that her father's neglect still rankled and that she had ignored his efforts at reconciliation. She has had various unsuccessful relationships with Bollywood stars including Amitabh Bachchan ,Vinod Mehra and was briefly married to a businessman Mukesh Aggarwal from Delhi before he committed suicide.

Rekha appeared as a child actor in the Telugu film "Rangula Ratnam" (1966). Rekha made her debut as heroine in the successful Kannada film "Goadalli CID 999" with Dr. Rajkumar in 1969. She had two films released in 1970: the Telugu film "Amma Kosam" and the Hindi "Sawan Bhadon". "Sawan Bhadon" was a hit and she becomes a star overnight.

She got a lot of offers but nothing of substance. Her roles were mostly used to be just of a glamour girl, a typical Hindi movie heroine. She appeared in several successful films, such as "Kahani Kismat Ki", "Raampur Ka Lakshman", and "Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye". Her first serious and performance oriented role came in 1976 when she signed "Do Anjaane" with Amitabh Bachchan. People noticed her in that and then came "Ghar" in 1978. She got critical acclaim for her performance as a rape victim and received her first nomination for Best Actress at the Filmfare Awards ceremony.

She first attained real fame in 1978 with "Muqaddar Ka Sikandar", in which she co-starred with Amitabh Bachchan. The movie was the biggest hit of the year and Rekha was set as one of the most popular actresses of these times. She went on to co-star with Amitabh in a number of 1980s hits. She was rumoured to be Amitabh's real-life flame, and that's why the most scandalous of their films together was "Silsila" (1981), in which she played Amitabh's love interest and Amitabh's real-life wife, Jaya Bhaduri, played his wife. The film-column gossip may have contributed to her success. However, even critics had to admit that she had worked hard to perfect her Hindi and her acting, and that she had transformed herself from a "plump" duckling to a "swan" in the early 1970s. Rekha's credits to this transformation were yoga, a nutritious diet, and a regular, disciplined life.

In 1981, she starred in the critically acclaimed Urdu film "Umrao Jaan". The film was considered one of her best performances and she received the National Film Award for Best Actress. Overall, she was known for doing frequently these kinds of roles. Her portrayal of courtesan with a heart of gold in films like "Muqaddar Ka Sikandar" and "Umrao Jaan" won her acclaim and she played similar roles in other movies.

The post-Bachchan era marked the turning point where Rekha turned her career professionally. She was willing to work with independent and art film directors, and regularly worked in Parallel Cinema in films like "Utsav", "Baseraa", "Ek Hi Bhool", "Jeevan Dhaara" and "Ijaazat". These films were known for their realistic and realistic topics, and Rekha was praised for her performances. Apart from parallel cinema, Rekha took on other increasingly serious, even adventurous roles; She was among the early actresses to play lead roles in heroine-oriented films, delivering films such as "Khubsoorat", "Khoon Bhari Maang" and "Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye"; She won Filmfare trophies for her roles in "Khubsoorat" and "Khoon Bhari Maang".

The 1990s saw drop in her success and she almost lost her stardom. She was part of some commercially and critically unsuccessful films, in spite of doing even more challenging roles. Unlike most of the actresses of her generation during the 70s and the 80s like Hema Malini and Raakhee, who began making supporting roles as the mother or the aunty, Rekha was known for still playing the leading roles, at the same time as heroines Madhuri Dixit and Raveena Tandon were notable.

The foreign film "Kama Sutra: A Tale Of Love" and the commercially successful "Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi" (1996) were some of her most notable films during the decade. While the former, was known for its controversial issue that Rekha played a Kama Sutra teacher in the film, the latter was a major grosser and earned her several awards in the Best Supporting Actress and the Best Villain categories for her first villain role.In recent years, she has appeared in relatively few movies, usually as a mother or a widow rather than a glamour queen. She was acting in films such as, "Zubeidaa" (2001), "Dil Hai Tumhaara" (2002), "Koi... Mil Gaya" (2003) and "Parineeta" (2005). In 2006, she was seen in the sequel to "Koi... Mil Gaya" i.e "Krrish", which was one of the most successful films of the year.Rekha is thus one of the few hindi film actresses who had the versatility to carry with equal aplomb such diverse roles as that of the brattish schoolgirl of "Khubsoorat", the sultry siren of "Muqaddar ka Sikandar", the school-maarmish housewife of "Ijaazat" and classical courtesan in "Umrao Jaan". Her diction and dialogue delivery in Hindi and Urdu, languages that were not natural to her, is an example even to native speakers of those tongues. She imbues every role she essayed with a dignity and characterization that makes it difficult to visualize anyone but her in those roles. In doing so, she has carved an indelible name for herself in the annals of Indian cinema.The young Rekha filled the gossip columns with rumours of affairs with actors Jeetendra, Vinod Mehra, Kiran Kumar, and Amitabh Bachchan. In 1990 she married Delhi-based businessman Mukesh Aggarwal, who committed suicide in 1991. She was rumored to have married to actor Vinod Mehra in the 1973, but in a 2004 television interview with Simi Garewal she denied being married to him calling him a "well-wisher."

Rekha currently lives along with her secretary Farzana in her Bandra home in Mumbai.

Filmography as Actor
Om Shanti Om (2007) - special appearance
Yatra (2007) - Lajvanti (prostitute)
Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana (2007) - Mayuri
Krrish (2006) - Sonia Mehra
Bachke Rehna Re Baba (2005) - Rukmini
Koi... Mil Gaya (2003) - Sonia Mehra
Bhoot (2003) - Sarita
Dil Hai Tumhaara (2002) - Saritaji
American Desi (2001) - Herself on TV (uncredited)
Censor (2001) - Ms. Shrivastav
Lajja (2001) - Ramdulaari
Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachaao (2001) - Kamini Mathur
Zubeidaa (2001) - Maharani Mandira Devi
Bulandi (2000) - Lakshmi
Mother (1999) - Asha Britannia
Qila (1998) - Yamini
Aastha (1997) - Mansi
Udaan (1997) - Varsha Sahay
Aurat Aurat Aurat (1996) - Sita Vajpai
Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996) - Rasa Devi, teacher of the Kama Sutra
Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996) - Maya
Ab Insaf Hoga (1995)
Nishana (1995)
Madam X (1994) - Madam X/Sonu
Geetanjali (1993)
Grihaprevesam (1992)
Insaaf Ki Devi (1992)
Time Machine (1992)
Waqt Ka Badshah (1992)
Phool Bane Angaarey (1991) - Namrata
Ussoolon Ki Jung (1991)
Yeh Aag Kab Bujhegi (1991)
Aag Ka Dariya (1990)
Amiri Garibi (1990) - Sona
Aye Auto (1990) - Minu
Azaad Desh Ke Gulam (1990) - Bharti Bhandari
Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai (1990) - Sharda Dayal Sharma
Shesh Naag (1990)
Souten Ki Beti (1990) - Radha
Bahurani (1989) - Madhuri/Malti Chaudhary
Bhrashtachar (1989) - Bhavani
Clerk (1989)
Dasharatham (1989) - Annie
Kasam Suhaag Ki (1989)
Ladaai (1989)
Biwi Ho To Aisi (1988) - Shalu
Ek Naya Rishta (1988)
Khoon Bhari Maang (1988) - Aarti Verma/Jyoti
Soorma Bhopali (1988)
Apne Apne (1987) - Sharda
Ijaazat (1987) - Sudha
Jaan Hatheli Pe (1987)
Pyaar Ki Jeet (1987) - Soni
Sansar (1987) - Uma
Insaaf Ki Awaaz (1986) - Police Officer
Jaal (1986)
Janbaaz (1986) - Club singer (Guest Appearance)
Locket (1986) - Shalini
Musafir (1986)
Sadaa Suhagan (1986) - Laxmi
Faasle (1985) - Maya
Jhoothi (1985) - Kalpana Srivastav
Naya Bakra (1985) - Guest
Nishan (1985)
Ram Tere Kitne Nam (1985) - Mrs. Radha Aloknath Gupta
Asha Jyoti (1984) - Jyoti
Baazi (1984) - Asha
Bindiya Chamkegi (1984)
Jhootha Sach (1984)
Khazana (1984)
Maati Maange Khoon (1984) - Shyamlee (Courtesan)
Utsav (1984) - Vasantsena
Zameen Aasmaan (1984)
Agar Tum Na Hote (1983) - Nina (Mrs. Mehra)/Radha (Mrs. Bedi)
Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye (1983)
Prem Tapasya (1983) - Bela
Mehndi Rang Layegi (1982)
Apna Bana Lo (1982) - Roopadevi
Deedar-E-Yaar (1982) - Husna
Ghazab (1982) - Jamuna
Jeevan Dhaara (1982) - Sangeeta Shrivastav
Raaste Pyar Ke (1982)
Vijeta (1982) - Neelima
Ek Hi Bhool (1981) - Sadhana
Ghunghroo Ki Awaaz (1981) - Kajal/Kiran Gomes/Rani
Basera (1981) - Purnima, 'Nima'
Silsila (1981) - Chandni
Daasi (1981)
Khoon Aur Paani (1981)
Mangalsutra (1981) - Gayetri B. Prasad
Kalyug (1981) - Supriya
Chehre Pe Chehra (1981) - Daisy
Saajan Ki Saheli (1981) - Moon Moon Dhawan
Chashme Buddoor (1981) - Guest Appearance
Umrao Jaan (1981) - Amiran/Umrao Jaan
Kali Ghata (1980) - Rekha/Rashmi
Aanchal (1980) - Tulsi
Agreement (1980) - Mala Mathur
Jal Mahal (1980)
Judaai (1980) - Gauri Verma
Jyoti Bane Jwala (1980) - Courtesan (Special appearance)
Khubsoorat (1980) - Manju Dayal
Maang Bharo Sajana (1980) - Radha
Neeyat (1980)
Ram Balram (1980) - Shobha
Ahinsa (1979)
Do Shikaari (1979) - Sunita
Golmaal (1979) - Herself (Cameo, in song "Sapne Ne Mein Dekha Sapna")
Jaani Dushman (1979) - Champa
Kartavya (1979) - Nita
Mr. Natwarlal (1979) - Shanno
Muqabla (1979) - Qawwali singer
Prem Bandhan (1979) - Mauva
Suhaag (1979) - Basanti
Aakhri Daku (1978)
Bhola Bhala (1978) - Champa
Dil Aur Deewar (1978)
Do Musafir (1978) - Bijli
Ganga Ki Saugand (1978) - Dhaniya
Ghar (1978) - Aarti Chandra
Karmayogi (1978) - Rekha
Muqaddar (1978)
Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) - Zohrabai
Parmatma (1978) - Deepa
Rahu Ketu (1978) - Tulsi
Ram Kasam (1978)
Sawan Ke Geet (1978)
Ram Bharose (1977)
Aap Ki Khatir (1977) - Sarita
Alaap (1977) - Radha Kumari (Radhiya)
Chakkar Pe Chakkar (1977) - Shila Sahini
Dildaar (1977)
Ek Hi Rasta (1977)
Farishta Ya Qatil (1977)
Imaan Dharam (1977) - Durga
Kachcha Chor (1977)
Khoon Pasina (1977) - Chanda
Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein (1977) - Dancer (Guest Appearance)
Saal Solvan Chadya (1977) - Wedding entertainer
Khalifa (1976)
Aaj Ka Mahatma (1976) - Mala
Do Anjaane (1976) - Rekha Roy/Sunita Devi
Kabeela (1976)
Nagin (1976) - Sunita
Santan (1976)
Aakraman (1975) - Sheetal
Dafaa 302 (1975)
Dharam Karam (1975)
Dharmatma (1975) - Anu
Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja (1975)
Zorro (1975)
Do Aankhen (1974)
Duniya Ka Mela (1974)
Hawas (1974) - Guest apperance in song "Aao Yaaro Gao.."
Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974) - Janniya/Sheetal
Woh Main Nahin (1974)
Anokhi Ada (1973) - Neeta
Barkha Bahar (1973)
Dharma (1973) - Asha & Radha
Kahani Kismat Ki (1973) - Rekha
Kashmakash (1973)
Keemat (1973) - Sudha
Khoon Khoon (1973) - Guest Appearance
Mehmaan (1973) - Sheela
Namak Haraam (1973) - Shyama
Do Yaar (1972)
Double Cross (1972) - Rekha
Ek Bechara (1972)
Gaon Hamara Shaher Tumhara (1972) - Parvati (Paro)
Gora Aur Kala (1972) - Phoolwa
Rampur Ka Lakshman (1972)
Sazaa (1972)
Zameen Aasmaan (1972) - Kalpana
Dost Aur Dushman (1971)
Elaan (1971) - Mala Mehta/Mary
Haseenon Ka Devata (1971) - Sunita/Chabili
Saaz Aur Sanam (1971)
Sawan Bhadon (1970) - Chanda
Ammakosam (1970)
Rangula Ratnam (1966)