The extremely versatile Bollywood actress Rekha is known for her immense potential of portraying various kinds of roles. In fact she is till date regarded as the eternal temptress of the Bollywood Film Industry. Rekha is the daughter of the well-known film star Gemini Ganeshan and another very talented South-Indian film actress Pushpavalli. Born on 10th October 1954, her original name is Bhanurekha.
Rekha`s Film Career
Rekha began her career as a child artist in Rangula Ratnam, a Telugu movie, and debuted as an adult artist in the Kanna movie Goadalli CID 999. In 1970 Rekha made her mainstream debut with the Bollywood movie `Sawan Bhadon with Navin Nischol. Since then she has worked in more than 180 Hindi movies in her career, which stretches up to a period of above 40 years. Throughout the 70s era she remained in the film industry as an insignificant entity with nothing in her kitty except some moderately hit flicks like Kahani Kismat Ki, Raampur Ka Lakshman, Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye and others. However 1980s proved to be the turning point in her life. Her movie Do Anjaane with
Amitabh Bachchan brought her to the lime light. Next she gave her powerhouse performance as a raped victim in Ghar co-starring Vinod Mehra. She won accolades for her acting skills in the movie. Her pairing with Amitabh Bachchan in the movie Muqaddar Ka Sikander became a smashing of the decade. Her role of a courtesan bagged her Filmfare Supporting Actress nomination.
With the emergence of the Bollywood superstar
Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha`s career underwent a second phase of change. Together they delivered super hits like Mr. Natwarlal, Khoon Paseena and Silsila which made them one of the most successful on-screen couples. Rekha`s performances in these movies were highly praised. Her most memorable film however remains
Umrao Jaan. In this film she essayed the role of a court dancer captivating the audience with her mastery of classical dances. The other notable works if her include Ijaazat, Utsav, Basera, Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye and many others. She won accolades for Khoobsurat and Khoon Bhari Mang. In the 1990s her notable works were Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love by Mira Nair and Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi, Lajja, Dil Hai Tumhra, Koi Mil Gaya,
Krrish. She did a cameo role in Parineeta.
Awards and Honours of Rekha
Rekha was awarded the
Filmfare Awards for Best Actress for the movies Khoobsurat and Khoon Bhari Maang. She has even earned the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in Umrao Jaan. The actress got the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award and the Star Screen Award for Best Villain for her role of a gangster woman in Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi. For the movie Koi...Mil Gya Rekha won the Bollywood Movie Award for the Best Supporting Actress. She has also been bestowed with Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2010, Rekha was awarded the Padma Shri, the 4th highest civilian award given by the
Government of India.
On the personal front Rekha got married to a
Delhi-based businessman Mukesh Aggarwal in the year 1990. However, he committed suicide the next year in 1991. About Rekha it can be truly remarked that she is the icon for all the noted film personalities in general and also the supermodel in particular for all the aspiring actors of the Bollywood Film Industry.
