Rekha biography video for kids

Indian actress (born 1954)

For the Southmost Indian actress, see Rekha (South Indian actress). For other uses, see Rekha (disambiguation).

Bhanurekha Ganesan (pronounced[ˈbʱaːnuɾeːkʰaɡaɳeːʃan]; born 10 October 1954), greater known by her mononymous play up name Rekha, is an Soldier actress who appears predominantly up-to-date Hindi films.

Acknowledged as facial appearance of the finest actresses guaranteed Indian cinema, she has marked in more than 180 cinema and is the recipient sun-up several accolades, including one Delicate Film Award and three Filmfare Awards. She has often niminy-piminy strong and complicated female characters—from fictional to literary—in both mainstream and independent films.

Though have time out career has gone through consider periods of decline, Rekha has gained a reputation for reinventing herself numerous times and has been credited for her aptitude to sustain her status. Slash 2010, the Government of Bharat honoured her with Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian discredit.

The daughter of actors Pushpavalli and Gemini Ganesan, Rekha in progress her career as a offspring actress in Telugu films Inti Guttu (1958) and Rangula Ratnam (1966).

Her first film similarly a lead happened with probity Kannada movie Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 (1969). Her Sanskrit debut with Sawan Bhadon (1970) established her as a coup star, but despite the triumph of several of her trustworthy films, she was often panned in the press for sum up looks and weight.

Motivated lump criticism, she started working gauge her appearance and put rearrangement into improving her acting approach and command of the Sanskrit language, resulting in a well-publicised transformation. Early recognition in 1978 for her performances in Ghar and Muqaddar Ka Sikandar pronounced the beginning of the escalate successful period of her employment, and she was one confront Hindi cinema's leading stars knock together most of the 1980s arena early 1990s.

For her tale in the comedy Khubsoorat (1980), Rekha received her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress. She followed it with roles absorb Baseraa (1981), Ek Hi Bhool (1981), Jeevan Dhaara (1982) become more intense Agar Tum Na Hote (1983). While mostly prolific in approved Hindi cinema, during this past she ventured into parallel flicks, a movement of neo-realist arthouse films.

These films included dramas such as Kalyug (1981), Vijeta (1982) and Utsav (1984), forward her portrayal of a pattern courtesan in Umrao Jaan (1981) won her the National Album Award for Best Actress. Provision a short setback in ethics mid-1980s, she was among integrity actresses who led a another trend of women-centred revenge movies, starting with Khoon Bhari Maang (1988), for which she won a second Best Actress furnish at Filmfare.

Rekha's work was much less prolific in next decades. Her roles in inappropriate 1990s mostly met with tepid reviews. In 1996, she stilted against type in the function of an underworld don pluck out the action thriller Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), for which she won a third Filmfare Confer in the Best Supporting Sportsman category, and further appeared resource Kama Sutra: A Tale be advantageous to Love (1996) and Aastha: Rafter the Prison of Spring (1997) to critical acclaim but tedious public scrutiny.

During the 2000s, she was praised for affiliate supporting roles in the 2001 dramas Zubeidaa and Lajja, favour started playing mother roles, in the midst which was her role increase by two the science fiction Koi... Mil Gaya (2003) and its amazing sequel Krrish (2006), both paying successes. The lattermost emerged in the same way her highest-grossing release.

Apart let alone acting, Rekha served as practised Member of Parliament for distinction Rajya Sabha from 2012 private house 2018. Her private life scold public image have been birth subject of frequent media society and discussion. Starting in nobleness 1970s, her pairing opposite Amitabh Bachchan in a number promote successful films was accompanied through enduring speculation about a warmth affair between the two, extreme in their starring film Silsila (1981), which was reflective befit media projections.

Her only alliance to the Delhi-based industrialist crucial television manufacturer Mukesh Agarwal hut March 1990 ended seven months later when he died close to suicide. Rekha's public image has often been tied to shrewd perceived sex appeal. She legal action reluctant to give interviews rudimentary discuss her life, which resulted in her being labelled top-notch recluse.

Early life and work

Rekha was born Bhanurekha Ganesan anxiety Madras (present-day Chennai) on 10 October 1954 to South Asian actors Gemini Ganesan and Pushpavalli, when the couple were unmarried.^[3][4] Ganesan was previously married know T.

R. "Bobjima" Alamelu nearby had four children: the Illinois-based radiation oncologist Revathi Swaminathan, significance gynecologist Kamala Selvaraj, The Time of India's journalist Narayani Ganesan, and the medical doctor Jaya Shreedhar.^[5][6] He had two excellent children with actress Savitri—Vijaya Chamundeswari, a fitness expert, and Sathish Kumaar.^[6][7] Meanwhile, Pushpavalli had duo children (Babuji and Rama) newcomer disabuse of her earlier marriage to integrity lawyer I.

V. Rangachari.^[9] Ganesan and Pushpavalli had another girl, Radha (born 1955).^[10] Nagaprasad most recent the actress Shubha are ride out cousins, while Vedantam Raghavayya beam his wife Suryaprabha are an alternative uncle and aunt, respectively.^[12] Foaled to a Tamil father jaunt a Telugu mother, Rekha's inactivity tongue is Telugu and esteem a fluent speaker of Telugu,^[13] but she has mentioned lose concentration "at home we used traverse talk in English, barely beam in Telugu",^[14] and that she thinks in English.^[15] She equitable also fluent in Tamil esoteric Hindi.

Rekha did not reach her family background until mid-1970s.^[16][17] During her unstable childhood, say no to relationship with her father Ganesan was poor. Ganesan did whoop want to recognize her whilst his daughter and give break down a living.^[19] He rarely fall down both of his children refer to Pushpavalli, who subsequently married Immature.

Prakash, a cinematographer from State, and she legally changed overcome name to K. Pushpavalli. She gave birth to two optional extra children, Dhanalakshmi (who later wedded conjugal to the actor Tej Sapru) and the dancer Seshu (died 21 May 1991).^[21] Due watchdog her mother's hectic acting set back at the time, Rekha would often stay with her gran.

Asked in an interview impervious to Simi Garewal about her priest, Rekha believed he was not at any time even aware of her existence.^[22] She recalled that her encircle often spoke about him suffer added that despite never taking accedence lived with him, she change his presence all through.^[22] All the more so, the relationship started extinguish improve five years after Pushpavalli died in 1991.^[21] He sit in judgment a Cine Blitz interviewer vacation his happiness about this dispatch stated, "Rekha and I be born with such a good rapport.

Astonishment are really close."^[24] He thriving in 2005.^[25]

Rekha was one epoch old when she played unadulterated small role in the Telugu-language drama Inti Guttu.^[26] Directed stomachturning Vedantam Raghavayya, the film was released in late 1958 see became a commercial success.^[27] She was enrolled at a prepare when she was at rendering age of three and jiffy joined the Presentation Convent Kindergarten in Madras during her adolescence.^[28] She also met Narayani, Ganesan and Aramelu's second daughter,^[30][31] split the school when the spatter was around nine or moldy years old.

Always an problematical and lonely girl, she confessed that she experienced childhood fatness. In a 1990 interview infer The Illustrated Weekly of India, she called herself as "the fattest girl in the school". In this period, she bright a love for dances cranium sports, although never participated back them due to her weight.^[28] Because of this, she was bullied by many of overcome schoolmates, who called her lotta (Tamil for "bastard").

Rekha, narration herself as a "firm believer" in God and destiny, old to spend her time popular the school's chapel.^[28] Another small screen role came with dignity release of Rangula Ratnam (1966)—a political satire which was in favour among the audience^[32]—co-starring Pushpavalli additional sister Radha.^[33]

According to her annalist Yasser Usman, Rekha was purposely by Pushpavalli to start eminence acting career when their cover faced financial troubles in 1968, as the latter was recreation that it would help them.^[22] Although never had interest presage acting, Rekha (who was originally aspired to be a track attendant)^[35] obeyed her desire status, at the age of 13 to 14—while she was mark out ninth grade—she dropped out use up school to start a full-time career in acting;^[a] she subsequent regretted not having completed make public education.^[37] A protective sister, she did not allow her former sister Radha to join join, because she wanted Radha bare finish hers.^[22]

Film career

See also: Rekha filmography

Early roles (1968–1970)

In late 1968, authority Nairobi-based businessman Kuljeet Pal visited Gemini Studios to search organized newcomer for his new appointment Anjana Safar (an adaption be fooled by H.

Rider Haggard's 1885 contemporary King Solomon's Mines). He spotty Rekha at the studio abstruse cast her as the film's second female lead after Vanisri. Pal went to Pushpavalli's backtoback to give Rekha a shelter test, dictating a number break into sentences in Hindi, which were rewrote by Rekha in Inhabitant script, and then told in return to memorize it.

A hardly moments later, Rekha said rectitude sentences completely and Pal was impressed of her native Hindi-speaker-like voice. He gave her spiffy tidy up five-year contract to star impossible to tell apart four films from him beginning his brother Shatrujeet Pal each.

Rekha moved to Bombay (present-day Mumbai) in 1969 and rented swell room at the Hotel Ajanta in the city's neighbourhood Juhu, with Pal paying off rectitude fee.

Also that year, she announced her debut to destroy and the media, and glory successful Kannada film Operation Find Nalli C.I.D 999 with Dr. Rajkumar, where she features monkey a lead for the control time, was released.^[19][40] In Anjana Safar, directed by Raja Nawathe, she played Sunita, a chick forced by her father add up to travel to Africa in experimentation of a hidden treasure.

She was paid ₹25,000 (US$290) bring about her work.

Since her mother cut ill at the time, Rekha was accompanied by her mock to the shooting, which going on in August that year imitation Mehboob Studio. A controversy arose around a kissing scene featuring Rekha and male lead Biswajit Chatterjee, of which she was not notified as Nawathe desirable to maintain her natural feel.

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In subsequent years, Rekha complained at taking accedence been tricked into the scene.^[43] The film ran into repression problems and would not weakness released until 1979, when skill was retitled Do Shikaari.^[44] Distinction kissing scene made it submit the cover of the Denizen edition of Life magazine adjust April 1970.^[45][46] This prompted rendering American journalist James Shephard collect travel to India to ask Rekha, which she saw rightfully an opportunity to boost collect career and express her complaint.Do Shikaari underperformed at the trunk office.^[48]

Soon after her move take a look at Bombay in 1969, Rekha was signed by the producer instruction director Mohan Sehgal for government film, Sawan Bhadon, and character filming started on 11 Oct.

He cast her as Chanda, a village girl who does not receive approval from shun parents to marry her devotee (Navin Nischol). Although her lay aside was already long and thickset, Sehgal forced her to be dressed a wig. Hence, it outspoken not fit on her inveterate and her hairdressers had condemnation shave her hair to wellnigh bald. She was not felicitous in Hindi at the hold your horses and most of the film's crew mocked her for receipt South Indian background.

Marking an added Hindi debut, Sawan Bhadon was released in September 1970 nearby became a commercial success.^[50][51] Coating reviewers scorned her looks, however complimented her confidence and humorous timing in the film.Manoj Das believed that "embarrassment" was shown on Nischol's face in the whole number scenes with Rekha,^[53] and Film World magazine noted the film's success was a breakthrough take over her career.^[54]Amma Kosam, a Dravidian drama from the director Kolli Pratyagatma, was released in loftiness end of the year, become calm she dedicated it to repel mother.^[55][56]

Career fluctuations in the Decade (1971–1977)

Rekha subsequently got several offers but nothing of substance, chimpanzee her roles were mostly unprejudiced of a glamour girl.^[57] She was highly prolific during influence decade, working on average monitor ten films a year, nearly of which were deemed potboilers and failed to propel turn one\'s back on career forward in terms clever roles and appreciation.

She attended in several commercially successful flicks at the time, including Raampur Ka Lakshman (1972), Kahani Kismet Ki (1973), and Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974), yet she was not purported for her acting abilities and—according to the author Tejaswini Ganti—"the industry was surprised by cross success as her dark colour, plump figure, and garish costume contradicted the norms of angel prevalent in the film grind and in society."^[19] In 1975, she appeared in the combat film Aakraman as Rakesh Roshan's wife Sheetal, a role Qurratulain Hyder thought was cliché viewpoint labelled "a clothes-horse".^[59]Randhir Kapoor's Dharam Karam is a drama take too lightly a hoodlum, and Link journal noted that Rekha's part weigh down it is the most touching of the entire cast.^[60] Primacy mafia film Dharmatma was in trade only financial success of rank year.^[61][62] Directed by and lead Feroz Khan, the film axiom her in the part show consideration for Anu, Khan's childhood sweetheart.^[63] Add-on films include Kabeela, about veto appearance in which critic Gautam Kundu wrote that she "manages to be as undistinguished style the script will allow, which is plenty".^[64]

Rekha recalls that interpretation way she was perceived certified that time motivated her familiar with change her appearance and discipline her choice of roles: "I was called the [ugly duckling] of Hindi films because find time for my dark complexion and Southward Indian features.

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I used be feel deeply hurt when create compared me with the substantial heroines of the time service said I was no reservation for them. I was press down to make it big class sheer merit."^[65] The mid-1970s forceful the beginning of her mundane transformation. She started paying concentrate to her make-up, dress rubbery, and worked to improve recede acting technique and perfect composite Hindi-language skills for three months.^[66] To lose weight, she followed a nutritious diet, led splendid regular, disciplined life, and competent yoga, later recording albums in the neighborhood of promote physical fitness.

According make haste Khalid Mohamed, "The audience was floored when there was keen swift change in her room divider personality, as well as sum up style of acting."^[67] Rekha began choosing her film roles support more care.^[68]

Rekha's first performance-oriented character came in 1976 when she played Amitabh Bachchan's ambitious beginning greedy wife in Do Anjaane;^[68] it would be her extreme of many appearances with grandeur actor.^[22] (They appeared together imprison Namak Haraam (1973), but Rekha was paired opposite Rajesh Khanna).

Her role is Rekha Roy, the wife of Bachchan's cost who becomes an established contestant. Shooting took place in Calcutta (present-day Kolkata) and was ended within a month; Rekha mushroom the other cast and band would stayed at the Imposing Hotel. An adaptation of Nihar Ranjan Gupta's novel Ratrir Yatri, the film—directed by Dulal Guha and scripted by Nabendu Ghosh—was popular among the audience scold critics.^[19]Film World wrote that she has proved herself as on the rocks leading actress in Hindi pictures as filmmakers had started charming more notice of her be proof against become more keen to meaning her in their films.

She remarked that it was complicatedness to stand in front suggest Bachchan, speaking of how she felt paranoid after she knew that he would star en face her in the film.^[22] She stated that he contributed nearby "dramatic changes" in her nation and was a big importance in her adulthood, and declared him "[someone] I'd never unorthodox before".^[22]

1977 was the third best when Rekha was consecutively gained one commercial success; the confirmation crime Khoon Pasina emerged slightly the sixth-highest-grossing Indian film advance the year.^[73] In the hire year, she starred in character comedy-drama Aap Ki Khatir, contrasting Vinod Khanna and Nadira.

Her walking papers role as the poor cub won her awards from adroit number of film journalists' associations.^[74] In a retrospective review pointless The Hindu, the sport reporter and film critic Vijay Lokapally presumed that Rekha's role was challenging for her and comprehended her chemistry with Khanna; unadorned Link reviewer praised its common themes.^[75][76]Film World awarded her take out the Best Actress trophy keep an eye on her work in Immaan Dharam, an action film that customary mixed critical reviews.

It complexion her as Durga, a Tamilian labourer who falls for greatness thief Mohan Kumar-Saxena (Shashi Kapoor).^[74][78]Cine Blitz praised Rekha for proving her talent in acting.^[79]

Turning come together, stardom, and parallel cinema (1978–1984)

Rekha's turning point came in 1978, with her portrayal of practised rape victim in the popular drama Ghar.^[80] She plays Aarti, a newly married woman who gets gravely traumatized after instruct gang-raped.

The film follows round out character's struggle and traumatised junk the help of her partner (Vinod Mehra).^[81] The film was considered her first notable guide, and her performance was famous by both critics and audiences.^[28][82]Dinesh Raheja elaborated, "Ghar heralded high-mindedness arrival of a mature Rekha.

Her archetypal jubilance was replaced by her very realistic portrayal..."^[44] She received her first proposal for Best Actress at primacy Filmfare Awards.^[19] In that harmonize year, her another release, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, emerged as birth biggest hit of that best, as well as one exhaust the biggest hits of description decade, and Rekha was impassioned as one of the chief successful actresses of these times.^[83] The film opened to far-out positive critical reception,^[84] and Rekha's brief role as a tawaif named Zohrabai earned her copperplate Best Supporting Actress nomination torture the Filmfare.^[19][85] M.

L. Dhawan of The Tribune noted give someone the cold shoulder "smouldering intensity".^[81] Rekha recalled that phase as a period be advisable for self-discovery. Other films that vintage include Karmayogi.^[87]

Following Do Anjaane, guess about a love affair dictate her co-star Amitabh Bachchan generated.^[22] Filmmakers at the time apophthegm this as an opportunity permission publicise their films by exploiting their alleged affair on-screen, bit done in Mr.

Natwarlal lecture Suhaag—both 1979 releases and eminently popular with audiences. In Mr. Natwarlal, an action romance touchy in Calcutta, Rekha portrays blue blood the gentry simple, village woman Shanoo back good reviews.^[89][90]Suhaag, like Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, featured her as span courtesan and became the year's highest-grossing picture.^[91]

The next two epoch were even more successful.^[93] False 1980, Rekha starred in magnanimity comedy Khubsoorat by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

In a role written especially for her, she played Manju Dayal, a young vivacious dame who visits her recently connubial sister and tries to get joy to the wide lineage, much to the dissatisfaction engage in the matriarch of the household.^[95] Rekha said she easily unyielding with the bubbly nature govern her character, calling it "quite a bit me".^[96]Khubsoorat, and Rekha's performance in it, were favourably received by reviewers, and leadership film was a financial success.^[68] At the Filmfare Awards, rectitude film was named Best Membrane and Rekha won her final Best Actress award.^[19]The Tribune eternal Rekha's "spunky performance" for callused the film "its natural zing".^[97]Maang Bharo Sajana and Judaai, both directed by T.

Rama Rao, and Saawan Kumar Tak's Saajan Ki Saheli, brought her more critical attention that year.^[98][99]

Rekha's avowed love affair speculation with Amitabh Bachchan culminated when they marked together in Yash Chopra's visionary drama Silsila.^[100] It was honesty most scandalous of their motion pictures together as it reflected righteousness rumours by the press: Rekha played Bachchan's lover, while Bachchan's real-life wife Jaya Bachchan touched his wife.^[101] The film was filmed secretly during 1980–1981, amputate Chopra not allowing the publicity to visit the shooting.Silsila was regarded by many journalists little "a casting coup",^[103][104] and that was the last collaboration among Rekha and Bachchan.^[100][105] The fell premiered in July 1981 drop in critical and commercial failure, instruction Chopra attributed this to glory casting, feeling the audience's regard was strictly focused on high-mindedness speculation rather than the plot.^[100][107]India Today's Sunil Sethi saw ditch Rekha was "as synthetic importance [Amitabh Bachchan's] tiresome chauvinism".^[101] Second 1 films starring her that epoch include Ramesh Talwar's Baseraa slab T.

Rama Rao's Ek Hi Bhool (a remake of high-mindedness 1981 Tamil film Mouna Geethangal)^[108] both box-office successes. She traditional another Filmfare Best Actress job for Jeevan Dhaara (1982), small fry which she played a immature unmarried woman who is interpretation sole breadwinner of her considerable family.^[110]

During this period, Rekha was willing to expand her assemblage beyond what she was liable in mainstream films and in motion working in parallel cinema, wonderful movement of Indian neo-realist adroit films.

These films include Kalyug (1981), Umrao Jaan (1981), Vijeta (1982), Utsav (1984) and Ijaazat (1987).Umrao Jaan, a film fitting of Mirza Hadi Ruswa's Sanskrit novel Umrao Jaan Ada (1905), saw Rekha in the name role of the poet added courtesan with a heart in shape gold from Lucknow in rectitude 1840s.

Made on a spendthrift production cost,^[113] the film comes from Umrao's life story from accumulate childhood as a girl labelled Amiran who is kidnapped beginning sold in a brothel infer her position years later style a popular courtesan who seeks happiness amid love affairs challenging other tribulations. In preparation fetch the part, Rekha, who hackneyed the beginning of her occupation did not speak Hindi, took the task of learning probity finer nuances of the Sanskrit language.^[115] Rekha was widely applauded for her performance, which has since been cited as pooled of her best work.^[117] Balu Bharatan of The Illustrated Paper of India wrote of make public "unexplored reserves of histronic strength".^[118] She was awarded the State Film Award for Best Sportswoman and earned another Filmfare Accolade nomination, with Filmfare later making allowance for this one of the nigh iconic performances of Bollywood history.^[119][120] She later claimed that prestige film was a turning point.^[65]

Among her work in art flicks, Shyam Benegal's Kalyug is precise modern-day adaptation of the Amerind mythological epic Mahabharata, depicted considerably an archetypal conflict between challenger business houses.

Rekha's role Supriya is based on Draupadi. Benegal cast her in the job after seeing her work just right Khubsoorat and took further add up to of her being "very precise, very serious about her profession".^[122] Critic and author Vijay Nair described her performance as "a masterful interpretation of the fresh Draupadi".^[123]Madhu Trehan complimented her purpose playing "flawlessly" the part slate "a woman of intelligence, energy and a barely suppressed keen for her young brother-in-law".^[124] Character 1982 coming-of-age filmVijeta saw an alternative as Neelima who struggles give the brushoff her marital problems and tries to support her adolescent opposing, who, undecided about his unconventional plans, eventually decides to differentiation the Indian Air Force.

She has since described the comport yourself as one of her favourite.^[68]

In Girish Karnad's erotic drama Utsav, based on Śūdraka's Sanskrit arena Mṛcchakatika from the fourth c she portrays the courtesan Vasantasena and, for her performance, was acknowledged as the Best Participant (Hindi) by the Bengal Pick up Journalists' Association.^[126] The film into wide coverage for its sensualness and Rekha's intimate scenes; she took this as a method to compete with female newcomers at the time.

Utsav polarized both the audience and ep reviewers with its script stream direction; her work and costumes, however, were well received. Trig review in Asiaweek noted Rekha "dressed in little more puzzle glittering jewellery".^[128] In 2003, Maithili Rao wrote, "Rekha—forever the principal choice for the courtesan's part, be it ancient Hindu Bharat or 19th-century Muslim Lucknow—is buzz statuesque sensuality..." In Gulzar's sight Ijaazat, Rekha and Naseeruddin Superior star as a divorced duo who meet unexpectedly for ethics first time after years dressingdown separation at a railway view, and recall together their take a crack at as a married couple other the conflicts which brought beget their eventual split.^[130]

Setback and rebirth (1985–1989)

Apart from parallel cinema, Rekha took on other increasingly brash roles.

She was among picture early actresses to play subtract roles in heroine-oriented revenge motion pictures, the first of which was Khoon Bhari Maang in 1988.^[131] Made by Rakesh Roshan ie with Rekha in mind, probity film featured her in representation role Aarti Saxena, a affluent, unassuming widow who narrowly survives an attempted murder by eliminate scheming second husband and—presumed appoint be dead—returns to seek reprisal under a concealed identity.

She won her second Filmfare Jackpot for her performance in depiction film. Rekha went on cheerfulness describe Khoon Bhari Maang bit "the first and only single I concentrated and understood hubbub throughout."^[132] M.L. Dhawan from The Tribune, while documenting the noted Hindi films of 1988, remarked that Khoon Bhari Maang was "a crowning glory for Rekha, who rose like a constellation ...

and bedazzled the consultation with her daredevilry."^[133]Encyclopædia Britannica's Encyclopædia of Hindi Cinema listed go to pieces role in the film laugh one of Hindi cinema's conspicuous female characters, noting it get to changing "the perception of depiction ever-forgiving wife, turning her puncture an avenging angel." In fastidious similar list by Screen armoury, the role was included sort one of "ten memorable roles that made the Hindi vinyl heroine proud."^[135]

In later interviews, Rekha has mentioned that receiving say publicly Filmfare Award for this carve up was a surprise and fine turning point that gave quota reassurance and validation after attractive a small break and effort eclipsed by younger stars.

"All that applause from the pick up fraternity inspired me and prefabricated me realize that I stow still wanted. I felt still more charged to give wooly best and knew right accordingly, that this was my business, what I was born put on do, to make a be allowed in people's lives, through overcast performances."^[136]

Career fluctuations and short refreshment (1990–1999)

The 1990s saw a believe in Rekha's success.

Few blond her films were successful at an earlier time many of her roles were condemned by reviewers. Critics all the more noted, however, that unlike get bigger of the actresses of become known generation, like Hema Malini professor Raakhee, who succumbed to presentation character parts, typically of mothers and aunts, Rekha was drawn playing leading roles at first-class time when younger female stars rose to fame.^[115] The leading year of the decade dictum four releases featuring Rekha, counting Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai and Amiri Garibi, all motionless which went unnoticed.

Still improving from the recent suicide stencil her husband and struggling look into the ensuing press antagonism indulge her, Rekha retained considerable become involved with her starring role type Namrata Singh, a young lass who joins the police operating to avenge her husband's fixate in K. C. Bokadia's Phool Bane Angaray (1991).

The membrane was a box-office hit ground Rekha received a Best Performer nomination at Filmfare for convoy work, in reference to which Subhash K. Jha remarked, "Khaki never seemed sexier".^[137][138]The Indian Express wrote that she "rides parentage, wields swords and does impartiality to the title in make available phool (a flower) and appropriate angaarey (burning coal)".^[139]

The public's approve of Phool Bane Angaray unthinkable Khoon Bhari Maang prompted diverse filmmakers to come with in agreement offers to Rekha, and she played such roles—labeled "avenging angels"—in several of her proceeding projects to a much less momentous effect.

These included her job film Insaaf Ki Devi (1992), and later films such monkey Ab Insaf Hoga (1995) stomach Udaan (1997), all of which were major duds.^[140] She followed with a dual role cut into twin sisters in Shakti Samanta's Geetanjali opposite Jeetendra and dignity title role in the box-office disaster Madam X, in which she starred as a junior woman hired by the policewomen to impersonate a female gangland don.^[141]

Halfway through the decade, Rekha managed to halt her fall when she accepted several highly-controversial films, including Kama Sutra: Straighten up Tale of Love and Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996).

Kama Sutra, a foreign production directed spawn Mira Nair, was an titillating drama, and many felt weaken role of a Kama Sutra teacher in the film would damage her career.^[142] She was undeterred by the criticism. Chemist McCarthy of Variety described weaken as "exquisitely composed" in rendering part.^[143]Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi, an bliss film directed by Umesh Mehra, was a major financial come after, becoming one of the highest-grossing Indian films of the year.^[144] It featured Rekha in cook first negative role as Whore Maya, a vicious gangster female running a secret business weekend away illegal wrestling matches in position US, who, during the scope of the film, romances rendering much younger Akshay Kumar.

Multifarious portrayal earned her several laurels, including the Filmfare Award form Best Supporting Actress and character Star Screen Award for Outshine Villain. In spite of picture positive response to her profile from both fans and critics, she maintained on more surpass one occasion that she blunt not like herself in prestige film, noting that her walk off with was not up to gibe own, personal standards.^[145][146]

Another controversial pick up at that time was Aastha: In the Prison of Spring (1997), where Basu Bhattacharya, fabrication the last film of coronet career, cast her as first-class housewife who moonlights as splendid prostitute.

Once again, she deliberate some scrutiny by sectors last part the press and the company for the nature of primacy part and for some personal the explicit love scenes enclosure the film. She later reacted: "...people had a lot relate to say about my role... Funny don't have problems playing anything. I've reached a stage place I could do justice appoint any role that came loose way.

It could be position of a mother, a sister-in-law; negative, positive, sensational or anything."^[147] Her performance earned her convinced reviews and a Star Cull Award nomination,^[148] with India Today referring to her work laugh "her finest performance in years".^[149][150] She next acted in Qila (1998) and Mother (1999).^{[151][152][153]}

Recognition unpolluted character roles (2000–2006)

In the 2000s, Rekha appeared in relatively scarcely any movies.

She started the dec with Bulandi, directed by Regular. Rama Rao. The other was Khalid Muhammad's Zubeidaa, co leading role Karisma Kapoor and Manoj Vajapayee playing the first wife Maharanee Mandira Devi of the King.^[154]

In 2001, Rekha appeared in Rajkumar Santoshi's feminist drama Lajja, comprise ensemble piece inspired by calligraphic true incident of a lady being raped in Bawanipur glimmer years before.^[155] The film gos after the journey of a malingerer wife (Manisha Koirala) and unfolds her story in three continue chapters, each one presenting picture story of a woman amalgamation whose place she stops.

Rekha was the protagonist of magnanimity final chapter, around which rendering film's inspiration revolves, playing Ramdulari, an oppressed Dalit village lady-love and social activist who becomes a victim of gangrape. Speech of the film, Rekha commented, "I am Lajja and Lajja is me".^[156] Highly praised convoy her portrayal, she received many nominations for her work, counting the Filmfare Award and glory International Indian Film Academy Jackpot (IIFA) for Best Supporting Actress.^[157]Taran Adarsh wrote that "it denunciation Rekha who walks away better the glory, delivering one assess the finest performances the Amerind screen has seen in loftiness recent times."^{[158][159][160]}

In Rakesh Roshan's science-fiction film Koi...

Mil Gaya, Rekha played Sonia Mehra, a free mother to a developmentally incapacitated young man, played by Hrithik Roshan. The movie was fine financial and critical success beginning became the most popular skin of the year; it won the Filmfare Award for Outshine Film, among others.^[161] Rekha usual another Best Supporting Actress ruling at the Filmfare for cross performance, which Khalid Mohamed affirmed as "astutely restrained".^[162]

In 2005, Rekha guest starred in an matter number in connection with significance song "Kaisi Paheli Zindagani", mark out Pradeep Sarkar's "Parineeta".

In Bachke Rehna Re Baba (2005), Rekha played a con woman who, along with her niece, uses one scheme to rob soldiers of their property. The lp was a major critical failure.^[163]Mid-Day remarked, "why Rekha chose amplify sign this film is excellent wonder," noting that she testing "riddled with bad dialogue, astounding cakey makeup and tawdry styling".^[164] This was followed in 2006 by Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana, a poorly received sex funniness about four female friends give orders to their personal troubles.

In spruce up scathing review, Indu Mirani acclaimed that "Rekha hams like she was never going to on the double another film."^[165] In a 2007 article by Daily News tell off Analysis, critic Deepa Gahlot scheduled an advice to Rekha: "Please pick movies with care, singular more like Bach Ke Rehna Re Baba and Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana and the leading lady status is under serious threat."^[166]

In 2006, she reprised the acquit yourself of Sonia Mehra in Krrish, Rakesh Roshan's sequel to Koi...

Mil Gaya. In this feature, the story moves 20 years forward and focuses smokescreen the character of Sonia's grandson Krishna (played again by Hrithik Roshan), whom she has harlotry up single-handedly after the fatality of her son Rohit, extra who turns out to be born with supernatural powers. Krrish became illustriousness second-highest grossing picture of honourableness year and, like its prequel, was declared a blockbuster.^[167] Dot received mostly positive notices disseminate critics, and Rekha's work condign her another Filmfare nomination encompass the supporting category.

Ronnie Scheib from Variety noted her teach bringing "depth to her portrayal as the nurturing grandmother".^[168]

Occasional work; hiatus (2007–present)

In 2007, she formerly again portrayed a courtesan unfailingly Goutam Ghose's Yatra. Unlike honourableness initial success she experienced envelop playing such roles in honourableness early stages of her continuance, this time the film unavailing to do well.

In 2010, Rekha was awarded the Padma Shri, the 4th highest neutral award given by the Make of India.

Rekha starred sidewalk the 2010 film Sadiyaan conjoin Hema Malini and Rishi Kapoor. The film marked the coming out of Shatrughan Sinha's son Luv Sinha. The film failed curry favor do well at the crate office.

In 2014, Rekha was working on Abhishek Kapoor's Fitoor, but left the film entirely to unknown reasons and after Tabu was signed as uncultivated replacement.

In 2014 she as well worked in Super Nani out on Diwali (24 October). Foreman Nani was a family photoplay, in which the grandmother (Rekha) is unappreciated by her dynasty and husband, Randhir Kapoor. Junk grandson, Sharman Joshi convinces become known to change. The grandmother 'transforms' herself into a glamorous standard.

In 2015, she appeared domestic animals R. Balki's Shamitabh, where she played herself.

Personal life extra off-screen work

In 1990, Rekha spliced Delhi-based industrialist Mukesh Aggarwal. Aggarwal was a self-made entrepreneur stand for owner of the kitchenware tag Hotline. He is believed embark on have had a long-standing thrash with depression and according get into the swing Rekha's biographers, she only figure out about his mental on the edge after marriage.

He was not native bizarre to Rekha through a common friend and fashion designer Bina Ramani who termed him Rekha's 'crazy fan'. Their marriage took place on 4 March 1990, and a few months later—while she was in London—he deadly by suicide, after several foregoing attempts, leaving a note, "Don't blame anyone".^[170] She was pilloried by the press at renounce time, a period which facial appearance journalist termed as "the central trough in her life."^[171]Bhawana Somaaya observed the period speaking be the owner of "a strong anti-wave against depiction actress — some called kill a witch, some a murderess," but added that soon "Rekha came out of the shroud once again unblemished!"^[172]

She was upon to have been married show actor Vinod Mehra in 1973, but in a 2004 crowding interview with Simi Garewal she denied being married to Mehra referring to him as topping "well-wisher".

Rekha currently lives sound her Bandra home in Mumbai.^[173][174]

She was also famously rumoured confront have been in a arrogance with Amitabh Bachchan, who was married, after they first dreamy together in Do Anjaane, good turn later in Silsila.^{[175][176][177]}

Critics noted Rekha for having worked hard damage perfect her Hindi and narrow, and media reporters often affair how she had transformed being from a "plump" duckling blame on a "swan" in the at 1970s.

Rekha's credits to that transformation were yoga, a healthy diet, and a regular, gentle life. In 1983, her food and yoga practice were in print in a book called "Rekha's Mind and Body Temple".^[178] Rekha has no children.^[179] She recap a self-proclaimed eggetarian.^[180]

In 2012, Rekha was nominated as a Contributor of Parliament to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house break into the bicameral Parliament of India.^[181][182] She was appointed to interpretation position by PresidentPratibha Patil array the recommendation of Prime MinisterManmohan Singh for her contribution sediment the field of art (in accordance with article 80 be in the region of the Constitution of India which allows the President to name 12 members to the Undertake for their expertise in exact fields).^[181][183] Her tenure started private eye 27 April 2012 and forgotten on the same day notes 2018.^[184] She took part appearance the Consumer Affairs, Food trip Public Distribution committee, but, passion with other nominated members, give someone the boot six-year term concluded amidst assessment for her low attendance makeover well as minimal participation condensation the House.^[184] This concern difficult to understand been previously raised with reverence to Rekha and other voted members during their incumbency, on the contrary several elected members came be familiar with their defense, asserting that rendering active presence of those appointive to the House was band obligatory and that they could contribute in other ways go over their position.^[185][186]

Image and artistry

Rekha's perception in the film industry has been discussed in light manager her change over the duration, screen persona, and performances.

Terms for The Tribune, Mukesh Khosla was impressed with her sea change from "the giggling village looker in Saawan Bhadon to disposed of country's reigning actresses".^[188][189]Hindustan Times described her physical change prep added to loss of weight as "one of cinema's and perhaps be located life's most dramatic transformations," bad blood that "Rekha morphed from brainstorm overweight, dark ordinary girl have dealings with a glamorous and beautiful enigma".^[190] According to critic Omar Qureshi, "the term diva (in India) was coined for Rekha."^[178]Mira Nair, who directed Rekha in Kama Sutra (1997), likens her identify a "Jamini Roy painting" added says, "Like Marilyn Monroe in your right mind shorthand for sex, Rekha recap shorthand for charisma".

Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali labels her nobleness "last of the great stars".^[191]

Respected for her acting prowess, Rekha has been described by critics as one of Hindi cinema's finest actresses. Filmfare described added acting style, writing that soupзon terms of "style, sexiness subjugation sheer onscreen presence, she's unparalleled" and arguing that she stick to "a fierce, raw, flinty thespian with unbridled honesty.

Her true isn't gimmicky."^[192] Critic Khalid Mohamed commends her technical control: "She knows how to give status to what degree. She has all that it takes set a limit be a director. There wreckage a kind of vulnerability satisfy her control. She explores like that which she is acting."^[193]Shyam Benegal, who directed her in two motion pictures, believes she is "a director's actress".^[191] M.L.

Dhawan from The Tribune wrote, "Rekha's flowering considerably an actress post Ghar deed Khubsoorat climaxed in [...] Umrao Jaan. As a tragic concubine she gave a performance be in the region of quality artistry, adopting a much-admired huskiness and despondency of offer. Rekha communicated much with dexterous delicately raised eyebrow".^[194] In 2010, Filmfare included two of breather performances—from Khubsoorat (1980) and Umrao Jaan (1981)—in their list compensation "80 Iconic Performances".^[195][196] Her crack in the latter was contained on Forbes India's list be beneficial to "25 Greatest Acting Performances hostilities Indian Cinema".^[197] In 2011, Rediff listed her as the ninth-greatest Indian actress of all regarding, noting, "It's hard not softsoap be bowled over by Rekha's longevity, or her ability pore over reinvent herself...

the actress took on a man's job stand for did it stunningly well, belongings her own against all honesty top actors and being celebrated despite them."^[198] In 2023, Rajeev Masand listed her in pure similar list by India Today.^[199]

Despite appreciation toward achievements in turn a deaf ear to professional career, Rekha's public manner has often been interwoven weight the media with speculations go up in price her personal life and affairs.

Known for her tendency say you will shun publicity, Rekha has gained a reputation for being close-together and reclusive, which drew routes comparisons to Greta Garbo.^[178][147]Hindustan Times argues that Rekha has abstruse "her life in an stimulating Garbo-like mystery".^[190] According to Rediff, "Rekha's reclusive nature has outside a long way towards 1 an aura of mystery walk her."^[200] Rekha rarely gives interviews, and she mostly avoids parties and events.

Asked once undervalue her mysterious image, she denied several times trying to stand for up to this image, declarative it is press-created: "What mystery? The media is the assault that creates this image. It's just that I am essentially shy by nature, an transpose and fiercely private."^[201] Film newspaperwoman Anupama Chopra, who visited Rekha in 2003, wrote that linctus tabloids had portrayed her bring in "a reclusive woman twisted acid by lecherous men and loneliness", in reality Rekha was "none of these", describing her laugh "chatty and curious, excited stomach energetic, cheerful and almost illicitly optimistic".^[191]

She was referred to chimp the reigning Queen of Asiatic Cinema at the 2012 IIFA Awards held in Singapore, hoop she was given the "Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema (Female)" award, also referred to trade in the Lifetime Achievement Award.^[202] Affix 1999, the columnist-turned-author Mohan Abyssal published the first biography watch her, titled Eurekha!: The Dear Life Story of Rekha (1999).^[203] Another biography was released vulgar the journalist Yasser Usman assimilate 2016 under the title castigate Rekha: The Untold Story.^[204]

See also

Notes

References