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Rekha

Rekha is a famous Bollywood Actress. Born as Rekha Ganesan on 10 October 1954, Rekha has had a life filled with ups and downs, not unlike a Bollywood drama. All through her film career, she has been under scrutiny by the paparazzi first for the success and then mostly for her personal life. Rekhas journey was not an intended one but rather a decision born out of financial troubles. Though she was the daughter of a famous and highly successful Tamil Director, she was not acknowledged by her father. Her mother, a Telugu actress Pushpavilli had not been doing well. It was due to such circumstances that Rekha decided to start acting at a young age of 13. Her first movie was a Telugu film Rangula Ratnam in 1966 where she was introduced as Baby Bhanurekha. She went on to do a lead role in Kannada movie Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 with Rajkumar in 1969. The film was a critical success and Rekha was acknowledged for her role. However, the struggles were only just beginning for the south Indian actor with unconventional looks. She did get work and the next year two of her films released - Telugu film Amma Kosam and a Hindi film Sawan Bhadon. The latter also marked her debut in the Bollywood film industry. Though the movie was a success, the critics went into overdrive, commenting on Rekhas poor acting, dark skin and uncomely figure. She got several offers in spite of the rude reactions but most of them were rather inconsequential roles like Raampur Ka Lakshman in 1972, Kahani Kismat Ki in 1973, and Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye in 1974. By the end of this era, Rekha was being cast as a glamorous actor but with a limited role platter. She was constantly mocked for her looks and it was then that Rekha decided to transform herself. Following a strict diet and yoga regime, Rekha was able to shed a lot of unwanted kilos. She started paying attention to her dressing sense and make up and also more importantly on the kind of roles she said yes to. She was seen in this new avatar opposite Amitabh Bachchan in the adaptation of Bengali novel Ratrir Yatri in a movie titled Do Anjaane. She received moderate success both with the audience as well as the critics. Her career took a major jump in 1978 with the much acclaimed portrayal of a rape victim in Ghar opposite Vinod Mehra. Her acting of a traumatized rape victim who recuperates under the love and care of her husband was appreciated far and wide and she was effectively established as an actor. She even got a Filmfare nomination for the role. There was no turning back for the actress then when she delivered yet another commercial success opposite Amitabh Bachchan in Muqaddar ka Sikandar released in the same year. 80s was a decade that was ruled by Rekha. Be it the role of a jubilant young girl in Hrishikesh Mukherjees Khoobsurat or a courtesan with a heart of gold in Umrao Jaan. She won a Filmfare Award for Best Actress for the former while a National Award in the same category for the latter movie. She was undoubtedly the most successful actor in the role of a courtesan and has successfully portrayed the many facets of the role in a variety of movies. During this time her affair with superstar Amitabh Bachchan also became the talking point of Bollywood. The actor was married and the gossip magazines went wild running the illicit affair which added on to their success as an on screen couple. They went on to give many successful films together and the affair as well as the on screen pairing ended with the much hyped and successful romantic movies Yash Chopras Silsila. Rekha played the love interest of the male protagonist Amitabh Bachchan while his real life wife Jaya Bachchan played his on screen wife as well. The movie gained tremendous success and was touted even as the real life adaptation of the duos much talked about affair. Though the pairing ended, the affair continues to be one of the most talked bollywood affairs of all times. Rekha went on to do some parallel cinema after this and was much appreciated for her acting in offbeat cinema like Shyam Benegal's award-winning drama, Kalyug in 1981, Govind Nihalani's Vijeta in 1982, Girish Karnad's Utsav in 1984 and Gulzar's Ijaazat in 1987. The success was unparalleled and Rekha had built a strong fan following. Whether it was the sensual portrayal of women or indeed a strong portrayal of modern day Draupadi in Kalyug, she was favourite of the critics and the fans. In 1988 she brought to fore another facet of the female the avenging angel in Rakesh Roshans Khoon Bhari Maang. In the movie, she portrayed the role of a simpleton with tremendous fortune. A widow, her life is thrown into a whirlwind when she is proposed for marriage by a rather eligible bachelor Kabir Bedi. A mother of two, she agrees but is shattered when her husband along with her old friend transpires to kill her and take over her fortune. She returns then to avenge the wrong done to her and her family by becoming a successful model. The industry lapped up her performance and the movie was a big hit. Rekha even won a Filmfare Award for Best Actress for the movie. Her success in the role prompted a lot of similar roles in movies like Phool Bane Angarey and Ab Insaaf Hoga. However, there was a lull in her life after the success of the movie. Rekha married Delhi-based industrialist Mukesh Aggarwal in the year 1990 and one year later while she was in London, her husband committed suicide. The incident cast a long shadow in Rekhas life. Not only was the period a rather sad phase, she was widely ridiculed by media and there was a strong negative wave against the actor in the masses. She had continuous failures and her movies like Madam X, Geetanjali all bombed at the box office. Rekha was however not ready to give up yet and came back with movies like Mira Nairs Kama Sutra and Khiladiyon Ke Khiladi. While in the first she portrayed the role of a teacher who teaches her pupils the subtle art of love making, in the latter she played a negative role as Madam Maya who runs an illegal wrestling game in the USA. She was seen romancing a much younger Akshay Kumar and was hailed by all for her sexy avatar. She went on to win a Filmfare and Star Screen Award for the Best Actor in a negative role for the movie. Rekha had reinvented herself and positioned herself as timeless beauty of Indian cinema. Though the actor has failed to get any success in recent years, she continues to be considered a diva of the Indian Film Industry and invokes a nostalgic feeling amongst many a hearts even to this day.

After Pulwama attack, singers Rekha Bhardwaj and Harshdeep Kaur pull out of event in Lahore
IANS | February 18, 2019 7:52 PM IST
Singers Rekha Bhardwaj and Harshdeep Kaur have withdrawn their names from Shaan-e-Pakistan 2019 gala...
After Pulwama attack, singers Rekha Bhardwaj and Harshdeep Kaur pull out of event in Lahore
indiacom
2019-02-18T08:52:47+00:00
2019-02-18T08:52:47+00:00
Rekha
India.com
Rekha Bharadwaj-Harshdeep Kaur Withdraw Names From Shaan-e-Pakistan Gala, Ali Fazal Cancels Jashn-E-Rekhta in Dubai
India.com Entertainment Desk | February 18, 2019 4:23 PM IST
Singers Rekha Bhardwaj and Harshdeep Kaur have withdrawn their names from Shaan-e-Pakistan 2019 gala...
Rekha Bharadwaj-Harshdeep Kaur Withdraw Names From Shaan-e-Pakistan Gala, Ali Fazal Cancels Jashn-E-Rekhta in
indiacom
2019-02-18T05:23:29+00:00
2019-02-18T05:24:15+00:00
Rekha
India.com
Salman Khan, Rekha, Sonakshi Sinha And Other Bollywood Celebrities Dazzle at Azhar Morani-Tanya Seth's Wedding Reception
India.com Entertainment Desk | February 10, 2019 2:54 PM IST
Azhar Morani, son of Cineyug Entertainment Private Limited's founder, Mohammed Morani, recently tied...
Salman Khan, Rekha, Sonakshi Sinha And Other Bollywood Celebrities Dazzle at Azhar Morani-Tanya Seth's Weddin
indiacom
2019-02-10T03:54:10+00:00
2019-02-10T03:54:10+00:00
Rekha
India.com
[IN PICS] Sonakshi Sinha, Rekha, Iulia Vantur attend Azhar Morani's wedding
Susri Sahu | February 10, 2019 12:00 AM IST
Bollywood sure knows how to party! Be it a big gala for a cause, an award night or just another film...
[IN PICS] Sonakshi Sinha, Rekha, Iulia Vantur attend Azhar Morani's wedding
indiacom
2019-02-09T13:00:25+00:00
2019-02-09T13:27:05+00:00
Rekha
India.com
Rekha's EPIC reaction after realising that she's posing before a pic of Amitabh Bachchan cannot be missed - watch video
Urmimala Banerjee | January 29, 2019 7:42 PM IST
Dabboo Ratnani's calendar launch happened last night at a suburban hotspot. Stars like Kriti Sanon, ...
Rekha's EPIC reaction after realising that she's posing before a pic of Amitabh Bachchan cannot be missed - w
indiacom
2019-01-29T08:42:29+00:00
2019-01-29T08:42:29+00:00
Rekha
India.com
Look who's talking! Wondering what Rekha told Tiger Shroff and Vidya Balan at Dabboo Ratnani's calendar launch? - find out inside
Nirali Kanabar | January 29, 2019 12:38 PM IST
Celebrity and fashion photographer Dabboo Ratnani unveiled the 20th edition of his calendar yesterda...
Look who's talking! Wondering what Rekha told Tiger Shroff and Vidya Balan at Dabboo Ratnani's calendar launc
indiacom
2019-01-29T01:38:27+00:00
2019-01-29T01:38:27+00:00
Rekha
India.com
Guj: 6 kids, cop hurt in R-Day parade motorcycle stunt mishap
PTI Feeds | January 26, 2019 3:27 PM IST
Palanpur, Jan 26 (PTI) Six children and a woman constable riding a stunt motorcycle were Saturday in...
Guj: 6 kids, cop hurt in R-Day parade motorcycle stunt mishap
indiacom
2019-01-26T04:27:14+00:00
2019-01-26T04:27:14+00:00
Rekha
India.com
Regular inspections must to prevent instances of bonded labour in K'taka: NCW
PTI Feeds | January 18, 2019 7:43 PM IST
New Delhi, Jan 18 (PTI) National Commission for Women chairperson Rekha Shama has called for regular...
Regular inspections must to prevent instances of bonded labour in K'taka: NCW
indiacom
2019-01-18T08:43:57+00:00
2019-01-18T08:43:57+00:00
Rekha
India.com
THIS video of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Rekha kissing and hugging at an event is going viral!
Susri Sahu | January 15, 2019 10:49 AM IST
It was the 100th birth anniversary of the renowned Indian poet Kaifi Azmi, the father of Shabana Azm...
THIS video of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Rekha kissing and hugging at an event is going viral!
indiacom
2019-01-14T23:49:45+00:00
2019-01-14T23:49:45+00:00
Rekha
India.com
Priyanka Chopra-Nick Jonas Mumbai Reception Guests: Kangana Ranaut, Rekha, AR Rahman, Salman Khan, Saina Nehwal, Hema Malini And Other Big Names Attend Ceremony
India.com Entertainment Desk | December 20, 2018 10:19 PM IST
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas are hosting a reception today December 20, in Mumbai's Taj Lands End ...
Priyanka Chopra-Nick Jonas Mumbai Reception Guests: Kangana Ranaut, Rekha, AR Rahman, Salman Khan, Saina Nehw
indiacom
2018-12-20T11:19:51+00:00
2018-12-20T11:19:51+00:00
Rekha
India.com
Star Screen Awards 2018 Inside Photos And Videos: Alia Bhatt Miffed With Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone Gets Emotional And Other Things That Happened at Event
India.com Entertainment Desk | December 17, 2018 1:06 PM IST
Star Screen Awards 2018 saw a bevy of Bollywood celebrities in attendance, and it was a fun night wi...
Star Screen Awards 2018 Inside Photos And Videos: Alia Bhatt Miffed With Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone Gets
indiacom
2018-12-17T02:06:29+00:00
2018-12-17T02:11:08+00:00
Rekha
India.com
Star Screen Awards 2018 Red Carpet Photos: Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, Rekha And Others Own Their Looks
Vineeta Kumar | December 17, 2018 10:41 AM IST
The last evening saw many Bollywood actresses walking the red carpet at Star Screen Awards 2018. Whi...
Star Screen Awards 2018 Red Carpet Photos: Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, Rekha And Others Own T
indiacom
2018-12-16T23:41:43+00:00
2018-12-16T23:41:43+00:00
Rekha
India.com
[Inside Pics and Videos] With performances of AR Rahman, Rekha Bhardwaj, Isha Ambani-Anand Piramal's reception turned out to be a musical treat
BollywoodLife | December 15, 2018 2:25 PM IST
It was a night to remember as family members, relatives and friends gathered to celebrate with newly...
[Inside Pics and Videos] With performances of AR Rahman, Rekha Bhardwaj, Isha Ambani-Anand Piramal's receptio
indiacom
2018-12-15T03:25:46+00:00
2018-12-15T03:55:33+00:00
Rekha
India.com
[Pics] Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone reach Udaipur to attend Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal pre-wedding functions
Susri Sahu | December 9, 2018 12:59 PM IST
Celebrities are still making a beeline at Udaipur, courtesy: The big, fat Ambani wedding. Yesterday ...
[Pics] Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone reach Udaipur to attend Isha Ambani and Anand Piramal pre-wedding f
indiacom
2018-12-09T01:59:39+00:00
2018-12-09T08:43:27+00:00
Rekha
India.com
Deepika Padukone - Ranveer Singh Mumbai Reception Guests: Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Rekha, Sara Ali Khan, Vicky Kaushal Attend The Couple's Ceremony
India.com Entertainment Desk | December 1, 2018 11:28 PM IST
Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone who has been surprising their fans with their jaw-dropping marria...
Deepika Padukone - Ranveer Singh Mumbai Reception Guests: Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Rekha, Sara Ali Khan,
indiacom
2018-12-01T12:28:28+00:00
2018-12-01T12:28:28+00:00
Rekha
India.com
Madhuri Dixit on paying a tribute to Sridevi: When I was approached to do this performance, it left me both overwhelmed and excited
IANS | November 15, 2018 7:45 PM IST
Bollywood's dancing diva Madhuri Dixit Nene will take Bollywood fans on a nostalgic trip as she pays...
Madhuri Dixit on paying a tribute to Sridevi: When I was approached to do this performance, it left me both o
indiacom
2018-11-15T08:45:07+00:00
2018-11-15T08:46:02+00:00
Rekha
India.com
Shah Rukh Khan-Aishwarya, Amitabh Bachchan-Rekha: Celebs who have back-to-back birthdays
Ganesh Aaglave | November 2, 2018 8:30 AM IST
We can't deny the fact that we are obsessed with Bollywood and Bollywood celebs. And if we are a fan...
Shah Rukh Khan-Aishwarya, Amitabh Bachchan-Rekha: Celebs who have back-to-back birthdays
indiacom
2018-11-01T21:30:36+00:00
2018-11-01T21:32:02+00:00
Rekha
India.com
Happy Birthday Rekha: 11 times Bollywood's Umrao Jaan proved that nothing beats six-yards of sheer elegance
Sreejeeta Sen | October 10, 2018 3:07 PM IST
Rekha, with her grace and poise, has proved that beauty is ageless indeed. The legendary actress has...
Happy Birthday Rekha: 11 times Bollywood's Umrao Jaan proved that nothing beats six-yards of sheer elegance
indiacom
2018-10-10T04:07:25+00:00
2018-10-10T04:07:25+00:00
Rekha
India.com
Happy Birthday Rekha: 5 Songs of The Evergreen Actress That You Should Not Miss
India.com Entertainment Desk | October 10, 2018 10:42 AM IST
Veteran actress Rekha has turned a year older today. She is known as one of the finest actresses of ...
Happy Birthday Rekha: 5 Songs of The Evergreen Actress That You Should Not Miss
indiacom
2018-10-09T23:42:19+00:00
2018-10-09T23:42:19+00:00
Rekha
India.com
Happy Birthday, Rekha! 5 iconic roles immortalised by the timeless beauty
Ganesh Aaglave | October 10, 2018 12:05 AM IST
Bollywood actress, Bhanurekha Ganesan, known by her screen name Rekha, has defined the true meaning ...
Happy Birthday, Rekha! 5 iconic roles immortalised by the timeless beauty
indiacom
2018-10-09T13:05:04+00:00
2018-10-09T13:06:02+00:00
Rekha
India.com