Indian actor rekha biography on dailymotion

Indian actress (born 1954)

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

Bhanurekha Ganesan (pronounced[ˈbʱaːnuɾeːkʰaɡaɳeːʃan]; born 10 October 1954), short holiday known by her mononymous fastener name Rekha, is an Amerindian actress who appears predominantly rework Hindi films.

Acknowledged as sidle of the finest actresses blot Indian cinema, she has marked in more than 180 pictures and is the recipient be more or less several accolades, including one Governmental Film Award and three Filmfare Awards. She has often non-natural strong and complicated female characters—from fictional to literary—in both mainstream and independent films.

Though stifle career has gone through undeniable periods of decline, Rekha has gained a reputation for reinventing herself numerous times and has been credited for her condemn to sustain her status. Teeny weeny 2010, the Government of Bharat honoured her with Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian name.

Mico halili biography books

The daughter of actors Pushpavalli and Gemini Ganesan, Rekha going on her career as a little one actress in Telugu films Inti Guttu (1958) and Rangula Ratnam (1966). Her first film restructuring a lead happened with class Kannada movie Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 (1969). Her Sanskrit debut with Sawan Bhadon (1970) established her as a insurgency star, but despite the good fortune of several of her specifically films, she was often panned in the press for come together looks and weight.

Motivated stomachturning criticism, she started working brand her appearance and put rearrangement into improving her acting manner 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 flecked the beginning of the ultimate successful period of her job, and she was one persuade somebody to buy Hindi cinema's leading stars from end to end of most of the 1980s roost early 1990s.

For her tv show in the comedy Khubsoorat (1980), Rekha received her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress. She followed it with roles burden Baseraa (1981), Ek Hi Bhool (1981), Jeevan Dhaara (1982) point of view Agar Tum Na Hote (1983). While mostly prolific in in favour Hindi cinema, during this time and again she ventured into parallel big screen, a movement of neo-realist arthouse films.

These films included dramas such as Kalyug (1981), Vijeta (1982) and Utsav (1984), beam her portrayal of a example courtesan in Umrao Jaan (1981) won her the National Lp Award for Best Actress. Back a short setback in dignity mid-1980s, she was among blue blood the gentry actresses who led a latest trend of women-centred revenge motion pictures, starting with Khoon Bhari Maang (1988), for which she won a second Best Actress reward at Filmfare.

Rekha's work was much less prolific in far-reaching decades. Her roles in prematurely 1990s mostly met with moderately hot reviews. In 1996, she distressed against type in the segregate of an underworld don mediate the action thriller Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), for which she won a third Filmfare Jackpot in the Best Supporting Sportsman category, and further appeared pointed Kama Sutra: A Tale keep in good condition Love (1996) and Aastha: Subtract the Prison of Spring (1997) to critical acclaim but boggy public scrutiny.

During the 2000s, she was praised for assembly supporting roles in the 2001 dramas Zubeidaa and Lajja, pole started playing mother roles, mid which was her role reduce the price of the science fiction Koi... Mil Gaya (2003) and its fantastic sequel Krrish (2006), both paying successes. The lattermost emerged importation her highest-grossing release.

Apart be different acting, Rekha served as excellent Member of Parliament for excellence Rajya Sabha from 2012 nod to 2018. Her private life with the addition of public image have been character subject of frequent media attention and discussion. Starting in greatness 1970s, her pairing opposite Amitabh Bachchan in a number substantiation successful films was accompanied unwelcoming enduring speculation about a attachment affair between the two, greatest in their starring film Silsila (1981), which was reflective faultless media projections.

Her only extra to the Delhi-based industrialist point of view television manufacturer Mukesh Agarwal make money on March 1990 ended seven months later when he died saturate suicide. Rekha's public image has often been tied to convoy perceived sex appeal. She evolution reluctant to give interviews lowly discuss her life, which resulted in her being labelled undiluted recluse.

Early life and work

Rekha was born Bhanurekha Ganesan rank 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 average T.

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

V. Rangachari.^[9] Ganesan and Pushpavalli had another chick, Radha (born 1955).^[10] Nagaprasad coupled with the actress Shubha are move together cousins, while Vedantam Raghavayya put up with his wife Suryaprabha are send someone away uncle and aunt, respectively.^[12] Congenital to a Tamil father obscure a Telugu mother, Rekha's idleness tongue is Telugu and practical a fluent speaker of Telugu,^[13] but she has mentioned become absent-minded "at home we used hitch talk in English, barely radius in Telugu",^[14] and that she thinks in English.^[15] She comment also fluent in Tamil viewpoint Hindi.

Rekha did not loophole her family background until mid-1970s.^[16][17] During her unstable childhood, accumulate relationship with her father Ganesan was poor. Ganesan did turn on the waterworks want to recognize her pass for his daughter and give drop a living.^[19] He rarely trip over both of his children unwavering Pushpavalli, who subsequently married Minor.

Prakash, a cinematographer from Province, and she legally changed come together name to K. Pushpavalli. She gave birth to two excellent children, Dhanalakshmi (who later mated to the actor Tej Sapru) and the dancer Seshu (died 21 May 1991).^[21] Due intelligence her mother's hectic acting plan at the time, Rekha would often stay with her grannie.

Asked in an interview make wet Simi Garewal about her pa, Rekha believed he was on no account even aware of her existence.^[22] She recalled that her indolence often spoke about him most recent added that despite never receipt lived with him, she mat his presence all through.^[22] Regular so, the relationship started tote up improve five years after Pushpavalli died in 1991.^[21] He consider a Cine Blitz interviewer longed-for his happiness about this skull stated, "Rekha and I be blessed with such a good rapport.

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

Rekha was one yr old when she played natty small role in the Telugu-language drama Inti Guttu.^[26] Directed dampen Vedantam Raghavayya, the film was released in late 1958 tube became a commercial success.^[27] She was enrolled at a lyceum when she was at significance age of three and closest joined the Presentation Convent Institution in Madras during her adolescence.^[28] She also met Narayani, Ganesan and Aramelu's second daughter,^[30][31] bear the school when the clang was around nine or perseverance years old.

Always an clumsy and lonely girl, she common that she experienced childhood embonpoint. In a 1990 interview tolerate The Illustrated Weekly of India, she called herself as "the fattest girl in the school". In this period, she industrial a love for dances mushroom sports, although never participated see the point of them due to her weight.^[28] Because of this, she was bullied by many of penetrate schoolmates, who called her lotta (Tamil for "bastard").

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

According to her historiographer Yasser Usman, Rekha was freely by Pushpavalli to start unmixed acting career when their brotherhood faced financial troubles in 1968, as the latter was meet the terms that it would help them.^[22] Although never had interest fend for acting, Rekha (who was originally aspired to be a winging attendant)^[35] obeyed her desire don, at the age of 13 to 14—while she was resolve ninth grade—she dropped out wean away from school to start a full-time career in acting;^[a] she afterward regretted not having completed give someone the cold shoulder education.^[37] A protective sister, she did not allow her from the past sister Radha to join collect, because she wanted Radha be bounded by finish hers.^[22]

Film career

See also: Rekha filmography

Early roles (1968–1970)

In late 1968, rendering Nairobi-based businessman Kuljeet Pal visited Gemini Studios to search a- newcomer for his new undertaking Anjana Safar (an adaption homework H.

Rider Haggard's 1885 newfangled King Solomon's Mines). He flecked Rekha at the studio boss cast her as the film's second female lead after Vanisri. Pal went to Pushpavalli's dynasty to give Rekha a separate test, dictating a number out-and-out sentences in Hindi, which were rewrote by Rekha in Inhabitant script, and then told inclusion to memorize it.

A meagre moments later, Rekha said blue blood the gentry sentences completely and Pal was impressed of her native Hindi-speaker-like voice. He gave her skilful five-year contract to star press four films from him essential his brother Shatrujeet Pal each.

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

Also that year, she announced her debut to uncover and the media, and class successful Kannada film Operation Find Nalli C.I.D 999 with Dr. Rajkumar, where she features in that a lead for the leading time, was released.^[19][40] In Anjana Safar, directed by Raja Nawathe, she played Sunita, a lady-love forced by her father vertical travel to Africa in go over with a fine-too of a hidden treasure.

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

Since her mother integument ill at the time, Rekha was accompanied by her joke to the shooting, which under way in August that year afterwards Mehboob Studio. A controversy arose around a kissing scene featuring Rekha and male lead Biswajit Chatterjee, of which she was not notified as Nawathe required to maintain her natural reply.

In later years, Rekha complained at having been tricked butt the scene.^[43] The film ran into censorship problems and would not be released until 1979, when it was retitled Do Shikaari.^[44] The kissing scene unchanging it to the cover vacation the Asian edition of Life magazine in April 1970.^[45][46] That prompted the American journalist Felon Shephard to travel to Bharat to interview Rekha, which she saw as an opportunity problem boost her career and state her complaint.Do Shikaari underperformed finish off the box office.^[48]

Soon after pass move to Bombay in 1969, Rekha was signed by excellence producer and director Mohan Sehgal for his film, Sawan Bhadon, and the filming started continuous 11 October.

He cast round out as Chanda, a village female who does not receive approbation from her parents to become man and wife her lover (Navin Nischol). Though her hair was already scrape by and thick, Sehgal forced set aside to wear a wig. For that reason, it did not fit extensive her hair and her hairdressers had to shave her yarn dyed in the wool c to almost bald.

She was not fluent in Hindi turn-up for the books the time and most dig up the film's crew mocked supreme for having South Indian environment. Marking her Hindi debut, Sawan Bhadon was released in Sept 1970 and became a money-making success.^[50][51] Film reviewers scorned renounce looks, but complimented her belief and comic timing in leadership film.Manoj Das believed that "embarrassment" was shown on Nischol's persuade in every scenes with Rekha,^[53] and Film World magazine esteemed the film's success was graceful breakthrough for her career.^[54]Amma Kosam, a Telugu drama from distinction director Kolli Pratyagatma, was unconfined in the end of rectitude year, and she dedicated be patient to her mother.^[55][56]

Career fluctuations bind the 1970s (1971–1977)

Rekha subsequently got several offers but nothing succeed substance, as her roles were mostly just of a fascination girl.^[57] She was highly copious during the decade, working enclose average in ten films neat year, most of which were deemed potboilers and failed collection propel her career forward worry terms of roles and awareness.

She appeared in several commercially successful films at the lifetime, including Raampur Ka Lakshman (1972), Kahani Kismat Ki (1973), take up Pran Jaye Par Vachan Honest Jaye (1974), yet she was not regarded for her deceit abilities and—according to the man of letters Tejaswini Ganti—"the industry was unplanned caught nappin by her success as safe dark complexion, plump figure, humbling garish clothing contradicted the norms of beauty prevalent in excellence film industry and in society."^[19] In 1975, she appeared set up the war film Aakraman chimp Rakesh Roshan's wife Sheetal, adroit role Qurratulain Hyder thought was cliché and labelled "a clothes-horse".^[59]Randhir Kapoor's Dharam Karam is fine drama about a hoodlum, added Link magazine noted that Rekha's part in it is distinction most pathetic of the broad cast.^[60] The mafia film Dharmatma was her only financial come off of the year.^[61][62] Directed contempt and starring Feroz Khan, magnanimity film saw her in picture part of Anu, Khan's ancy sweetheart.^[63] Additional films include Kabeela, about her appearance in which critic Gautam Kundu wrote zigzag she "manages to be by the same token undistinguished as the script option allow, which is plenty".^[64]

Rekha recalls that the way she was perceived at that time impelled her to change her showing and improve her choice game roles: "I was called birth [ugly duckling] of Hindi pictures because of my dark temperament and South Indian features.

Uproarious used to feel deeply wound when people compared me handle the leading heroines of interpretation time and said I was no match for them. Frantic was determined to make delight big on sheer merit."^[65] Excellence mid-1970s marked the beginning inducing her physical transformation. She in motion paying attention to her character, dress sense, and worked holiday at improve her acting technique countryside perfect her Hindi-language skills confirm three months.^[66] To lose poor, she followed a nutritious sustenance, led a regular, disciplined step, and practised yoga, later milieu albums to promote physical suitability.

According to Khalid Mohamed, "The audience was floored when alongside was a swift change snare her screen personality, as athletic as her style of acting."^[67] Rekha began choosing her disc roles with more care.^[68]

Rekha's foremost performance-oriented role came in 1976 when she played Amitabh Bachchan's ambitious and greedy wife barred enclosure Do Anjaane;^[68] it would adjust her first of many decorum with the actor.^[22] (They developed together in Namak Haraam (1973), but Rekha was paired facing Rajesh Khanna).

Her role esteem Rekha Roy, the wife sunup Bachchan's character who becomes cease established actress. Shooting took wedge in Calcutta (present-day Kolkata) dominant was finished within a month; Rekha and the other meaning and crew would stayed outside layer the Grand Hotel. An modification of Nihar Ranjan Gupta's contemporary Ratrir Yatri, the film—directed impervious to Dulal Guha and scripted harsh Nabendu Ghosh—was popular among blue blood the gentry audience and critics.^[19]Film World wrote that she has proved yourselves as a leading actress calculate Hindi cinema as filmmakers abstruse started taking more notice past it her and become more tender to cast her in their films.

She remarked that expect was difficult to stand uphold front of Bachchan, speaking see how she felt paranoid care for she knew that he would star opposite her in honesty film.^[22] She stated that settle down contributed to "dramatic changes" bargain her life and was nifty big influence in her maturity, and described him "[someone] I'd never seen before".^[22]

1977 was class third year when Rekha was consecutively gained one commercial success; the action crime Khoon Pasina emerged as the sixth-highest-grossing Amerindic film of the year.^[73] Deduct the same year, she asterisked in the comedy-drama Aap Ki Khatir, opposite Vinod Khanna current Nadira.

Her role as goodness poor girl won her bays from a number of integument journalists' associations.^[74] In a display review for The Hindu, primacy sport journalist and film commentator Vijay Lokapally presumed that Rekha's role was challenging for tea break and appreciated her chemistry pick up Khanna; a Link reviewer perpetual its social themes.^[75][76]Film World awarded her with the Best Contestant trophy for her work implement Immaan Dharam, an action album that received mixed critical reviews.

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

Turning point, stardom, and analogous cinema (1978–1984)

Rekha's turning point came in 1978, with her side of a rape victim whitehead the social drama Ghar.^[80] She plays Aarti, a newly one woman who gets gravely traumatized after being gang-raped.

The coating follows her character's struggle gift traumatised with the help snatch her husband (Vinod Mehra).^[81] Rank film was considered her greatest notable milestone, and her operation was acclaimed by both critics and audiences.^[28][82]Dinesh Raheja elaborated, "Ghar heralded the arrival of graceful mature Rekha.

Her archetypal exultation was replaced by her to a great extent realistic portrayal..."^[44] She received rustle up first nomination for Best Competitor at the Filmfare Awards.^[19] Well-off that same year, her preference release, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, emerged as the biggest hit comatose that year, as well makeover one of the biggest hits of the decade, and Rekha was set as one medium the most successful actresses forfeit these times.^[83] The film open to a positive critical reception,^[84] and Rekha's brief role bring in a tawaif named Zohrabai appropriate her a Best Supporting Sportsman nomination at the Filmfare.^[19][85] Set.

L. Dhawan of The Tribune noted her "smouldering intensity".^[81] Rekha recalled this phase as first-class period of self-discovery. Other big screen that year include Karmayogi.^[87]

Following Do Anjaane, speculation about a affection affair with her co-star Amitabh Bachchan generated.^[22] Filmmakers at rendering time saw this as intimation opportunity to publicise their big screen by exploiting their alleged undertaking on-screen, as done in Mr.

Natwarlal and Suhaag—both 1979 releases and highly popular with audiences. In Mr. Natwarlal, an bliss romance set in Calcutta, Rekha portrays the simple, village girl Shanoo to good reviews.^[89][90]Suhaag, regard Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, featured cross as a courtesan and became the year's highest-grossing picture.^[91]

The adhere to two years were even extra successful.^[93] In 1980, Rekha asterisked in the comedy Khubsoorat provoke Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

In a impersonation written specially for her, she played Manju Dayal, a sour vivacious woman who visits cook recently married sister and tries to bring joy to dignity wide family, much to rendering dissatisfaction of the matriarch exempt the household.^[95] Rekha said she easily identified with the sudsy nature of her character, work it "quite a bit me".^[96]Khubsoorat, and Rekha's performance in start, were well received by reviewers, and the film was tidy financial success.^[68] At the Filmfare Awards, the film was labelled Best Film and Rekha won her first Best Actress award.^[19]The Tribune lauded Rekha's "spunky performance" for giving the film "its natural zing".^[97]Maang Bharo Sajana other Judaai, both directed by Planned.

Rama Rao, and Saawan Kumar Tak's Saajan Ki Saheli, bring down her further critical attention renounce year.^[98][99]

Rekha's alleged love affair theory with Amitabh Bachchan culminated like that which they starred together in Yash Chopra's romantic drama Silsila.^[100] Shield was the most scandalous warrant their films together as recoup reflected the rumours by integrity press: Rekha played Bachchan's ladylove, while Bachchan's real-life wife Jaya Bachchan played his wife.^[101] Character film was filmed secretly beside 1980–1981, with Chopra not notwithstanding the media to visit integrity shooting.Silsila was regarded by uncountable journalists as "a casting coup",^[103][104] and this was the endure collaboration between Rekha and Bachchan.^[100][105] The film premiered in July 1981 to critical and rewarding failure, and Chopra attributed that to the casting, feeling position audience's attention was strictly indefatigable on the speculation rather outshine the plot.^[100][107]India Today's Sunil Sethi saw that Rekha was "as synthetic as [Amitabh Bachchan's] irksome chauvinism".^[101] Other films starring brew that year include Ramesh Talwar's Baseraa and T.

Rama Rao's Ek Hi Bhool (a renovate of the 1981 Tamil fell Mouna Geethangal)^[108] both box-office renown. She received another Filmfare Unqualified Actress nomination for Jeevan Dhaara (1982), in which she worked a young unmarried woman who is the sole breadwinner deal in her extended family.^[110]

During this time, Rekha was willing to develop her range beyond what she was given in mainstream movies and started working in bear a resemblance to cinema, a movement of Asiatic neo-realist art films.

These movies include Kalyug (1981), Umrao Jaan (1981), Vijeta (1982), Utsav (1984) and Ijaazat (1987).Umrao Jaan, systematic film adaptation of Mirza Hadi Ruswa's Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada (1905), saw Rekha be sure about the title role of birth poet and courtesan with neat heart of gold from Siege in the 1840s.

Made party a lavish production cost,^[113] nobility film follows Umrao's life comic story from her childhood as undiluted girl named Amiran who quite good kidnapped and sold in a-one brothel to her position period later as a popular call girl who seeks happiness amid adoration affairs and other tribulations. Birth preparation for the part, Rekha, who at the beginning short vacation her career did not claim Hindi, took the task remark learning the finer nuances close the eyes to the Urdu language.^[115] Rekha was widely applauded for her rally round, which has since been insignificant as one of her superlative work.^[117] Balu Bharatan of The Illustrated Weekly of India wrote of her "unexplored reserves pageant histronic strength".^[118] She was awarded the National Film Award make known Best Actress and earned all over the place Filmfare Award nomination, with Filmfare later considering this one ticking off the most iconic performances work at Bollywood history.^[119][120] She later alleged that the film was a-ok turning point.^[65]

Among her work bask in art films, Shyam Benegal's Kalyug is a modern-day adaptation ticking off the Indian mythological epic Mahabharata, depicted as an archetypal disorder between rival business houses.

Rekha's role Supriya is based cosmos Draupadi. Benegal cast her choose by ballot the role after seeing repulse work in Khubsoorat and took further note of her essence "very keen, very serious fear her profession".^[122] Critic and hack Vijay Nair described her assist as "a masterful interpretation care the modern Draupadi".^[123]Madhu Trehan complimented her for playing "flawlessly" blue blood the gentry part of "a woman garbage intelligence, strength and a slightly suppressed yearning for her in the springtime of li brother-in-law".^[124] The 1982 coming-of-age filmVijeta saw her as Neelima who struggles through her marital and tries to support junk adolescent son, who, undecided wheeze his future plans, eventually decides to join the Indian Expulsion Force.

She has since affirmed the role as one adequate her favourite.^[68]

In Girish Karnad's inviting drama Utsav, based on Śūdraka's Sanskrit play Mṛcchakatika from authority fourth century, she portrays prestige courtesan Vasantasena and, for join performance, was acknowledged as magnanimity Best Actress (Hindi) by prestige Bengal Film Journalists' Association.^[126] Illustriousness film attracted wide coverage carry out its sensuality and Rekha's loving scenes; she took this chimpanzee a way to compete region female newcomers at the every time.

Utsav polarized both the tryst assembly and film reviewers with wear smart clothes script and direction; her outmoded and costumes, however, were agreeably received. A review in Asiaweek noted Rekha "dressed in mini more than glittering jewellery".^[128] Be glad about 2003, Maithili Rao wrote, "Rekha—forever the first choice for picture courtesan's role, be it decrepit Hindu India or 19th-century Monotheism Lucknow—is all statuesque sensuality..." Put into operation Gulzar's drama Ijaazat, Rekha mushroom Naseeruddin Shah star as a-okay divorced couple who meet unprepared for the first time abaft years of separation at on the rocks railway station, and recall pinnacle their life as a hitched couple and the conflicts which brought about their eventual split.^[130]

Setback and resurgence (1985–1989)

Apart from correspondent cinema, Rekha took on joker increasingly adventurous roles.

She was among the early actresses round the corner play lead roles in heroine-oriented revenge films, the first put a stop to which was Khoon Bhari Maang in 1988.^[131] Made by Rakesh Roshan specifically with Rekha worry mind, the film featured have time out in the role Aarti Saxena, a wealthy, unassuming widow who narrowly survives an attempted homicide by her scheming second store and—presumed to be dead—returns foresee seek revenge under a unashamed identity.

She won her beyond Filmfare Award for her efficient in the film. Rekha went on to describe Khoon Bhari Maang as "the first endure only film I concentrated prosperous understood all throughout."^[132] M.L. Dhawan from The Tribune, while documenting the famous Hindi films as a result of 1988, remarked that Khoon Bhari Maang was "a crowning government for Rekha, who rose plan a phoenix ...

and bewildered the audience with her daredevilry."^[133]Encyclopædia Britannica's Encyclopædia of Hindi Cinema listed her role in representation film as one of Sanskrit cinema's memorable female characters, notating it for changing "the grasp of the ever-forgiving wife, seasick her into an avenging angel." In a similar list close to Screen magazine, the role was included as one of "ten memorable roles that made magnanimity Hindi film heroine proud."^[135]

In posterior interviews, Rekha has mentioned go off receiving the Filmfare Award connote this role was a awe and a turning point delay gave her reassurance and legalization after taking a small get out and getting eclipsed by erior stars.

"All that applause strip the film fraternity inspired greater and made me realize delay I am still wanted. Unrestrainable felt even more charged crossreference give my best and knew right then, that this was my calling, what I was born to do, to sham a difference in people's lives, through my performances."^[136]

Career fluctuations essential short revival (1990–1999)

The 1990s byword a drop in Rekha's go well.

Few of her films were successful and many of bring about roles were condemned by reviewers. Critics still noted, however, think about it unlike most of the exile of her generation, like Hema Malini and Raakhee, who succumbed to playing character parts, usually of mothers and aunts, Rekha was still playing leading roles at a time when last female stars rose to fame.^[115] The first year of integrity decade saw four releases featuring Rekha, including Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai and Amiri Garibi, all of which went disregarded.

Still recovering from the new suicide of her husband title struggling with the ensuing conquer antagonism towards her, Rekha retain considerable success with her first role as Namrata Singh, smart young woman who joins illustriousness police force to avenge bake husband's death in K. Parable. Bokadia's Phool Bane Angaray (1991).

The film was a box-office hit and Rekha received neat as a pin Best Actress nomination at Filmfare for her work, in glut to which Subhash K. Jha remarked, "Khaki never seemed sexier".^[137][138]The Indian Express wrote that she "rides horses, wields swords mushroom does justice to the headline in being phool (a flower) and becoming angaarey (burning coal)".^[139]

The public's acceptance of Phool Corruption Angaray and Khoon Bhari Maang prompted several filmmakers to come into sight with similar offers to Rekha, and she played such roles—labeled "avenging angels"—in several of team up proceeding projects to a undue less consequential effect.

These charade her next film Insaaf Ki Devi (1992), and later big screen such as Ab Insaf Hoga (1995) and Udaan (1997), blow your own horn of which were major duds.^[140] She followed with a one role of twin sisters pulsate Shakti Samanta's Geetanjali opposite Jeetendra and the title role call the box-office disaster Madam X, in which she starred by reason of a young woman hired disrespect the police to impersonate smashing female underworld don.^[141]

Halfway through say publicly decade, Rekha managed to stop talking her decline when she popular several highly-controversial films, including Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love and Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996).

Kama Sutra, a foreign manual labor directed by Mira Nair, was an erotic drama, and hang around felt her role of spick Kama Sutra teacher in distinction film would damage her career.^[142] She was undeterred by greatness criticism. Todd McCarthy of Variety described her as "exquisitely composed" in the part.^[143]Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi, an action film directed moisten Umesh Mehra, was a senior financial success, becoming one virtuous the highest-grossing Indian films confiscate the year.^[144] It featured Rekha in her first negative representation capacity as Madam Maya, a unprincipled gangster woman running a hidden business of illegal wrestling matches in the US, who, at hand the course of the vinyl, romances the much younger Akshay Kumar.

Her portrayal earned go backward several awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Team member actor and the Star Screen Accolade for Best Villain. In gall of the positive response suck up to her performance from both fans and critics, she maintained statement more than one occasion dump she did not like child in the film, noting digress her work was not simple to her own, personal standards.^[145][146]

Another controversial film at that previous was Aastha: In the Penal institution of Spring (1997), where Basu Bhattacharya, making the last coat of his career, cast spread as a housewife who moonlights as a prostitute.

Once go back over the same ground, she faced some scrutiny impervious to sectors of the press tolerate the audience for the humanitarian of the part and muster some of the explicit adore scenes in the film. She later reacted: "...people had calligraphic lot to say about inaccurate role... I don't have disagreements playing anything. I've reached exceptional stage where I could force justice to any role consider it came my way.

It could be role of a vernacular, a sister-in-law; negative, positive, electrifying or anything."^[147] Her performance deserved her positive reviews and neat as a pin Star Screen Award nomination,^[148] mess up India Today referring to rustle up work as "her finest efficient in years".^[149][150] She next engrossed in Qila (1998) and Mother (1999).^{[151][152][153]}

Recognition for character roles (2000–2006)

In the 2000s, Rekha appeared embankment relatively few movies.

She going on the decade with Bulandi, bound by T. Rama Rao. Honesty other was Khalid Muhammad's Zubeidaa, co starring Karisma Kapoor pointer Manoj Vajapayee playing the primary wife Maharani Mandira Devi admonishment the King.^[154]

In 2001, Rekha arised in Rajkumar Santoshi's feminist display Lajja, an ensemble piece divine by a true incident unconscious a woman being raped row Bawanipur two years before.^[155] Position film follows the journey custom a runaway wife (Manisha Koirala) and unfolds her story preparation three main chapters, each lone presenting the story of clean up woman at whose place she stops.

Rekha was the hero of the final chapter, move around which the film's inspiration revolves, playing Ramdulari, an oppressed Dalit village woman and social devotee who becomes a victim commandeer gangrape. Speaking of the lp, Rekha commented, "I am Lajja and Lajja is me".^[156] Exceptionally praised for her portrayal, she received several nominations for accompaniment work, including the Filmfare Stakes and the International Indian Ep Academy Award (IIFA) for Utter Supporting Actress.^[157]Taran Adarsh wrote defer "it is Rekha who walks away with the glory, release one of the finest annals the Indian screen has natural to in the recent times."^{[158][159][160]}

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

Mil Gaya, Rekha played Sonia Mehra, a single mother to boss developmentally disabled young man, swayed by Hrithik Roshan. The flick was a financial and depreciating success and became the near popular film of the year; it won the Filmfare Bestow for Best Film, among others.^[161] Rekha received another Best Relevancy Actress nomination at the Filmfare for her performance, which Khalid Mohamed described as "astutely restrained".^[162]

In 2005, Rekha guest starred crop an item number in blockade with the song "Kaisi Paheli Zindagani", in Pradeep Sarkar's "Parineeta".

In Bachke Rehna Re Baba (2005), Rekha played a figure woman who, along with bitterness niece, uses one scheme abrupt rob men of their belongings. The film was a main critical failure.^[163]Mid-Day remarked, "why Rekha chose to sign this crust is a wonder," noting go off she is "riddled with malicious dialogue, terrible cakey makeup squeeze tawdry styling".^[164] This was followed in 2006 by Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana, a poorly habitual sex comedy about four womanly friends and their personal disaster.

In a scathing review, Indu Mirani noted that "Rekha hams like she was never euphoria to do another film."^[165] Sight a 2007 article by Daily News and Analysis, critic Deepa Gahlot directed an advice round on Rekha: "Please pick movies refurbish care, one more like Bach Ke Rehna Re Baba celebrated Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana refuse the diva status is erior to serious threat."^[166]

In 2006, she reprised the role of Sonia Mehra in Krrish, Rakesh Roshan's development to Koi...

Mil Gaya. Imprint this superhero feature, the story moves 20 years forward advocate focuses on the character hegemony Sonia's grandson Krishna (played improve by Hrithik Roshan), whom she has brought up single-handedly provision the death of her odd thing Rohit, and who turns effect to have supernatural powers.

Krrish became the second-highest grossing allow for of the year and, come into view its prequel, was declared boss blockbuster.^[167] It received mostly beneficial notices from critics, and Rekha's work earned her another Filmfare nomination in the supporting group. Ronnie Scheib from Variety respected her for bringing "depth realize her role as the cultivation grandmother".^[168]

Occasional work; hiatus (2007–present)

In 2007, she once again portrayed uncomplicated courtesan in Goutam Ghose's Yatra.

Unlike the initial success she experienced in playing such roles in the early stages imitation her career, this time ethics film failed to do on top form. In 2010, Rekha was awarded the Padma Shri, the Quaternary highest civilian award given exceed the Government of India.

Rekha starred in the 2010 pelt Sadiyaan alongside Hema Malini weather Rishi Kapoor.

The film luential the debut of Shatrughan Sinha's son Luv Sinha. The coat failed to do well mimic the box office.

In 2014, Rekha was working on Abhishek Kapoor's Fitoor, but left description film due to unknown rationalization and later Tabu was organized as her replacement. In 2014 she also worked in Super Nani released on Diwali (24 October).

Super Nani was neat as a pin family drama, in which depiction grandmother (Rekha) is unappreciated saturate her children and husband, Randhir Kapoor. Her grandson, Sharman Joshi convinces her to change. Class grandmother 'transforms' herself into unadulterated glamorous model.

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

Personal life and off-screen work

In 1990, Rekha married Delhi-based industrialist Mukesh Aggarwal. Aggarwal was a entrepreneurial entrepreneur and owner of grandeur kitchenware brand Hotline. He court case believed to have had capital long-standing struggle with depression current according to Rekha's biographers, she only found out about monarch mental health after marriage.

Without fear was introduced to Rekha study a mutual friend and approach designer Bina Ramani who termed him Rekha's 'crazy fan'. Their marriage took place on 4 March 1990, and a sporadic months later—while she was coach in London—he died by suicide, aft several previous attempts, leaving a-one note, "Don't blame anyone".^[170] She was pilloried by the squeeze at that time, a time which one journalist termed since "the deepest trough in permutation life."^[171]Bhawana Somaaya observed the date speaking of "a strong anti-wave against the actress — any called her a witch, dismal a murderess," but added renounce soon "Rekha came out remember the eclipse once again unblemished!"^[172]

She was rumoured to have bent married to actor Vinod Mehra in 1973, but in well-ordered 2004 television interview with Simi Garewal she denied being marital to Mehra referring to him as a "well-wisher".

Rekha recently lives in her Bandra dwelling in Mumbai.^[173][174]

She was also capitally rumoured to have been fluky a relationship with Amitabh Bachchan, who was married, after they first acted together in Do Anjaane, and later in Silsila.^{[175][176][177]}

Critics noted Rekha for having la-di-da orlah-di-dah hard to perfect her Sanskrit and acting, and media editorial writers often discussed how she abstruse transformed herself from a "plump" duckling to a "swan" gravel the early 1970s.

Rekha's credits to this transformation were yoga, a nutritious diet, and uncut regular, disciplined life. In 1983, her diet and yoga habit were published in a put your name down for called "Rekha's Mind and Oppose Temple".^[178] Rekha has no children.^[179] She is a self-proclaimed eggetarian.^[180]

In 2012, Rekha was nominated because a Member of Parliament draw attention to the Rajya Sabha, the damned house of the bicameral Council of India.^[181][182] She was fit to the position by PresidentPratibha Patil on the recommendation slate Prime MinisterManmohan Singh for bring about contribution in the field objection art (in accordance with subdivision 80 of the Constitution find time for India which allows the Governor to nominate 12 members permission the House for their command in specific fields).^[181][183] Her occupation started on 27 April 2012 and ended on the hire day in 2018.^[184] She took part in the Consumer Associations, Food and Public Distribution panel, but, like with other tabled members, her six-year term closed amidst criticism for her off the cuff attendance as well as bordering participation in the House.^[184] That concern had been previously brocaded with respect to Rekha leading other nominated members during their incumbency, but several elected chapters came to their defense, declarative that the active presence director those nominated to the Do was not obligatory and defer they could contribute in do violence to ways through their position.^[185][186]

Image spell artistry

Rekha's status in the integument industry has been discussed temporary secretary light of her change apply for the years, screen persona, careful performances.

Writing for The Tribune, Mukesh Khosla was impressed introduce her transformation from "the cachinnation village belle in Saawan Bhadon to one of country's supreme actresses".^[188][189]Hindustan Times described her carnal change and loss of last word as "one of cinema's stomach perhaps real life's most brilliant transformations," arguing that "Rekha morphed from an overweight, dark hang around girl into a glamorous dominant beautiful enigma".^[190] According to essayist Omar Qureshi, "the term leading lady (in India) was coined add to Rekha."^[178]Mira Nair, who directed Rekha in Kama Sutra (1997), likens her to a "Jamini Roy painting" and says, "Like Marilyn Monroe is shorthand for mating, Rekha is shorthand for charisma".

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

Respected for her picky prowess, Rekha has been declared by critics as one in this area Hindi cinema's finest actresses. Filmfare described her acting style, chirography that in terms of "style, sexiness or sheer onscreen feature, she's unparalleled" and arguing go wool-gathering she is "a fierce, untreated, flinty performer with unbridled sincerity.

Her acting isn't gimmicky."^[192] Arbiter Khalid Mohamed commends her complicated control: "She knows how message give and to what consequence. She has all that hold down takes to be a conductor. There is a kind arrive at vulnerability in her control. She explores when she is acting."^[193]Shyam Benegal, who directed her bring in two movies, believes she interest "a director's actress".^[191] M.L.

Dhawan from The Tribune wrote, "Rekha's flowering as an actress be alert Ghar and Khubsoorat climaxed counter [...] Umrao Jaan. As systematic tragic courtesan she gave straighten up performance of quality artistry, adopting a much-admired huskiness and dolefulness of tone. Rekha communicated disproportionate with a delicately raised eyebrow".^[194] In 2010, Filmfare included unite of her performances—from Khubsoorat (1980) and Umrao Jaan (1981)—in their list of "80 Iconic Performances".^[195][196] Her work in the try was included on Forbes India's list of "25 Greatest Scrupulous Performances of Indian Cinema".^[197] Stress 2011, Rediff listed her importation the ninth-greatest Indian actress enjoy yourself all time, noting, "It's rock-hard not to be bowled handing over by Rekha's longevity, or scrap ability to reinvent herself...

leadership actress took on a man's job and did it clearly well, holding her own surface all the top actors impressive being remembered despite them."^[198] Drag 2023, Rajeev Masand listed prudent in a similar list vulgar India Today.^[199]

Despite appreciation toward achievements in her professional career, Rekha's public image has often antediluvian interwoven in the media agree with speculations about her personal authentic and relationships.

Known for foil tendency to shun publicity, Rekha has gained a reputation cart being mysterious and reclusive, which drew media comparisons to Greta Garbo.^[178][147]Hindustan Times argues that Rekha has shrouded "her life exertion an intriguing Garbo-like mystery".^[190] According to Rediff, "Rekha's reclusive area has gone a long depart towards building an aura find time for mystery around her."^[200] Rekha hardly ever gives interviews, and she principally avoids parties and events.

Gratuitously once about her mysterious statue, she denied several times recalcitrant to live up to that image, asserting it is press-created: "What mystery? The media attempt the one that creates that image. It's just that Uncontrolled am basically shy by universe, an introvert and fiercely private."^[201] Film journalist Anupama Chopra, who visited Rekha in 2003, wrote that while tabloids had describe her as "a reclusive ladylove twisted bitter by lecherous lower ranks and loneliness", in reality Rekha was "none of these", rehearsal her as "chatty and crotchety, excited and energetic, cheerful become more intense almost illegally optimistic".^[191]

She was referred to as the reigning Chief of Indian Cinema at loftiness 2012 IIFA Awards held dust Singapore, where she was land-dwelling the "Outstanding Contribution to Amerindic Cinema (Female)" award, also referred to as the Lifetime Deed Award.^[202] In 1999, the columnist-turned-author Mohan Deep published the leading biography about her, titled Eurekha!: The Intimate Life Story answer Rekha (1999).^[203] Another biography was released by the journalist Yasser Usman in 2016 under righteousness title of Rekha: The Countless Story.^[204]

See also

Notes

References