RekhaBiography

Name: Rekha
Birthday: Sunday, Oct 10 1954
Star Sign: Libra
Parents:
Sisters:
Brothers:
Address: -
First Film: Rangula Ratnam
Nature: Charming
Clothing Style: Saree
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Biography

Rekha (born October 10, 1954) is a well-known Bollywood actress. Rekha is the Mona Lisa of Bollywood. Enigmatic, seductive, and iconic—Rekha, in her four-decade-old career, has drawn more ‘ohs’ and ‘ahs’ from the audiences than any other actress. Although, she has already celebrated her fiftieth birthday, but the charm of her personality and glow of her face, refuse to fade. She is the same charming enchantress, who had once weaved her magic spell on the greatest superstar of India—Amitabh Bachan. Rekha was born as Bhanurekha Ganesan, to the doyen of south Indian cinema, Gemini Ganeshan, and Telghu actress Pushapavalli in 1954. The unfortunate separation of her parents brought Rekha to Mumbai, with her mother. The ways of nature are strange. A gloomy, flabby, clumsy looking child of the 60s groomed into the most beautiful Indian actress of 70s and beyond. She debuted in Sawan Badhon in 1970. Regular regimen of exercise, yoga, and meditation brought a sudden and significant change in her figure, complexion, and beauty. Dulal Guha’s Do Anjaane (1976) and Maneck Chatterjee’s Ghar , reaffirmed in no equivocal terms that Rekha was here-to-stay. Call it her will or God’s benevolence—by 1980, Rekha had become the most sought heroine of Bollywood. This was the time when, Amitabh-Rekha flicks like Mr. Natwarlal, Muqadar Ka Sikander (1978), Silsila (1982), Khoon-Paseenacarried Houseful banners. And the gossip mill worked overtime with Amitabh and Rekha’s love tales. But alas, not all fairy tale stories reach their logical culminations. Soon the two stars were moving in different orbits. But by this time, both, with twenty films between them, had been catapulted to the super-stardom status. There was no looking back for Rekha, who kept on mesmerising the ever-hungry Indian audiences, with one riveting performance after another. The role of courtesan played by her, in Muqadaar Ka Sikaander and Umraao Jaan (1987) are masterpieces in a genre, which can only be emulated, but not outdone. In Kamasutra (1996), she again portrayed a seductress, who had spent a lifetime, gratifying the sexual desires of the royals. In between, she gave legendary performances in art films like Utsav (1984), Basera (1981) and Ijaazat (1987) too. Recently, she won critical acclaim for her roles in Shayam Benegal’s Zubeeida and Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Lajja, where she played second fiddle to new generation actresses like Karishma, Manisha, and Mahima. Nevertheless, she proved the point, that a thing of beauty is joy forever. More recently, in Koi Mil Gaya and Parineeta too the audiences saw the same charm about her that they had once relished in those ‘angry young man’ starrers. But far from the celluloid that has sparkled with her scintillating expression, the personal life of Rekha has been a tragedy that can best be described in Shakespeare’s words: “She pined in thought; And, with a green and yellow melancholy, She sat like Patience on a monument, Smiling at grief.” (What You Will) A child of a disturbed family, she would have least expected her life to be as tumultuous. She was once wooed by film stars Jeetendra, Vinod Mehra, Kiran Kumar and of course, Amitabh Bachan. But none could size up to the persona, whom, she could deem as her man. Ultimately, she married a Delhi based businessman, Mukesh Aggrawal, in 1990, which not only ended in their divorce, but latter’s suicide as well. Inwardly bruised Rekha leads a detached and a solitary lifestyle in her Mumbai bungalow. A veteran of over 60 films, Rekha has won two Best Actress and one Best Supporting Actress Filmfare Awards. She also won a coveted National Award for her performance in Umrao Jaan. In recent years, she is has appeared in relatively few movies, usually as a mother or a widow rather than a glamour queen. She has won praise for her acting in films such as Zubeidaa, Koi Mil Gaya and Parineeta.

Her glamorous persona still has men gawking. Bollywood actress Rekha, who turns 55 Saturday, metamorphosed into a diva from the overweight young actress she once was and inspires the current league of actresses. 'She is a dreamer... she lives in her own world. She imagines a lot of things that suit her psyche as an actor. She is a very genuine, warm and a very sensitive person... And no denying the fact a very good learner. It has been an amazing experience to work with her; she is a perfect actress,' Muzaffar Ali told IANS. 'Post-'Umrao Jaan', she has kind of withdrawn herself... perhaps because that role was a very cerebral, cultural and classical one that raised her to a pedestal that cannot be surpassed ever... not by her or by anyone else,' he added. Daughter of southern star Gemini Ganesan, Rekha bagged overnight success with her debut vehicle 'Sawan Bhadon' (1970) and gradually became India's sex symbol. What catapulted her to the Bollywood zenith was Muzaffar Ali's period drama 'Umrao Jaan' (1981) that even won her a National Award. Having acted in more than 150 films, she made her presence felt with her versatility and different avatars in films like 'Do Anjaane' (1976), 'Ghar' (1978), 'Muqaddar Ka Sikander' (1978), 'Khubsoorat' (1980), 'Silsila' (1981), 'Baseraa' (1981), 'Utsav' (1984), 'Khoon Bhari Maang' (1988), 'Ijaazat' (1988), 'Kama Sutra' (1996) and 'Zubeidaa' (2001) to name a few. Last seen in a cameo for Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Om Shanti Om' (2007), industry insiders have often spoken of Rekha as a 'capable, disciplined actress with immense range, ability and mastery of precise detail'. 'Rekha is nearest to the parallel of Swedish actress Greta Garbo... they both came from poor backgrounds and climbed great heights... As an artist she was first noticed in 'Ghar' and after that she was no more termed as only a voluptuous artist in Hindi cinema because then came films like 'Khubsoorat' and 'Umrao Jaan' that set her apart,' said noted film historian Gautam Kaul. 'She is enigmatic... because she is hard to get. She only moves in a small circle of senior film people and she shuns the media. That's also because she is a tragic figure with failed relationships... none of which succeeded, so she has withdrawn into herself. The only place she is now noticed is award functions, which are also picked and chosen. But she still doesn't give any interviews,' he added. All said and done, Rekha is also known for her lifestyle and glossy image. 'Rekha is a diva... In fact, the term diva (in India) was coined for Rekha. The way she has metamorphosed herself from what she was when she came into the industry is mind blowing... She has worked on her language, body, diction, everything and apart from that she's a fantastic actress,' said renowned film critic Omar Qureshi. 'There was a special 'Rekha Diet' compiled by Chunky Pande's mother, Dr. Snehlata Pandey. Her looks and style are copied throughout India and she even has her book (on yoga and exercises) called 'Rekha's Mind and Body Temple' (1983). She has remained a mystery and what keeps her a legend is that how she has kept it intact so beautifully. She is a complete Jane Fonda,' he added. She still inspires the current league of actresses. 'She is a very good actress... I enjoy seeing her movies. She is very humane and caring. I wish her blessings and good wishes for her birthday,' said Gul Panag. Item girl Rakhi Sawant feels that Rekha's wax statue should also be made. 'There is no one in the industry to compare with Rekhaji as a beauty and as a performer... she is so good. For me, she is the perfect style icon. 'Jitna chamak unke face par hai, kisi ke chehre par nahin' (the glow on her face is incomparable). 'She has a perfect nose, pretty eyes and the best part is that she does her make-up on her own. She is in perfect shape. I just love her and adore her. I think she should have a wax statue at Madame Tussaud's. I wish her a very Happy Birthday,' Rakhi said. Mugdha Godse: 'I admire her and she is the one actress I look up to. I love her unforgettable films like 'Khoobsurat'. She's a living legend. I wish her many more happy birthdays and wish to see her more often on the silver screen.' Rekha is also rumoured to be penning her autobiography and is also tentatively to appear in the sequel to 'Krrissh'.

Rekha Rakes In Padma Honour

Ms.Bhanurekha Ganesan is pleased as punch. A Padma Shri, no less! Ms. Ganesan, more rewowned as Rekha, is being lavished with national attention, boasting of a filmography of over 180 films in a career spanning four decades. Earlier, she'd romped home with the National award for 'Umrao Jaan'(1982), and this time around it's bigger glory. A while back, Rekha had refused a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Maharashtra government on grounds that the public at large would consider it her retirement trophy. Instead, she had it renamed as the 'Raj Kapoor Pratibha Gaurav Puraskar.' A move which prompted veteran Rishi Kapoor to swat her pride in print. "She's being foolish," Kapoor scoffed to the media. "She hasn't come in yesterday and what about the 'Lifetime Achievement Awards' that she's accepted in the past?" For Rekha, the daughter of the late South superstar Gemini Ganeshan and Pushavalli, the honour seems to have sashayed in rather late. Kickstarting her cine trail with a debut in with the Mohan Sehgal helmed 'Sawan Bhadon'(1970), the rotund and uninspiring actress has truly transformed herself into an enigmatic diva of style and undeniable talent. Brings to mind another South supernova, Hema Malini who candidly lambasted the jury when she was handpicked Padma Shri winner stating, "This honour has come in quite late. I was deserving enough and should have got it long back." Your take, Ms. Ganesan?

Rekha: Tears Amid The Cheers…

Ms. Bhanurekha Ganesan is not famed for an overt display of emotion in public. Rather, Rekha has made sustained efforts to keep alive the Greta Garboesque image she has so carefully constructed over the years. Farzana, her valiant secretary, close pal and personal bodyguard all steamrolled into one, fiercely guards her and remains the deciding authority on whom Ms. Re will finally greet or boot. Ms. Ganeshan is usually on guard as regards any display of feelings at award dos. At the 55th Idea Filmfare Filmfare awards, however, her heart took charge over her starry head and Rekha couldn't hold back the tears. Renowned tunesmith Khayyam was conferred with the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' from a perfectly befitting celeb: Asha Bhosle. The duo of Bhosle and Khayyam have publicly credited Rekha for her singular contribution in making the music of 'Umrao Jaan' as memorable as ever. Perhaps, the flood of memories associated with Muzaffar Ali's opus translated into a trickle of tears for the eternal diva…

Rekha, as we hear her Speak!

And that is rare for sure. Rekha is not the one to be seen on television shows or chat shows speaking volumes about her film career, movies, personal life and the like. She has always chosen to stay within the quiet recesses of her mind and a life that she calls and claims her very own and private. Years pass and we see her getting more beautiful. She probably is one actress who only gets replenished by time. Her beauty only seems to attain a magic spark with every passing day, and of that or and other things she hardly speaks. In Rendevous with Simi Gerewal, the Diva claimed that she spoke or had a conversation such as the show after 20 years. But we sure do want to know more about her, afterall there is always a charm in knowing what lies hidden! So she here she is, allowing us to have a glimpse at some of her expressions, thoughts and confessions. Speaking about her movies, she would feature in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani. The actress on her approach to movies and roles asserts "I am open to any and every kind of role. I always have been. Actually, I’ve only said no to people I didn’t trust. Otherwise I’ve done every role that was offered to me. Every role. You know what that means . . . so little has been offered to me . . . " She has been recurrently questioned about her affair with the busiest star in Bollywood, Big B himself. While Amitabh Bachchan's planner is chocablocked with movies, Rekha still awaits a director or script that would interpret her intensity and thoughts well. However, till such time that happens she is planning to take on the role of a director herself. And on how her film is going to be she describes it as “romantic, intense, meaningful, intellectually stimulating, different, unique, thought-provoking, visually stunning, unknown and yet totally familiar”. Mulling on other abstractions such as happiness and contentment, Rekha calls God her only constant companion. In her words "I am open to the cosmos, not just people but every leaf, every molecule and every blade of grass. I am renewing my energy and reinventing myself. My soul is being soothed and nurtured every day. I am looking for only one thing: knowledge. My calling in life is to be not just a provider or wife or mother. My calling is to be a true fellow human being. I am not alone. I am every woman and, may I add, I am every man too."