REKHA

Date of Birth
10 October 1954, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Birth Name
Bhanurekha Gemini Ganesan

Nickname
The Bollywood Queen
Re
Madame X
Rekhaji

Height
5' 7" (1.70 m)

Rekha born October 10, 1954 in Chennai, India, is an award winning Bollywood actress.

Bhanurekha Ganesan (later known simply as "Rekha") is the daughter of renowned Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan and the Telugu actress Pushpavalli. Her father came from an orthodox Smartha Brahmin family belonging to the Mulukanadu sub-caste but chose to take up acting as a profession. He enjoyed phenomenal success and Rekha was to follow in his footsteps.
Rekha's parents were not married, and her father did not acknowledge his paternity during her childhood. It was during the early 1970s, when she was looking for a footing in the Bollywood film industry, that she revealed her origins. Later, at the peak of her career, Rekha told a magazine interviewer that her father's neglect still rankled and that she had ignored his efforts at reconciliation. She has had various unsuccessful relationships with Bollywood stars including Amitabh Bachchan (see below),Vinod Mehra and was briefly married to a businessman Mukesh Aggarwal from Delhi before he committed suicide.

Rekha appeared as a child actor in the Telugu film Rangula Ratnam (1966). Rekha made her debut as heroine in the successful Kannada film Goadalli CID 999 with Dr. Rajkumar in 1969. She had two films released in 1970: the Telugu film Amma Kosam and the Hindi Sawan Bhadon. Sawan Bhadon was a hit and she becomes a star overnight. She did get lot of offers but nothing of any substance, her roles were mostly used to be just of a glamour girl, a typical hindi movie heroines. She appeared in several successful films, such as Kahani Kismat Ki, Raampur Ka Lakshman, and Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye. Her first serious and performance oriented role came in 1976 when she signed 'Do Anjaane' with Amitabh Bachchan. People noticed her in that and then came Ghar in 1978 which got critically acclaim and she was nominated for filmfare best actress award.

She first attained real fame in 1978 with Muqaddar Ka Sikandar , in which she co-starred with Amitabh Bachchan. She went on to co-star with Amitabh in a number of 1980s hits. The most scandalous of these was Silsila, in which she played Amitabh's love interest and Amitabh's real-life wife, Jaya Bhaduri, played his wife. She also starred in the film Umrao Jaan. The film was considered one of her best performances and she received the National Film Award for Best Actress. In films such as Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and Umrao Jaan, her portrayal of courtesan with a heart of gold won acclaim and she played similar roles in other movies.

She was rumoured to be Amitabh's real-life flame and the film-column gossip may have contributed to her success. However, even critics had to admit that she had worked hard to perfect her Hindi and her acting, and that she had transformed herself from a "plump" duckling to a "swan" in the early 1980s. Rekha credits this transformation to yoga, a nutritious diet, and a regular, disciplined life.

After her "Bachchan era", Rekha took on increasingly serious, even adventurous roles. She starred in heroine-oriented films such as Khoobsoorat, Khoon Bhari Maang and Mujhe Insaaf Chaahiye. She was also willing to work with independent and "art film" directors, in films such as Utsav, Basera, and Ijaazat.

In recent years, she 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 Kama Sutra: A Tale Of Love (1996), Zubeidaa (2001), Dil Hai Tumhaara (2002), Koi... Mil Gaya (2003) and Parineeta (2005). This year, she has been seen in the sequel to Koi... Mil Gaya i.e Krrish, where she plays Hrithik Roshan's grandmother. Among her forthcoming movies are Yatra (as Lajwanti) Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamaanaand Kaala(2007),Tamil film.

Awards for
Rekha
Awards of the International Indian Film Academy
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2002 Nominated Popular Award Actress in a Supporting Role
for: Lajja (2001)

Filmfare Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2007 Nominated Filmfare Award Best Actress in a Supporting Role
for: Krrish (2006)

2004 Nominated Filmfare Award Best Actress in a Supporting Role
for: Koi... Mil Gaya (2003)

2003 - Lifetime Achievement Award

2002 Nominated Filmfare Award Best Supporting Actress
for: Lajja (2001)

1997 Won Filmfare Award Best Supporting Actress
for: Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996)

1992 Nominated Filmfare Award Best Actress
for: Phool Bane Angaarey (1991)

1989 Won Filmfare Award Best Actress
for: Khoon Bhari Maang (1988)

1983 Nominated Filmfare Award Best Actress
for: Jeevan Dhaara (1982)

1982 Nominated Filmfare Award Best Actress
for: Umrao Jaan (1981)

1981 Won Filmfare Award Best Actress
for: Khubsoorat (1980)

Nominated Filmfare Award Best Actress
for: Judaai (1980)

1979 Nominated Filmfare Award Best Actress
for: Ghar (1978)

National Film Awards, India
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
1982 Won Silver Lotus Award Best Actress
for: Umrao Jaan (1981)

Screen Weekly Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2002 Nominated Screen Best Supporting Actress
for: Lajja (2001)

1997 Won Screen Best Perfomance in a Negative Role - Female
for: Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996)

Zee Cine Awards
Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s)
2004 Nominated Popular Award Best Actress in a Supporting Role
for: Koi... Mil Gaya (2003)

2002 Nominated Popular Award Best Supporting Actress
for: Lajja (2001)

Filmography

Actress:

1. Krrish 2 (2009) (announced) .... Sonia Mehra
2. Sadiyaan (2008) (filming) .... Amrit
3. Yatra (2006) .... Lajwanti
4. Krrish (2006) .... Sonia S. Mehra
5. Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamaana (2006) .... Mayuri
6. Parineeta (2005) .... Moulin Rouge singer
7. Bachke Rehna Re Baba (2005) .... Rukmini/Richa/Gurpreet
8. Koi... Mil Gaya (2003) .... Sonia Mehra
9. Bhoot (2003) .... Sarita
10. Dil Hai Tumhaara (2002) .... Saritaji
11. Lajja (2001) .... Ramdulaari
12. Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachaao (2001) .... Kamini Mathur
13. Censor (2001) .... Ms. Shrivastav (Censor Board Member)
14. Zubeidaa (2001) .... Maharani Mandira Devi
15. Bulandi (2000) .... Lakshmi
16. Mother (1999) .... Asha Britannia
17. Qila (1998) .... Yamini
18. Udaan (1997) .... Varsha Sahay
19. Aastha: In the Prison of Spring (1997) .... Mansi
20. Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996) .... Rasa Devi, teacher of the Kama Sutra
21. Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996) .... Maya
22. Aurat Aurat Aurat (1996) .... Sita Vajpai
23. Ab Insaf Hoga (1995) .... Jankidevi Prasad
24. Nishana (1995)
25. Madam X (1994) .... Madam X/Sonu
26. Geetanjali (1993/I) .... Anjali Mehra/Geeta S. Bhardwaj
27. Insaaf Ki Devi (1992) .... Sadhana S. Verma
28. Time Machine (1992)
29. Waqt Ka Badshah (1992)
30. Phool Bane Angaarey (1991) .... Namrita Singh
31. Yeh Aag Kab Bujhegi (1991)
32. Amiri Garibi (1990) .... Sona
33. Aag Ka Dariya (1990)
34. Azaad Desh Ke Gulam (1990) .... Bharti Bhandari
35. Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai (1990) .... Sharda Dayal Sharma
36. Sheshnaag (1990)
37. Bahurani (1989) .... Madhuri/Malti Chaudhary
38. Bhrashtachar (1989) .... Bhavani
39. Ladaai (1989) .... Shakuntala Verma
40. Souten Ki Beti (1989) .... Radha S. Verma
41. Clerk (1989) .... Mrs. Sneh Kapoor
42. Kasam Suhaag Ki (1989)
43. Biwi Ho To Aisi (1988) .... Shalu Mehra
44. Ek Naya Rishta (1988) .... Aarti Saxena
45. Khoon Bhari Maang (1988) .... Aarti Saxena/Jyoti
46. Soorma Bhopali (1988) .... Drunk Woman (Sp Appearance)
47. Jaan Hatheli Pe (1987)
48. Sansar (1987) .... Uma V. Sharma
49. Apne Apne (1987) .... Sharda R. Kapoor
50. Ijaazat (1987) .... Sudha
51. Pyaar Ki Jeet (1987) .... Soni
52. Janbaaz (1986) .... Cabaret Singer (Guest Appearance)
53. Locket (1986) .... Shalu
54. Jaal (1986) .... Amita S. Singh/Sundari/Meenabai
55. Insaaf Ki Awaaz (1986) .... Inspector Jhansi Rani
56. Musafir (1986)
57. Sadaa Suhagan (1986) .... Laxmi
58. Jhoothi (1985) .... Kalpana Srivastav
59. Faasle (1985) .... Maya
60. Nishan (1985)
61. Ram Tere Kitne Nam (1985) .... Mrs. Radha Aloknath Gupta
62. Jhutha Sach (1984) .... Alka
63. Utsav (1984) .... Vasantsena
64. Zameen Aasmaan (1984)
65. Baazi (1984) .... Asha
66. Asha Jyoti (1984) .... Jyoti
67. Maati Maangey Khoon (1984) .... Shyamlee (Courtesan)
68. Bindiya Chamkegi (1984) .... Bindiya/Radha A. Kumar/Radha S. Kapoor
69. Khazana (1984)
70. Agar Tum Na Hote (1983) .... Mrs. Neena Mehra/Mrs. Radha Bedi
71. Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye (1983) .... Shakuntala
72. Film Hi Film (1983) .... (Special Appearance)
73. Prem Tapasya (1983) .... Bela
74. Deedar-E-Yaar (1982) .... Husna
75. Apna Bana Lo (1982) .... Roopadevi
76. Raaste Pyar Ke (1982)
77. Jeevan Dhaara (1982) .... Sangeeta Shrivastav
78. Ghazab (1982) .... Jamuna
79. Mehndi Rang Layegi (1982)
80. Vijeta (1982) .... Neelima
81. Ek Hi Bhool (1981) .... Sadhana Srivastav
82. Ghungroo Ki Awaaz (1981) .... Kajal/Kiran Gomes/Rani
83. Baseraa (1981) .... Purnima Kohli aka Nima'
84. Silsila (1981) .... Chandni
85. Daasi (1981)
86. Khoon Aur Paani (1981)
87. Mangalsutra (1981) .... Geyetri B. Prasad
88. Kalyug (1981) .... Supriya
89. Chehre Pe Chehra (1981) .... Daisy
90. Saajan Ki Saheli (1981) .... Moon-Moon Dhawan
91. Umrao Jaan (1981) .... Amiran / Umrao Jaan
92. Aanchal (1980) .... Tulsi
93. Neeyat (1980)
94. Agreement (1980) .... Mala Mathur
95. Jal Mahal (1980)
96. Jyoti Bane Jwala (1980) .... Courtesan (Special appearance)
97. Kali Ghata (1980) .... Rekha/Rashmi
98. Judaai (1980) .... Gauri Singh/Gauri S. Verma
99. Khubsoorat (1980) .... Manju Dayal
100. Maang Bharo Sajana (1980) .... Radha
101. Ram Balram (1980) .... Shobha
102. Ahimsa (1979)
103. Do Shikaari (1979) .... Sunita
104. Suhaag (1979) .... Basanti
105. Kartavya (1979)
106. Prem Bandhan (1979)
107. Jaani Dushman (1979) .... Champa
108. Mr. Natwarlal (1979) .... Shanno
109. Muqabla (1979) .... Qawwali singer
110. Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) .... Zohrabai
111. Dil Aur Deewar (1978)
112. Do Musafir (1978) .... Bijli
113. Bhola Bhala (1978) .... Champa
114. Kasme Vaade (1978) .... Dancer (Guest Appearance)
115. Aakhri Daku (1978)
116. Ghar (1978) .... Aarti Chandra
117. Ganga Ki Saugand (1978) .... Dhaniya
118. Karmayogi (1978) .... Rekha
119. Muqaddar (1978)
120. Parmatma (1978) .... Deepa
121. Rahu Ketu (1978) .... Tulsi
122. Ram Kasam (1978)
123. Sawan Ke Geet (1978)
124. Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein (1977) .... Dancer (Guest Appearance)
125. Khoon Pasina (1977) .... Chanda
126. Immaan Dharam (1977) .... Durga
127. Aap Ki Khatir (1977) .... Sarita
128. Alaap (1977) .... Radhakumari "Radhiya"
129. Chakkar Pe Chakkar (1977) .... Shila Sahini
130. Dildaar (1977)
131. Ek Hi Raasta (1977)
132. Farishta Ya Qatil (1977)
133. Kachcha Chor (1977)
134. Ram Bharose (1977) .... Kiran
135. Saal Solvan Chadya (1977) .... Wedding entertainer
136. Nagin (1976) .... Sunita
137. Aaj Ka Mahaatma (1976) .... Mala
138. Do Anjaane (1976) .... Rekha Roy/Sunita Devi
139. Kabeela (1976)
140. Khalifa (1976)
141. Santan (1976)
142. Dharam Karam (1975) .... Basanti
143. Aakraman (1975) .... Sheetal
144. Dharmatma (1975) .... Anu
145. Dafaa 302: Indian Penal Code Section 302 (Section of Murder) (1975)
146. Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja (1975)
147. Zorro (1975/II)
148. Do Aankhen (1974)
149. Duniya Ka Mela (1974)
150. Hawas (1974) .... Guest apperance in song "Aao Yaaro Gao.."
151. Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974) .... Janniya
152. Woh Main Nahin (1974)
153. Namak Haraam (1973) .... Shyama
154. Anokhi Ada (1973) .... Neeta Gupta
155. Barkha Bahar (1973)
156. Dharma (1973) .... Mrs. Asha Singh
157. Kahani Kismat Ki (1973) .... Rekha
158. Kashmakash (1973)
159. Keemat (1973) .... Sudha
160. Khoon Khoon (1973)
161. Mehmaan (1973) .... Sheela
162. Raampur Ka Lakshman (1972) .... Rekha Choudhury
163. Double Cross (1972) .... Rekha
164. Do Yaar (1972)
165. Ek Bechara (1972)
166. Gaon Hamara Shaher Tumhara (1972) .... Parvati (Paro)
167. Gora Aur Kala (1972) .... Phoolwa
168. Sazaa (1972)
169. Zameen Aasmaan (1972) .... Kalpana
170. Dost Aur Dushman (1971)
171. Elaan (1971) .... Mala Mehta/Mary
172. Haseenon Ka Devata (1971) .... Sunita/Chabili
173. Saaz Aur Sanam (1971)
174. Ammakosam (1970)
175. Sawan Bhadon (1970) .... Chanda
176. Rangula Ratnam (1966) (as Baby Bhanurekha)

Music Department:

1. Ek Naya Rishta (1988) (playback singer)
2. Agar Tum Na Hote (1983) (playback singer)
3. Khubsoorat (1980) (playback singer)

Soundtrack:

1. Fatal Beauty (1987) (performer: "Just That Type Of Girl")
2. Khubsoorat (1980) (performer: "Kayda Kayda (Kaayada Kaayada)")
3. Saal Solvan Chadya (1977) (performer: "Gori Tera Roop")

Miscellaneous Crew:

1. Sooryavansham (1999) (voice-over) (uncredited)

Self:

1. Om Shanti Om (2007) .... Herself
2. Bollywood Queens Vol. 2 (2006) (V) .... Herself
3. 49th Manikchand Filmfare Awards 2003 (2004) (TV) .... Herself - Presenter
4. 48th Manikchand Filmfare Awards 2002 (2003) (TV) .... Herself (Lifetime Achievement Award)
5. American Desi (2001) (uncredited) .... Herself on TV
6. Naya Bakra (1985) .... Herself (Guest Appearance)
7. Chashme Buddoor (1981) .... Herself
8. Ladies Tailor (1981) (uncredited) .... Herself
9. Gol Maal (1979) (uncredited) .... Herself (song "Sapne Ne Mein Dekha Sapna")