The daughter of actors Pushpavalli and Gemini Ganesan, Rekha started her career as a child actress in Telugu films Inti Guttu (1958) and Rangula Ratnam (1966). Her first film as a lead happened with the Kannada movie Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 (1969). Her Hindi debut with Sawan Bhadon (1970) established her as a rising star, but despite the success of several of her early films, she was often panned in the press for her looks and weight. Motivated by criticism, she started working on her appearance and put effort into improving her acting technique and command of the Hindi language, resulting in a well-publicised transformation. Early recognition in 1978 for her performances in Ghar and Muqaddar Ka Sikandar marked the beginning of the most successful period of her career, and she was one of Hindi cinema's leading stars through most of the 1980s and early 1990s.
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Date of Birth10 October 1954, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaBirth NameBhanurekha Gemini GanesanNicknameThe Bollywood QueenReMadame XRekhajiHeight5' 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 forRekhaAwards of the International Indian Film AcademyYear Result Award Category/Recipient(s)2002 Nominated Popular Award Actress in a Supporting Rolefor: Lajja (2001) Filmfare AwardsYear Result Award Category/Recipient(s)2007 Nominated Filmfare Award Best Actress in a Supporting Rolefor: Krrish (2006)2004 Nominated Filmfare Award Best Actress in a Supporting Rolefor: Koi... Mil Gaya (2003)2003 - Lifetime Achievement Award 2002 Nominated Filmfare Award Best Supporting Actressfor: Lajja (2001) 1997 Won Filmfare Award Best Supporting Actressfor: Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996)1992 Nominated Filmfare Award Best Actressfor: Phool Bane Angaarey (1991)1989 Won Filmfare Award Best Actressfor: Khoon Bhari Maang (1988)1983 Nominated Filmfare Award Best Actressfor: Jeevan Dhaara (1982) 1982 Nominated Filmfare Award Best Actressfor: Umrao Jaan (1981) 1981 Won Filmfare Award Best Actressfor: Khubsoorat (1980)Nominated Filmfare Award Best Actressfor: Judaai (1980) 1979 Nominated Filmfare Award Best Actressfor: Ghar (1978) National Film Awards, IndiaYear Result Award Category/Recipient(s)1982 Won Silver Lotus Award Best Actressfor: Umrao Jaan (1981)Screen Weekly AwardsYear Result Award Category/Recipient(s)2002 Nominated Screen Best Supporting Actressfor: Lajja (2001) 1997 Won Screen Best Perfomance in a Negative Role - Femalefor: Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996) Zee Cine AwardsYear Result Award Category/Recipient(s)2004 Nominated Popular Award Best Actress in a Supporting Rolefor: Koi... Mil Gaya (2003)2002 Nominated Popular Award Best Supporting Actressfor: Lajja (2001) FilmographyActress: 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") 2ff7e9595c
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