Rekha

Biography

Daughter of Gemini Ganesan and Pushpavalli born in 1954. She was obese and plump in her first films in the early 70s but underwent a spectacular transformation and became the ageless icon of beauty and glamour of Bollywood. In 1996, Rekha played the teacher of the Kama Sutra in the controversial film Kama Sutra: A Tale Of Love. She does yoga every day to maintain her ageless look. Is a follower of Wicca. She formed a popular screen couple with Amitabh Bachchan.

Rekha did her first film as a child artist was "Rangula Ratnam" which was in Telugu language. As an actress she performed her first film in Kannada was "Goadalli CID 999" released in 1969 with the actor Dr. Rajkumar. In 1970, Rekha's two films were released such as "Amma Kosam" (in Telugu) and "Sawan Bhadon" (in Hindi). Sawan Bhadon was her first hit film and she became star. She was a glamorous girl and did many films. Some of them were Raampur Ka Lakshman, Kahani Kismat Ki and Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye.

From 1978, turning point came when she performed role in the movie "Ghar" with the actor Vinod Mehara. She got first Filmfare nomination for best actress for that film. She performed "Muqaddar Ka Sikandar" during same year and film was big hit film of the year. In this film she played opposite to Amitabh Bachchan.

After Muqaddar Ka Sikandar she performed many films with the Bachchan and gave many hit films. The pair of Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha was much hit on box office but their relationship in personal life also very famous in media. But their relationship was ended in the year 1981 when they performed together in film "Silsila" directed by Yash Chopra. Rekha maintained herself because of yoga, a healthy diet, and disciplined life.

In 1981, she gave hit film "Umrao Jaan" in which she played role of young girl who is hijacked and sold to brothel. She received National Award for this film. Her role from this film was very famous. In the year 1981 others films were also released such as "Kaliyug" directed by Shyam Benegal, "Baseraa" directed by Talwar and "Ek Hi Bhool" with actor Jeetendra. She performed in art films also such as Jeevan Dhaara, Ijaazat and Utsav.

She likes to take risks. She was one of from those actresses who played leading role in actress oriented films. Actress oriented films were Khubsoorat, Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye and Khoon Bhari Maang.

Her recent films after 2001 are "Lajja" directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and performed with Madhuri Dixit, Anil Kapoor and Manisha Koirala, "Dil Hai Tumhara" directed by kundan Shaha and performed with Preity Zinta and Mahima Choudhari, "Zubeida" directed by Shyam Benegal, "Koi.. Mil Gaya" directed by Rakesh Roshan and co-stars Hritik Roshan and Preity Zinta.

Rekha got married with Mukesh Agarawal who was a businessman in Delhi but he did suicide in 1991. In the 1973 he married with Vinod Mehara but he also died. Now days she is living with the secretary named as Farzana in the Bandra.