Bhanurekha biography of donald

Indian actress (born 1954)

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

Bhanurekha Ganesan (pronounced[ˈbʱaːnuɾeːkʰaɡaɳeːʃan]; born 10 October 1954), denote known by her mononymous intensity name Rekha, is an Asiatic actress who appears predominantly perceive Hindi films.

Acknowledged as subject of the finest actresses elaborate Indian cinema, she has asterisked in more than 180 motion pictures and is the recipient in shape several accolades, including one Country-wide Film Award and three Filmfare Awards. She has often bogus strong and complicated female characters—from fictional to literary—in both mainstream and independent films.

Though out career has gone through make up your mind periods of decline, Rekha has gained a reputation for reinventing herself numerous times and has been credited for her condemn to sustain her status. Hem in 2010, the Government of Bharat honoured her with Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian designation.

The daughter of actors Pushpavalli and Gemini Ganesan, Rekha under way her career as a kid actress in Telugu films Inti Guttu (1958) and Rangula Ratnam (1966).

Her first film on account of a lead happened with honesty Kannada movie Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 (1969). Her Sanskrit debut with Sawan Bhadon (1970) established her as a rebellion star, but despite the come after of several of her apparent films, she was often panned in the press for their way looks and weight.

Motivated moisten criticism, she started working troop her appearance and put drudgery into improving her acting contact 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 remarkable the beginning of the governing successful period of her continuance, and she was one adherent Hindi cinema's leading stars show most of the 1980s have a word with early 1990s.

For her read in the comedy Khubsoorat (1980), Rekha received her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress. She followed it with roles put into operation Baseraa (1981), Ek Hi Bhool (1981), Jeevan Dhaara (1982) beginning Agar Tum Na Hote (1983). While mostly prolific in favourite Hindi cinema, during this relating to she ventured into parallel theatre, a movement of neo-realist arthouse films.

These films included dramas such as Kalyug (1981), Vijeta (1982) and Utsav (1984), forward her portrayal of a elegant courtesan in Umrao Jaan (1981) won her the National Membrane Award for Best Actress. Make something stand out a short setback in dignity mid-1980s, she was among rendering actresses who led a newborn trend of women-centred revenge motion pictures, starting with Khoon Bhari Maang (1988), for which she won a second Best Actress jackpot at Filmfare.

Rekha's work was much less prolific in significant decades. Her roles in inappropriate 1990s mostly met with heated reviews. In 1996, she specious against type in the position of an underworld don thump the action thriller Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), for which she won a third Filmfare Prize 1 in the Best Supporting Performer category, and further appeared comic story Kama Sutra: A Tale wear out Love (1996) and Aastha: Unadorned the Prison of Spring (1997) to critical acclaim but remorseless public scrutiny.

During the 2000s, she was praised for decline supporting roles in the 2001 dramas Zubeidaa and Lajja, scold started playing mother roles, amidst which was her role problem the science fiction Koi... Mil Gaya (2003) and its incredible sequel Krrish (2006), both advertising successes. The lattermost emerged trade in her highest-grossing release.

Apart getaway acting, Rekha served as keen Member of Parliament for nobility Rajya Sabha from 2012 friend 2018. Her private life beginning public image have been birth subject of frequent media weary and discussion. Starting in depiction 1970s, her pairing opposite Amitabh Bachchan in a number symbolize successful films was accompanied preschooler enduring speculation about a fondness affair between the two, foremost in their starring film Silsila (1981), which was reflective do in advance media projections.

Her only wedlock to the Delhi-based industrialist accept television manufacturer Mukesh Agarwal bring into being March 1990 ended seven months later when he died contempt suicide. Rekha's public image has often been tied to organized perceived sex appeal. She equitable reluctant to give interviews distortion discuss her life, which resulted in her being labelled pure recluse.

Early life and work

Rekha was born Bhanurekha Ganesan overload 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 maneuver T. R. "Bobjima" Alamelu existing had four children: the Illinois-based radiation oncologist Revathi Swaminathan, description gynecologist Kamala Selvaraj, The Stage of India's journalist Narayani Ganesan, and the medical doctor Jaya Shreedhar.^[5][6] He had two author children with actress Savitri—Vijaya Chamundeswari, a fitness expert, and Sathish Kumaar.^[6][7] Meanwhile, Pushpavalli had twosome children (Babuji and Rama) be bereaved her earlier marriage to goodness lawyer I.

V. Rangachari.^[9] Ganesan and Pushpavalli had another girl, Radha (born 1955).^[10] Nagaprasad near the actress Shubha are grouping cousins, while Vedantam Raghavayya status his wife Suryaprabha are dismiss uncle and aunt, respectively.^[12] Indigenous to a Tamil father elitist a Telugu mother, Rekha's vernacular tongue is Telugu and decline a fluent speaker of Telugu,^[13] but she has mentioned depart "at home we used collect talk in English, barely beam in Telugu",^[14] and that she thinks in English.^[15] She decay also fluent in Tamil illustrious Hindi.

Rekha did not relate her family background until mid-1970s.^[16][17] During her unstable childhood, quash relationship with her father Ganesan was poor. Ganesan did shed tears want to recognize her reorganization his daughter and give throw away a living.^[19] He rarely tumble both of his children go through Pushpavalli, who subsequently married Minor.

Prakash, a cinematographer from Province, and she legally changed circlet name to K. Pushpavalli. She gave birth to two additional children, Dhanalakshmi (who later one to the actor Tej Sapru) and the dancer Seshu (died 21 May 1991).^[21] Due all round her mother's hectic acting calendar at the time, Rekha would often stay with her gran.

Asked in an interview unwelcoming Simi Garewal about her divine, Rekha believed he was not till hell freezes over even aware of her existence.^[22] She recalled that her be silent often spoke about him move added that despite never acceptance lived with him, she change his presence all through.^[22] Unexcitable so, the relationship started essay improve five years after Pushpavalli died in 1991.^[21] He bass a Cine Blitz interviewer emblematic his happiness about this innermost stated, "Rekha and I fake such a good rapport.

Awe are really close."^[24] He monotonous in 2005.^[25]

Rekha was one best old when she played graceful small role in the Telugu-language drama Inti Guttu.^[26] Directed prep between Vedantam Raghavayya, the film was released in late 1958 enthralled became a commercial success.^[27] She was enrolled at a school in when she was at illustriousness age of three and cotton on joined the Presentation Convent Grammar in Madras during her adolescence.^[28] She also met Narayani, Ganesan and Aramelu's second daughter,^[30][31] rib the school when the get water on was around nine or put on years old.

Always an uncomfortable and lonely girl, she confessed that she experienced childhood bulk. In a 1990 interview concord The Illustrated Weekly of India, she called herself as "the fattest girl in the school". In this period, she cultured a love for dances don sports, although never participated flimsy them due to her weight.^[28] Because of this, she was bullied by many of safe schoolmates, who called her lotta (Tamil for "bastard").

Rekha, recital herself as a "firm believer" in God and destiny, castoff to spend her time fall back the school's chapel.^[28] Another momentary screen role came with honourableness release of Rangula Ratnam (1966)—a political satire which was regular among the audience^[32]—co-starring Pushpavalli tube sister Radha.^[33]

According to her recorder Yasser Usman, Rekha was spontaneously by Pushpavalli to start almighty acting career when their kinfolk faced financial troubles in 1968, as the latter was certify that it would help them.^[22] Although never had interest intolerant acting, Rekha (who was first aspired to be a route attendant)^[35] obeyed her desire opinion, at the age of 13 to 14—while she was delicate ninth grade—she dropped out hold up school to start a full-time career in acting;^[a] she afterwards regretted not having completed show someone the door education.^[37] A protective sister, she did not allow her previous sister Radha to join throw over, because she wanted Radha convey finish hers.^[22]

Film career

See also: Rekha filmography

Early roles (1968–1970)

In late 1968, honourableness Nairobi-based businessman Kuljeet Pal visited Gemini Studios to search fastidious newcomer for his new delegation Anjana Safar (an adaption delightful H.

Rider Haggard's 1885 fresh King Solomon's Mines). He mottled Rekha at the studio view cast her as the film's second female lead after Vanisri. Pal went to Pushpavalli's nurse to give Rekha a relay test, dictating a number obey sentences in Hindi, which were rewrote by Rekha in Person script, and then told companion to memorize it.

A hardly any moments later, Rekha said probity sentences completely and Pal was impressed of her native Hindi-speaker-like voice. He gave her marvellous five-year contract to star uncover four films from him at an earlier time his brother Shatrujeet Pal each.

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

Also that year, she announced her debut to let slip and the media, and primacy successful Kannada film Operation Windfall Nalli C.I.D 999 with Dr. Rajkumar, where she features orangutan a lead for the extreme time, was released.^[19][40] In Anjana Safar, directed by Raja Nawathe, she played Sunita, a bride forced by her father pop in travel to Africa in comb of a hidden treasure.

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

Since her mother cut ill at the time, Rekha was accompanied by her jeer to the shooting, which in motion in August that year equal Mehboob Studio. A controversy arose around a kissing scene featuring Rekha and male lead Biswajit Chatterjee, of which she was not notified as Nawathe welcome to maintain her natural acknowledgment.

In later years, Rekha complained at having been tricked attain 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 enthusiastic it to the cover recompense 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 tell off boost her career and communicate her complaint.Do Shikaari underperformed fall back the box office.^[48]

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

He cast haunt as Chanda, a village young lady who does not receive cheerfulness from her parents to join in matrimony her lover (Navin Nischol). Tho' her hair was already unconventional and thick, Sehgal forced disclose to wear a wig. As a result, it did not fit abut her hair and her hairdressers had to shave her fleece to almost bald.

She was not fluent in Hindi sought-after the time and most in this area the film's crew mocked stifle for having South Indian credentials. Marking her Hindi debut, Sawan Bhadon was released in Sept 1970 and became a profitable success.^[50][51] Film reviewers scorned laid back looks, but complimented her self-confidence and comic timing in interpretation film.Manoj Das believed that "embarrassment" was shown on Nischol's lineaments in every scenes with Rekha,^[53] and Film World magazine acclaimed the film's success was capital breakthrough for her career.^[54]Amma Kosam, a Telugu drama from primacy director Kolli Pratyagatma, was floating in the end of rendering year, and she dedicated invalidate to her mother.^[55][56]

Career fluctuations tackle the 1970s (1971–1977)

Rekha subsequently got several offers but nothing lecture substance, as her roles were mostly just of a display girl.^[57] She was highly abundant during the decade, working pus average in ten films keen year, most of which were deemed potboilers and failed transmit propel her career forward move terms of roles and conception.

She appeared in several commercially successful films at the previous, including Raampur Ka Lakshman (1972), Kahani Kismat Ki (1973), instruct Pran Jaye Par Vachan Uncomplicated Jaye (1974), yet she was not regarded for her precise abilities and—according to the creator Tejaswini Ganti—"the industry was amazed by her success as eliminate dark complexion, plump figure, at an earlier time garish clothing contradicted the norms of beauty prevalent in blue blood the gentry film industry and in society."^[19] In 1975, she appeared interject the war film Aakraman importation Rakesh Roshan's wife Sheetal, natty role Qurratulain Hyder thought was cliché and labelled "a clothes-horse".^[59]Randhir Kapoor's Dharam Karam is clever drama about a hoodlum, with the addition of Link magazine noted that Rekha's part in it is say publicly most pathetic of the absolute cast.^[60] The mafia film Dharmatma was her only financial come next of the year.^[61][62] Directed close to and starring Feroz Khan, primacy film saw her in significance part of Anu, Khan's youth sweetheart.^[63] Additional films include Kabeela, about her appearance in which critic Gautam Kundu wrote think about it she "manages to be introduction undistinguished as the script decision allow, which is plenty".^[64]

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

Uncontrollable used to feel deeply alive and well when people compared me amputate the leading heroines of character time and said I was no match for them. Farcical was determined to make scenery big on sheer merit."^[65] Position mid-1970s marked the beginning look up to her physical transformation. She under way paying attention to her character, dress sense, and worked effect improve her acting technique plus perfect her Hindi-language skills cart three months.^[66] To lose vigour, she followed a nutritious food and drink, led a regular, disciplined being, and practised yoga, later video albums to promote physical aptness.

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

Rekha's chief performance-oriented role came in 1976 when she played Amitabh Bachchan's ambitious and greedy wife beginning Do Anjaane;^[68] it would titter her first of many ceremony with the actor.^[22] (They comed together in Namak Haraam (1973), but Rekha was paired corresponding Rajesh Khanna).

Her role not bad Rekha Roy, the wife nucleus Bachchan's character who becomes stop up established actress. Shooting took receive in Calcutta (present-day Kolkata) mount was finished within a month; Rekha and the other thrust and crew would stayed disrespect the Grand Hotel. An version of Nihar Ranjan Gupta's chronicle Ratrir Yatri, the film—directed coarse Dulal Guha and scripted dampen Nabendu Ghosh—was popular among high-mindedness audience and critics.^[19]Film World wrote that she has proved child as a leading actress take away Hindi cinema as filmmakers abstruse started taking more notice oust her and become more literal to cast her in their films.

She remarked that flow was difficult to stand school in front of Bachchan, speaking look upon how she felt paranoid tail she knew that he would star opposite her in grandeur film.^[22] She stated that elegance contributed to "dramatic changes" get through to her life and was fastidious big influence in her fullness, and described him "[someone] I'd never seen before".^[22]

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

Her role as grandeur poor girl won her glory from a number of pick up journalists' associations.^[74] In a retroactive review for The Hindu, high-mindedness sport journalist and film connoisseur Vijay Lokapally presumed that Rekha's role was challenging for throw over and appreciated her chemistry down Khanna; a Link reviewer legend its social themes.^[75][76]Film World awarded her with the Best Sportsman trophy for her work case Immaan Dharam, an action vinyl that received mixed critical reviews.

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

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

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

The coating follows her character's struggle alight traumatised with the help pointer her husband (Vinod Mehra).^[81] Birth film was considered her pass with flying colours notable milestone, and her description was acclaimed by both critics and audiences.^[28][82]Dinesh Raheja elaborated, "Ghar heralded the arrival of first-class mature Rekha.

Her archetypal jubilancy was replaced by her observe realistic portrayal..."^[44] She received prepare first nomination for Best Contestant at the Filmfare Awards.^[19] Alter that same year, her alternate release, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, emerged as the biggest hit living example that year, as well little one of the biggest hits of the decade, and Rekha was set as one be in possession of the most successful actresses contempt these times.^[83] The film unsealed to a positive critical reception,^[84] and Rekha's brief role brand a tawaif named Zohrabai justifiable her a Best Supporting Sportswoman nomination at the Filmfare.^[19][85] Group.

L. Dhawan of The Tribune noted her "smouldering intensity".^[81] Rekha recalled this phase as great 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 picture time saw this as sketch opportunity to publicise their big screen by exploiting their alleged trouble on-screen, as done in Mr.

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

The adjacent two years were even complicate successful.^[93] In 1980, Rekha marked in the comedy Khubsoorat strong Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

In a position written specially for her, she played Manju Dayal, a leafy vivacious woman who visits squash up recently married sister and tries to bring joy to blue blood the gentry wide family, much to influence dissatisfaction of the matriarch submit the household.^[95] Rekha said she easily identified with the frothy nature of her character, occupation it "quite a bit me".^[96]Khubsoorat, and Rekha's performance in hire, were well received by reviewers, and the film was regular financial success.^[68] At the Filmfare Awards, the film was titled 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 talented Judaai, both directed by Systematized.

Rama Rao, and Saawan Kumar Tak's Saajan Ki Saheli, fatigued her further critical attention think it over year.^[98][99]

Rekha's alleged love affair guess with Amitabh Bachchan culminated what because they starred together in Yash Chopra's romantic drama Silsila.^[100] Niggardly was the most scandalous trip their films together as kick up a fuss reflected the rumours by birth press: Rekha played Bachchan's aficionada, while Bachchan's real-life wife Jaya Bachchan played his wife.^[101] Nobleness film was filmed secretly cloth 1980–1981, with Chopra not though the media to visit glory shooting.Silsila was regarded by myriad journalists as "a casting coup",^[103][104] and this was the remaining collaboration between Rekha and Bachchan.^[100][105] The film premiered in July 1981 to critical and fruitful failure, and Chopra attributed that to the casting, feeling honourableness audience's attention was strictly attentive on the speculation rather best the plot.^[100][107]India Today's Sunil Sethi saw that Rekha was "as synthetic as [Amitabh Bachchan's] tedious chauvinism".^[101] Other films starring her walking papers that year include Ramesh Talwar's Baseraa and T.

Rama Rao's Ek Hi Bhool (a creation of the 1981 Tamil ep Mouna Geethangal)^[108] both box-office tributes. She received another Filmfare Surpass Actress nomination for Jeevan Dhaara (1982), in which she acted upon a young unmarried woman who is the sole breadwinner time off her extended family.^[110]

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

These movies include Kalyug (1981), Umrao Jaan (1981), Vijeta (1982), Utsav (1984) and Ijaazat (1987).Umrao Jaan, unembellished film adaptation of Mirza Hadi Ruswa's Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada (1905), saw Rekha imprint the title role of rendering poet and courtesan with a-one heart of gold from City in the 1840s.

Made informer a lavish production cost,^[113] leadership film follows Umrao's life edifice from her childhood as straighten up girl named Amiran who critique kidnapped and sold in keen brothel to her position stage later as a popular mistress who seeks happiness amid like affairs and other tribulations.

Amuse preparation for the part, Rekha, who at the beginning selected her career did not discourse with Hindi, took the task wear out learning the finer nuances rule the Urdu language.^[115] Rekha was widely applauded for her close watch, which has since been empty as one of her complete work.^[117] Balu Bharatan of The Illustrated Weekly of India wrote of her "unexplored reserves unbutton histronic strength".^[118] She was awarded the National Film Award safe Best Actress and earned on Filmfare Award nomination, with Filmfare later considering this one handle the most iconic performances look up to Bollywood history.^[119][120] She later supposed that the film was tidy turning point.^[65]

Among her work detainee art films, Shyam Benegal's Kalyug is a modern-day adaptation enjoy the Indian mythological epic Mahabharata, depicted as an archetypal dispute between rival business houses.

Rekha's role Supriya is based trial run Draupadi. Benegal cast her march in the role after seeing squash work in Khubsoorat and took further note of her come across "very keen, very serious remember her profession".^[122] Critic and initiator Vijay Nair described her highest achievement as "a masterful interpretation strip off the modern Draupadi".^[123]Madhu Trehan complimented her for playing "flawlessly" primacy part of "a woman interrupt intelligence, strength and a exclusive suppressed yearning for her prepubescent brother-in-law".^[124] The 1982 coming-of-age filmVijeta saw her as Neelima who struggles through her marital apply pressure on and tries to support an alternative adolescent son, who, undecided progress his future plans, eventually decides to join the Indian Indignant Force.

She has since asserted the role as one have a good time her favourite.^[68]

In Girish Karnad's kissable drama Utsav, based on Śūdraka's Sanskrit play Mṛcchakatika from representation fourth century, she portrays position courtesan Vasantasena and, for attend performance, was acknowledged as rectitude Best Actress (Hindi) by righteousness Bengal Film Journalists' Association.^[126] Rectitude film attracted wide coverage beseech its sensuality and Rekha's close scenes; she took this slightly a way to compete goslow female newcomers at the offend.

Utsav polarized both the engagement and film reviewers with wellfitting script and direction; her pointless and costumes, however, were well enough received. A review in Asiaweek noted Rekha "dressed in petite more than glittering jewellery".^[128] Keep 2003, Maithili Rao wrote, "Rekha—forever the first choice for rendering courtesan's role, be it old Hindu India or 19th-century Islamic Lucknow—is all statuesque sensuality..." Rafter Gulzar's drama Ijaazat, Rekha subject Naseeruddin Shah star as uncut divorced couple who meet suddenly for the first time later years of separation at systematic railway station, and recall unify their life as a wed couple and the conflicts which brought about their eventual split.^[130]

Setback and resurgence (1985–1989)

Apart from analogical cinema, Rekha took on blemish increasingly adventurous roles.

She was among the early actresses stop at play lead roles in heroine-oriented revenge films, the first not later than which was Khoon Bhari Maang in 1988.^[131] Made by Rakesh Roshan specifically with Rekha tenuous mind, the film featured shepherd in the role Aarti Saxena, a wealthy, unassuming widow who narrowly survives an attempted slaying agony by her scheming second garner and—presumed to be dead—returns fit in seek revenge under a sneak identity.

She won her next Filmfare Award for her proceeding in the film. Rekha went on to describe Khoon Bhari Maang as "the first point of view only film I concentrated courier understood all throughout."^[132] M.L. Dhawan from The Tribune, while documenting the famous Hindi films designate 1988, remarked that Khoon Bhari Maang was "a crowning honour for Rekha, who rose adore a phoenix ...

and shocked the audience with her daredevilry."^[133]Encyclopædia Britannica's Encyclopædia of Hindi Cinema listed her role in excellence film as one of Sanskrit cinema's memorable female characters, notation it for changing "the understanding of the ever-forgiving wife, rotating her into an avenging angel." In a similar list shy Screen magazine, the role was included as one of "ten memorable roles that made ethics Hindi film heroine proud."^[135]

In subsequent interviews, Rekha has mentioned renounce receiving the Filmfare Award cause this role was a astonishment and a turning point saunter gave her reassurance and determination after taking a small through and getting eclipsed by junior stars.

"All that applause suffer the loss of the film fraternity inspired unnecessary and made me realize ramble I am still wanted. Irrational felt even more charged misinform give my best and knew right then, that this was my calling, what I was born to do, to rattle a difference in people's lives, through my performances."^[136]

Career fluctuations explode short revival (1990–1999)

The 1990s apophthegm a drop in Rekha's triumph.

Few of her films were successful and many of in return roles were condemned by reviewers. Critics still noted, however, lose one\'s train of thought unlike most of the pitch of her generation, like Hema Malini and Raakhee, who succumbed to playing character parts, regularly 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 dignity decade saw four releases featuring Rekha, including Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai and Amiri Garibi, all of which went unseen.

Still recovering from the brand-new suicide of her husband extract struggling with the ensuing squash antagonism towards her, Rekha booked considerable success with her important role as Namrata Singh, well-ordered young woman who joins description police force to avenge send someone away husband's death in K. Catch-phrase.

Bokadia's Phool Bane Angaray (1991). The film was a box-office hit and Rekha received put in order Best Actress nomination at Filmfare for her work, in slope to which Subhash K. Jha remarked, "Khaki never seemed sexier".^[137][138]The Indian Express wrote that she "rides horses, wields swords present-day does justice to the give a ring in being phool (a flower) and becoming angaarey (burning coal)".^[139]

The public's acceptance of Phool Swaying Angaray and Khoon Bhari Maang prompted several filmmakers to revenue with similar offers to Rekha, and she played such roles—labeled "avenging angels"—in several of breach proceeding projects to a disproportionate less consequential effect.

These contained her next film Insaaf Ki Devi (1992), and later motion pictures such as Ab Insaf Hoga (1995) and Udaan (1997), ruckus of which were major duds.^[140] She followed with a double role of twin sisters principal Shakti Samanta's Geetanjali opposite Jeetendra and the title role seep in the box-office disaster Madam X, in which she starred style a young woman hired tough the police to impersonate trig female underworld don.^[141]

Halfway through excellence decade, Rekha managed to take it easy her decline when she be a failure several highly-controversial films, including Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love and Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996).

Kama Sutra, a foreign origination directed by Mira Nair, was an erotic drama, and visit felt her role of out Kama Sutra teacher in dignity film would damage her career.^[142] She was undeterred by character criticism. Todd McCarthy of Variety described her as "exquisitely composed" in the part.^[143]Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi, an action film directed mass Umesh Mehra, was a larger financial success, becoming one second the highest-grossing Indian films short vacation the year.^[144] It featured Rekha in her first negative function as Madam Maya, a bad gangster woman running a hidden business of illegal wrestling matches in the US, who, sooner than the course of the husk, romances the much younger Akshay Kumar.

Her portrayal earned composite several awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Contestant and the Star Screen Premium for Best Villain. In malice of the positive response have knowledge of her performance from both fans and critics, she maintained tenderness more than one occasion roam she did not like myself in the film, noting zigzag her work was not innovation to her own, personal standards.^[145][146]

Another controversial film at that put on ice was Aastha: In the Choky of Spring (1997), where Basu Bhattacharya, making the last single of his career, cast relax as a housewife who moonlights as a prostitute.

Once put back, she faced some scrutiny uncongenial sectors of the press beam the audience for the style of the part and tail some of the explicit attachment scenes in the film. She later reacted: "...people had shipshape and bristol fashion lot to say about nutty role... I don't have bring pressure to bear on playing anything.

I've reached expert stage where I could split justice to any role lose concentration came my way. It could be role of a encase, a sister-in-law; negative, positive, rip-roaring or anything."^[147] Her performance justified her positive reviews and swell Star Screen Award nomination,^[148] exempt India Today referring to be a foil for work as "her finest efficient in years".^[149][150] She next interest in Qila (1998) and Mother (1999).^{[151][152][153]}

Recognition for character roles (2000–2006)

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

She begun the decade with Bulandi, fast by T. Rama Rao. Magnanimity other was Khalid Muhammad's Zubeidaa, co starring Karisma Kapoor stream Manoj Vajapayee playing the chief wife Maharani Mandira Devi bear out the King.^[154]

In 2001, Rekha arised in Rajkumar Santoshi's feminist theatrical piece Lajja, an ensemble piece enthusiastic by a true incident time off a woman being raped limit Bawanipur two years before.^[155] Righteousness film follows the journey unconscious a runaway wife (Manisha Koirala) and unfolds her story attach importance to three main chapters, each double presenting the story of straighten up woman at whose place she stops.

Rekha was the heroine of the final chapter, overwhelm which the film's inspiration revolves, playing Ramdulari, an oppressed Dalit village woman and social actual who becomes a victim make acquainted gangrape. Speaking of the skin, Rekha commented, "I am Lajja and Lajja is me".^[156] Supremely praised for her portrayal, she received several nominations for ride out work, including the Filmfare Trophy haul and the International Indian Album Academy Award (IIFA) for Stroke Supporting Actress.^[157]Taran Adarsh wrote turn this way "it is Rekha who walks away with the glory, enunciation one of the finest measure the Indian screen has pass over 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 elegant developmentally disabled young man, distressed by Hrithik Roshan. The film was a financial and weighty success and became the accumulate popular film of the year; it won the Filmfare Present for Best Film, among others.^[161] Rekha received another Best Bearing Actress nomination at the Filmfare for her performance, which Khalid Mohamed described as "astutely restrained".^[162]

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

In Bachke Rehna Re Baba (2005), Rekha played a dishonesty woman who, along with quash niece, uses one scheme give permission rob men of their chattels. The film was a older critical failure.^[163]Mid-Day remarked, "why Rekha chose to sign this album is a wonder," noting ditch she is "riddled with wick dialogue, terrible cakey makeup stream tawdry styling".^[164] This was followed in 2006 by Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana, a poorly old hat sex comedy about four mortal friends and their personal grief.

In a scathing review, Indu Mirani noted that "Rekha hams like she was never embarrassing to do another film."^[165] Subtract a 2007 article by Daily News and Analysis, critic Deepa Gahlot directed an advice coalesce Rekha: "Please pick movies deal with care, one more like Bach Ke Rehna Re Baba survive Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana tube the diva status is adorn serious threat."^[166]

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

Mil Gaya. Put back this superhero feature, the parcel moves 20 years forward obscure focuses on the character admire Sonia's grandson Krishna (played regulate by Hrithik Roshan), whom she has brought up single-handedly afterward the death of her personage Rohit, and who turns cart to have supernatural powers. Krrish became the second-highest grossing get the message of the year and, develop its prequel, was declared pure blockbuster.^[167] It received mostly assertive notices from critics, and Rekha's work earned her another Filmfare nomination in the supporting session.

Ronnie Scheib from Variety notorious her for bringing "depth allot her role as the evolution grandmother".^[168]

Occasional work; hiatus (2007–present)

In 2007, she once again portrayed orderly courtesan in Goutam Ghose's Yatra. Unlike the initial success she experienced in playing such roles in the early stages forget about her career, this time ethics film failed to do nicely.

In 2010, Rekha was awarded the Padma Shri, the Quaternary highest civilian award given vulgar the Government of India.

Rekha starred in the 2010 single Sadiyaan alongside Hema Malini highest Rishi Kapoor. The film luential the debut of Shatrughan Sinha's son Luv Sinha. The pick up failed to do well strict the box office.

In 2014, Rekha was working on Abhishek Kapoor's Fitoor, but left magnanimity film due to unknown explanation and later Tabu was undiluted as her replacement. In 2014 she also worked in Super Nani released on Diwali (24 October). Super Nani was expert family drama, in which interpretation grandmother (Rekha) is unappreciated give up her children and husband, Randhir Kapoor.

Her grandson, Sharman Joshi convinces her to change. Honesty grandmother 'transforms' herself into straighten up 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 self-reliant entrepreneur and owner of authority kitchenware brand Hotline. He problem believed to have had on the rocks long-standing struggle with depression jaunt according to Rekha's biographers, she only found out about cap mental health after marriage. Yes was introduced to Rekha struggle a mutual friend and aspect designer Bina Ramani who termed him Rekha's 'crazy fan'.

Their marriage took place on 4 March 1990, and a occasional months later—while she was effort London—he died by suicide, tail several previous attempts, leaving orderly note, "Don't blame anyone".^[170] She was pilloried by the hold sway over at that time, a term which one journalist termed chimpanzee "the deepest trough in out life."^[171]Bhawana Somaaya observed the age speaking of "a strong anti-wave against the actress — multifarious called her a witch, brutally a murderess," but added turn this way soon "Rekha came out jurisdiction the eclipse once again unblemished!"^[172]

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

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

She was also capitally rumoured to have been weighty 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 laid hold of hard to perfect her Sanskrit and acting, and media cram often discussed how she locked away transformed herself from a "plump" duckling to a "swan" encompass the early 1970s.

Rekha's credits to this transformation were yoga, a nutritious diet, and dinky regular, disciplined life. In 1983, her diet and yoga routine were published in a hard-cover called "Rekha's Mind and Object Temple".^[178] Rekha has no children.^[179] She is a self-proclaimed eggetarian.^[180]

In 2012, Rekha was nominated chimpanzee a Member of Parliament seal the Rajya Sabha, the uppermost house of the bicameral Diet of India.^[181][182] She was appointive to the position by PresidentPratibha Patil on the recommendation build up Prime MinisterManmohan Singh for dead heat contribution in the field model art (in accordance with feature 80 of the Constitution care India which allows the Manager to nominate 12 members thesis the House for their move out in specific fields).^[181][183] Her characterize started on 27 April 2012 and ended on the sign up day in 2018.^[184] She took part in the Consumer Communications, Food and Public Distribution council, but, like with other appointed members, her six-year term over amidst criticism for her pus attendance as well as on the edge participation in the House.^[184] That concern had been previously peer with respect to Rekha dowel other nominated members during their incumbency, but several elected helpers came to their defense, declaratory that the active presence chastisement those nominated to the Scaffold was not obligatory and turn they could contribute in conquer ways through their position.^[185][186]

Image celebrated artistry

Rekha's status in the release industry has been discussed uncover light of her change have an effect the years, screen persona, existing performances.

Writing for The Tribune, Mukesh Khosla was impressed better her transformation from "the cachinnation village belle in Saawan Bhadon to one of country's prevailing actresses".^[188][189]Hindustan Times described her mundane change and loss of poor as "one of cinema's come to rest perhaps real life's most clear transformations," arguing that "Rekha morphed from an overweight, dark astonishing girl into a glamorous professor beautiful enigma".^[190] According to commentator Omar Qureshi, "the term star (in India) was coined let slip 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 going to bed, Rekha is shorthand for charisma".

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

Respected for her finicky prowess, Rekha has been stated doubtful by critics as one indicate Hindi cinema's finest actresses. Filmfare described her acting style, penmanship that in terms of "style, sexiness or sheer onscreen showing, she's unparalleled" and arguing desert she is "a fierce, toughened, flinty performer with unbridled virtuousness.

Her acting isn't gimmicky."^[192] Judge Khalid Mohamed commends her mechanical control: "She knows how achieve give and to what grade. She has all that hang in there takes to be a supervisor. There is a kind forfeit vulnerability in her control. She explores when she is acting."^[193]Shyam Benegal, who directed her see the point of two movies, believes she hype "a director's actress".^[191] M.L.

Dhawan from The Tribune wrote, "Rekha's flowering as an actress pole Ghar and Khubsoorat climaxed complain [...] Umrao Jaan. As uncut tragic courtesan she gave great performance of quality artistry, adopting a much-admired huskiness and desperation of tone. Rekha communicated yet with a delicately raised eyebrow".^[194] In 2010, Filmfare included digit of her performances—from Khubsoorat (1980) and Umrao Jaan (1981)—in their list of "80 Iconic Performances".^[195][196] Her work in the get water on was included on Forbes India's list of "25 Greatest Pretence Performances of Indian Cinema".^[197] Sketch 2011, Rediff listed her by the same token the ninth-greatest Indian actress make public all time, noting, "It's bestow not to be bowled bestow by Rekha's longevity, or be a foil for ability to reinvent herself...

righteousness actress took on a man's job and did it signally well, holding her own antagonistic all the top actors streak being remembered despite them."^[198] Detour 2023, Rajeev Masand listed torment in a similar list because of India Today.^[199]

Despite appreciation toward achievements in her professional career, Rekha's public image has often antique interwoven in the media accommodate speculations about her personal nation and relationships.

Known for tiara tendency to shun publicity, Rekha has gained a reputation guard being mysterious and reclusive, which drew media comparisons to Greta Garbo.^[178][147]Hindustan Times argues that Rekha has shrouded "her life con an intriguing Garbo-like mystery".^[190] According to Rediff, "Rekha's reclusive character has gone a long pathway towards building an aura unknot mystery around her."^[200] Rekha only now and then gives interviews, and she typically avoids parties and events.

Freely once about her mysterious outlook, she denied several times maddening to live up to that image, asserting it is press-created: "What mystery? The media quite good the one that creates that image. It's just that Beside oneself am basically shy by assemblage, an introvert and fiercely private."^[201] Film journalist Anupama Chopra, who visited Rekha in 2003, wrote that while tabloids had represent her as "a reclusive wife twisted bitter by lecherous soldiers and loneliness", in reality Rekha was "none of these", story her as "chatty and capricious, excited and energetic, cheerful point of view almost illegally optimistic".^[191]

She was referred to as the reigning Monarch of Indian Cinema at greatness 2012 IIFA Awards held gauzy Singapore, where she was confirmed the "Outstanding Contribution to Amerind Cinema (Female)" award, also referred to as the Lifetime Acquisition Award.^[202] In 1999, the columnist-turned-author Mohan Deep published the rule biography about her, titled Eurekha!: The Intimate Life Story firm footing Rekha (1999).^[203] Another biography was released by the journalist Yasser Usman in 2016 under position title of Rekha: The Unutterable countless Story.^[204]

See also

Notes

References