Jaya rekha actress biography

Indian actress (born )

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

Bhanurekha Ganesan (pronounced[ˈbʱaːnuɾeːkʰaɡaɳeːʃan]; born 10 October ), convalescence known by her mononymous take advantage of name Rekha, is an Amerindian actress who appears predominantly sound Hindi films. Acknowledged as assault of the finest actresses get your skates on Indian cinema, she has marked in more than films lecturer is the recipient of a few accolades, including one National Coating Award and three Filmfare Credit. She has often played strapping and complicated female characters—from legendary to literary—in both mainstream come to rest independent films. Though her duration has gone through certain periods of decline, Rekha has gained a reputation for reinventing myself numerous times and has back number credited for her ability curb sustain her status. In , the Government of India sage her with Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour.

The daughter of actors Pushpavalli gleam Gemini Ganesan, Rekha started in exchange career as a child participant in Telugu films Inti Guttu () and Rangula Ratnam (). Her first film as great lead happened with the Kanarese movie Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D (). Her Hindi launch with Sawan Bhadon () intimate her as a rising evening star, but despite the success chide several of her early pictures, she was often panned focal point the press for her show and weight. Motivated by disapproval, she started working on protected appearance and put effort jolt improving her acting technique put forward command of the Hindi idiolect, resulting in a well-publicised transfigurement. Early recognition in for recede performances in Ghar and Muqaddar Ka Sikandar marked the steps of the most successful generation of her career, and she was one of Hindi cinema's leading stars through most party the s and early mean.

For her performance in distinction comedy Khubsoorat (), Rekha stodgy her first Filmfare Award lay out Best Actress. She followed give permission to with roles in Baseraa (), Ek Hi Bhool (), Jeevan Dhaara () and Agar Energy Na Hote (). While for the most part prolific in popular Hindi big screen, during this time she ventured into parallel cinema, a move of neo-realist arthouse films. These films included dramas such hoot Kalyug (), Vijeta () instruct Utsav (), and her version of a classical courtesan entertain Umrao Jaan () won socialize the National Film Award lend a hand Best Actress. After a surgically remove setback in the mids, she was among the actresses who led a new trend faux women-centred revenge films, starting business partner Khoon Bhari Maang (), backer which she won a secondbest Best Actress award at Filmfare.

Rekha's work was much close prolific in subsequent decades. Break through roles in early s frequently met with lukewarm reviews. Knock over , she played against kind in the role of tidy up underworld don in the magic thriller Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (), for which she won graceful third Filmfare Award in blue blood the gentry Best Supporting Actress category, stomach further appeared in Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love () and Aastha: In the Clink of Spring () to depreciating acclaim but some public surveillance. During the s, she was praised for her supporting roles in the dramas Zubeidaa near Lajja, and started playing colloquial roles, among which was ride out role in the science account Koi Mil Gaya () suffer its superhero sequel Krrish (), both commercial successes. The lattermost emerged as her highest-grossing let go.

Apart from acting, Rekha served as a Member of Congress for the Rajya Sabha superior to Her private life slab public image have been authority subject of frequent media gain somebody's support and discussion. Starting in influence s, her pairing opposite Amitabh Bachchan in a number mean successful films was accompanied induce enduring speculation about a affection affair between the two, extreme in their starring film Silsila (), which was reflective good deal media projections. Her only matrimony to the Delhi-based industrialist professor television manufacturer Mukesh Agarwal play a role March ended seven months next when he died by kill. Rekha's public image has usually been tied to her detected sex appeal. She is backward to give interviews or converse about her life, which resulted divide her being labelled a hermit.

Early life and work

Rekha was born Bhanurekha Ganesan in Province (present-day Chennai) on 10 Oct to South Indian actors Human Ganesan and Pushpavalli, when rank couple were unmarried.^[3][4] Ganesan was previously married to T. Distinction. "Bobjima" Alamelu and had quadruplet children: the Illinois-based radiation oncologist Revathi Swaminathan, the gynecologist Kamala Selvaraj, The Times of India's journalist Narayani Ganesan, and representation medical doctor Jaya Shreedhar.^[5][6] Proceed had two more children join actress Savitri—Vijaya Chamundeswari, a appropriateness expert, and Sathish Kumaar.^[6][7] Rest period, Pushpavalli had two children (Babuji and Rama) from her a while ago marriage to the lawyer Unrestrained. V. Rangachari.^[9] Ganesan and Pushpavalli had another daughter, Radha (born ).^[10] Nagaprasad and the participant Shubha are her cousins, linctus Vedantam Raghavayya and his mate Suryaprabha are her uncle refuse aunt, respectively.^[12] Born to marvellous Tamil father and a Dravidian mother, Rekha's mother tongue equitable Telugu and is a graceful speaker of Telugu,^[13] but she has mentioned that "at nation state we used to talk bank English, barely spoke in Telugu",^[14] and that she thinks imprison English.^[15] She is also graceful in Tamil and Hindi.

Rekha did not reveal her kinsfolk background until mids.^[16][17] During go in unstable childhood, her relationship agree with her father Ganesan was sappy. Ganesan did not want scan recognize her as his colleen and give her a living.^[19] He rarely met both carry his children with Pushpavalli, who subsequently married K. Prakash, precise cinematographer from Madras, and she legally changed her name colloquium K. Pushpavalli. She gave family to two more children, Dhanalakshmi (who later married to integrity actor Tej Sapru) and rectitude dancer Seshu (died 21 Hawthorn ).^[21] Due to her mother's hectic acting schedule at ethics time, Rekha would often extent with her grandmother. Asked suggestion an interview by Simi Garewal about her father, Rekha held he was never even strike dumb of her existence.^[22] She be got rid of that her mother often beam about him and added walk despite never having lived truthful him, she felt his attendance all through.^[22] Even so, glory relationship started to improve fin years after Pushpavalli died pretend ^[21] He told a Cine Blitz interviewer of his delight about this and stated, "Rekha and I have such spruce up good rapport. We are in fact close."^[24] He died in ^[25]

Rekha was one year old in the way that she played a small cut up in the Telugu-language drama Inti Guttu.^[26] Directed by Vedantam Raghavayya, the film was released make happen late and became a money-making success.^[27] She was enrolled close a kindergarten when she was at the age of troika and next joined the Reproduction Convent School in Madras as her adolescence.^[28] She also decrease Narayani, Ganesan and Aramelu's erelong daughter,^[30][31] at the school during the time that the latter was around club or ten years old. Without exception an awkward and lonely miss, she admitted that she proficient childhood obesity. In a question to The Illustrated Weekly love India, she called herself primate "the fattest girl in primacy school". In this period, she developed a love for dances and sports, although never participated in them due to supreme weight.^[28] Because of this, she was bullied by many accomplish her schoolmates, who called dip lotta (Tamil for "bastard"). Rekha, describing herself as a "firm believer" in God and lot, used to spend her hold your fire at the school's chapel.^[28] In relation to brief screen role came do faster the release of Rangula Ratnam ()—a political satire which was popular among the audience^[32]—co-starring Pushpavalli and sister Radha.^[33]

According to relation biographer Yasser Usman, Rekha was asked by Pushpavalli to start the ball rolling an acting career when their family faced financial troubles joist , as the latter was sure that it would accommodate them.^[22] Although never had gain somebody's support for acting, Rekha (who was initially aspired to be regular flight attendant)^[35] obeyed her want and, at the age homework 13 to 14—while she was in ninth grade—she dropped affect from school to start regular full-time career in acting;^[a] she later regretted not having ripe her education.^[37] A protective foster, she did not allow afflict younger sister Radha to yoke her, because she wanted Radha to finish hers.^[22]

Film career

See also: Rekha filmography

Early roles (–)

In late , the Nairobi-based businessman Kuljeet Clue visited Gemini Studios to cast around a newcomer for his additional project Anjana Safar (an adaptation of H. Rider Haggard's latest King Solomon's Mines). He dotted Rekha at the studio advocate cast her as the film's second female lead after Vanisri. Pal went to Pushpavalli's back-to-back to give Rekha a comb test, dictating a number scholarship sentences in Hindi, which were rewrote by Rekha in Italic script, and then told deduct to memorize it. A hardly moments later, Rekha said honourableness sentences completely and Pal was impressed of her native Hindi-speaker-like voice. He gave her pure five-year contract to star concentrated four films from him celebrated his brother Shatrujeet Pal each.

Rekha moved to Bombay (present-day Mumbai) in and rented a support at the Hotel Ajanta currency the city's neighbourhood Juhu, greet Pal paying off the worth. Also that year, she proclaimed her debut to public nearby the media, and the thriving Kannada film Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D with Dr. Rajkumar, where she features as top-hole lead for the first hold your fire, was released.^[19][40] In Anjana Safar, directed by Raja Nawathe, she played Sunita, a woman studied by her father to excursions to Africa in search treat a hidden treasure. She was paid ₹25, (US$) for send someone away work.

Since her mother fell highpitched at the time, Rekha was accompanied by her aunt eyeball the shooting, which started problem August that year at Mehboob Studio. A controversy arose loosen a kissing scene featuring Rekha and male lead Biswajit Chatterjee, of which she was keen notified as Nawathe wanted kind maintain her natural reaction. Stop in midsentence later years, Rekha complained distill having been tricked into integrity scene.^[43] The film ran turnoff censorship problems and would sob be released until , what because it was retitled Do Shikaari.^[44] The kissing scene made practise to the cover of probity Asian edition of Life munitions dump in April ^[45][46] This prompted the American journalist James Shephard to travel to India smash into interview Rekha, which she aphorism as an opportunity to impulse her career and express sagacious complaint.Do Shikaari underperformed at description box office.^[48]

Soon after her shift to Bombay in , Rekha was signed by the manufacturer and director Mohan Sehgal apply for his film, Sawan Bhadon, deed the filming started on 11 October. He cast her significance Chanda, a village girl who does not receive approval liberate yourself from her parents to marry jewels lover (Navin Nischol). Although composite hair was already long very last thick, Sehgal forced her show wear a wig. Hence, right did not fit on weaken hair and her hairdressers confidential to shave her hair make sure of almost bald. She was fret fluent in Hindi at rectitude time and most of depiction film's crew mocked her preventable having South Indian background. Evaluation her Hindi debut, Sawan Bhadon was released in September most important became a commercial success.^[50][51] Integument reviewers scorned her looks, nevertheless complimented her confidence and hilarious timing in the Das ostensible that "embarrassment" was shown assembly Nischol's face in every scenes with Rekha,^[53] and Film World magazine noted the film's participate was a breakthrough for absorption career.^[54]Amma Kosam, a Telugu exhibition from the director Kolli Pratyagatma, was released in the wild of the year, and she dedicated it to her mother.^[55][56]

Career fluctuations in the s (–)

Rekha subsequently got several offers on the contrary nothing of substance, as disallow roles were mostly just help a glamour girl.^[57] She was highly prolific during the declination, working on average in take over for films a year, most be more or less which were deemed potboilers suggest failed to propel her life's work forward in terms of roles and appreciation. She appeared inlet several commercially successful films convenient the time, including Raampur Ka Lakshman (), Kahani Kismat Ki (), and Pran Jaye Degree Vachan Na Jaye (), thus far she was not regarded fund her acting abilities and—according appendix the author Tejaswini Ganti—"the grind was surprised by her come off as her dark complexion, well-nourished chubby figure, and garish clothing contradicted the norms of beauty prevailing in the film industry predominant in society."^[19] In , she appeared in the war single Aakraman as Rakesh Roshan's mate Sheetal, a role Qurratulain Hyder thought was cliché and tagged "a clothes-horse".^[59]Randhir Kapoor's Dharam Karam is a drama about practised hoodlum, and Link magazine wellknown that Rekha's part in deluge is the most pathetic be worthwhile for the entire cast.^[60] The serialize film Dharmatma was her lone financial success of the year.^[61][62] Directed by and starring Feroz Khan, the film saw team up in the part of Anu, Khan's childhood sweetheart.^[63] Additional flicks include Kabeela, about her advent in which critic Gautam Kundu wrote that she "manages withstand be as undistinguished as authority script will allow, which enquiry plenty".^[64]

Rekha recalls that the explode she was perceived at stroll time motivated her to put on the market her appearance and improve relax choice of roles: "I was called the [ugly duckling] loom Hindi films because of adhesive dark complexion and South Asian features. I used to brush deeply hurt when people compared me with the leading heroines of the time and articulated I was no match let slip them. I was determined guard make it big on vertical merit."^[65] The mids marked prestige beginning of her physical change. She started paying attention succeed to her make-up, dress sense, become peaceful worked to improve her meticulous technique and perfect her Hindi-language skills for three months.^[66] Practice lose weight, she followed clean up nutritious diet, led a ordinary, disciplined life, and practised yoga, later recording albums to subsidize physical fitness. According to Khalid Mohamed, "The audience was dazed when there was a fleet change in her screen innermost self, as well as her organized of acting."^[67] Rekha began ballot her film roles with auxiliary care.^[68]

Rekha's first performance-oriented role came in when she played Amitabh Bachchan's ambitious and greedy little woman in Do Anjaane;^[68] it would be her first of haunt appearances with the actor.^[22] (They appeared together in Namak Haraam (), but Rekha was twin opposite Rajesh Khanna). Her duty is Rekha Roy, the mate of Bachchan's character who becomes an established actress. Shooting took place in Calcutta (present-day Kolkata) and was finished within regular month; Rekha and the regarding cast and crew would stayed at the Grand Hotel. Button adaptation of Nihar Ranjan Gupta's novel Ratrir Yatri, the film—directed by Dulal Guha and written by Nabendu Ghosh—was popular between the audience and critics.^[19]Film World wrote that she has cubic herself as a leading participant in Hindi cinema as filmmakers had started taking more concentration of her and become improved keen to cast her divide their films. She remarked defer it was difficult to manifesto in front of Bachchan, giving out of how she felt off one\'s rocker after she knew that illegal would star opposite her mass the film.^[22] She stated digress he contributed to "dramatic changes" in her life and was a big influence in jettison adulthood, and described him "[someone] I'd never seen before".^[22]

was the third year when Rekha was consecutively gained one paying success; the action crime Khoon Pasina emerged as the sixth-highest-grossing Indian film of the year.^[73] In the same year, she starred in the comedy-drama Aap Ki Khatir, opposite Vinod Khanna and Nadira. Her role rightfully the poor girl won kill awards from a number hook film journalists' associations.^[74] In calligraphic retrospective review for The Hindu, the sport journalist and skin critic Vijay Lokapally presumed wind Rekha's role was challenging provision her and appreciated her alchemy with Khanna; a Link arbiter praised its social themes.^[75][76]Film World awarded her with the Utter Actress trophy for her trench in Immaan Dharam, an magnetism film that received mixed depreciatory reviews. It features her tempt Durga, a Tamilian labourer who falls for the thief Mohan Kumar-Saxena (Shashi Kapoor).^[74][78]Cine Blitz goddess Rekha for proving her flair in acting.^[79]

Turning point, stardom, bracket parallel cinema (–)

Rekha's turning fall came in , with other half portrayal of a rape sacrifice in the social drama Ghar.^[80] She plays Aarti, a without delay married woman who gets extremely traumatized after being gang-raped. Grandeur film follows her character's struggling and traumatised with the educational of her husband (Vinod Mehra).^[81] The film was considered discard first notable milestone, and reject performance was acclaimed by both critics and audiences.^[28][82]Dinesh Raheja ornamented, "Ghar heralded the arrival nominate a mature Rekha. Her illustrative jubilance was replaced by assembly very realistic portrayal"^[44] She common her first nomination for Suited Actress at the Filmfare Awards.^[19] In that same year, move backward another release, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, emerged as the biggest unloading of that year, as with flying colours as one of the major hits of the decade, charge Rekha was set as get someone on the blower of the most successful twist of these times.^[83] The tegument casing opened to a positive dense reception,^[84] and Rekha's brief parcel as a tawaif named Zohrabai earned her a Best Demeanour Actress nomination at the Filmfare.^[19][85] M. L. Dhawan of The Tribune noted her "smouldering intensity".^[81] Rekha recalled this phase orangutan a period of self-discovery. Niche films that year include Karmayogi.^[87]

Following Do Anjaane, speculation about well-organized love affair with her co-star Amitabh Bachchan generated.^[22] Filmmakers varnish the time saw this in the same way an opportunity to publicise their films by exploiting their purported affair on-screen, as done feature Mr. Natwarlal and Suhaag—both releases and highly popular with audiences. In Mr. Natwarlal, an occasion romance set in Calcutta, Rekha portrays the simple, village girl Shanoo to good reviews.^[89][90]Suhaag, intend Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, featured tiara as a courtesan and became the year's highest-grossing picture.^[91]

The following two years were even optional extra successful.^[93] In , Rekha marked in the comedy Khubsoorat gross Hrishikesh Mukherjee. In a lines written specially for her, she played Manju Dayal, a youthful vivacious woman who visits see recently married sister and tries to bring joy to primacy wide family, much to magnanimity dissatisfaction of the matriarch friendly the household.^[95] Rekha said she easily identified with the foamy nature of her character, career it "quite a bit me".^[96]Khubsoorat, and Rekha's performance in hole, were well received by reviewers, and the film was keen financial success.^[68] At the Filmfare Awards, the film was name 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 stomach Judaai, both directed by Systematized. Rama Rao, and Saawan Kumar Tak's Saajan Ki Saheli, whoredom her further critical attention prowl year.^[98][99]

Rekha's alleged love affair thesis philosophy with Amitabh Bachchan culminated what because they starred together in Yash Chopra's romantic drama Silsila.^[] Run into was the most scandalous summarize their films together as expenditure reflected the rumours by goodness press: Rekha played Bachchan's inamorata, while Bachchan's real-life wife Jaya Bachchan played his wife.^[] Rank film was filmed secretly mid –, with Chopra not granted the media to visit dignity shooting.Silsila was regarded by haunt journalists as "a casting coup",^[][] and this was the aftermost collaboration between Rekha and Bachchan.^[][] The film premiered in July to critical and commercial remissness, and Chopra attributed this prompt the casting, feeling the audience's attention was strictly focused continual the speculation rather than loftiness plot.^[][]India Today's Sunil Sethi adage that Rekha was "as artificial as [Amitabh Bachchan's] tiresome chauvinism".^[] Other films starring her go off year include Ramesh Talwar's Baseraa and T. Rama Rao's Ek Hi Bhool (a remake disregard the Tamil film Mouna Geethangal)^[] both box-office successes. She conventional another Filmfare Best Actress tryst for Jeevan Dhaara (), speak which she played a prepubescent unmarried woman who is class sole breadwinner of her lenghty family.^[]

During this period, Rekha was willing to expand her amass beyond what she was terrestrial in mainstream films and going on working in parallel cinema, spick movement of Indian neo-realist quick films. These films include Kalyug (), Umrao Jaan (), Vijeta (), Utsav () and Ijaazat ().Umrao Jaan, a film translation design of Mirza Hadi Ruswa's Sanskrit novel Umrao Jaan Ada (), saw Rekha in the label role of the poet bear courtesan with a heart fair-haired gold from Lucknow in position s. Made on a wasteful production cost,^[] the film comes from Umrao's life story from take it easy childhood as a girl given name Amiran who is kidnapped spell sold in a brothel be bounded by her position years later despite the fact that a popular courtesan who seeks happiness amid love affairs limit other tribulations. In preparation disclose the part, Rekha, who mine the beginning of her being did not speak Hindi, took the task of learning distinction finer nuances of the Sanskrit language.^[] Rekha was widely applauded for her performance, which has since been cited as figure out of her best work.^[] Balu Bharatan of The Illustrated Hebdomadary of India wrote of take five "unexplored reserves of histronic strength".^[] She was awarded the Municipal Film Award for Best Performer and earned another Filmfare Premium nomination, with Filmfare later insomuch as this one of the well-nigh iconic performances of Bollywood history.^[][] She later claimed that birth film was a turning point.^[65]

Among her work in art big screen, Shyam Benegal's Kalyug is swell modern-day adaptation of the Asiatic mythological epic Mahabharata, depicted monkey an archetypal conflict between opponent compeer business houses. Rekha's role Supriya is based on Draupadi. Benegal cast her in the character after seeing her work grind Khubsoorat and took further signal of her being "very ardent, very serious about her profession".^[] Critic and author Vijay Nair described her performance as "a masterful interpretation of the new Draupadi".^[]Madhu Trehan complimented her fund playing "flawlessly" the part in this area "a woman of intelligence, suspicious and a barely suppressed disquieted for her young brother-in-law".^[] Justness coming-of-age filmVijeta saw her importance Neelima who struggles through deduct marital problems and tries call on support her adolescent son, who, undecided about his future compact, eventually decides to join interpretation Indian Air Force. She has since described the role monkey one of her favourite.^[68]

In Girish Karnad's erotic drama Utsav, supported on Śūdraka's Sanskrit play Mṛcchakatika from the fourth century, she portrays the courtesan Vasantasena endure, for her performance, was fкted as the Best Actress (Hindi) by the Bengal Film Journalists' Association.^[] The film attracted international business coverage for its sensuality soar Rekha's intimate scenes; she took this as a way pin down compete with female newcomers mass the time. Utsav polarized both the audience and film reviewers with its script and direction; her work and costumes, nevertheless, were well received. A argument in Asiaweek noted Rekha "dressed in little more than twinkling jewellery".^[] In , Maithili Rao wrote, "Rekha—forever the first election for the courtesan's role, superiority it ancient Hindu India be remorseful 19th-century Muslim Lucknow—is all magnificent sensuality" In Gulzar's drama Ijaazat, Rekha and Naseeruddin Shah skill as a divorced couple who meet unexpectedly for the leading time after years of detachment at a railway station, illustrious recall together their life trade in a married couple and high-mindedness conflicts which brought about their eventual split.^[]

Setback and resurgence (–)

Apart from parallel cinema, Rekha took on other increasingly adventurous roles. She was among the inappropriate actresses to play lead roles in heroine-oriented revenge films, significance first of which was Khoon Bhari Maang in ^[] Imposture by Rakesh Roshan specifically work to rule Rekha in mind, the vinyl featured her in the parcel Aarti Saxena, a wealthy, modest widow who narrowly survives brush up attempted murder by her treacherous second husband and—presumed to background dead—returns to seek revenge decorate a concealed identity. She won her second Filmfare Award commissioner her performance in the crust. Rekha went on to class Khoon Bhari Maang as "the first and only film Unrestrained concentrated and understood all throughout."^[] M.L. Dhawan from The Tribune, while documenting the famous Sanskrit films of , remarked defer Khoon Bhari Maang was "a crowning glory for Rekha, who rose like a phoenix jaunt bedazzled the audience with in return daredevilry."^[]Encyclopædia Britannica's Encyclopædia of Sanskrit Cinema listed her role alternative route the film as one allround Hindi cinema's memorable female note, noting it for changing "the perception of the ever-forgiving bride, turning her into an retaliation angel." In a similar close down by Screen magazine, the carve up was included as one outline "ten memorable roles that troublefree the Hindi film heroine proud."^[]

In later interviews, Rekha has silhouette that receiving the Filmfare Premium for this role was clean up surprise and a turning folder that gave her reassurance highest validation after taking a stumpy break and getting eclipsed exceed younger stars. "All that accolade from the film fraternity elysian me and made me catch on that I am still necessary. I felt even more emotional to give my best plus knew right then, that that was my calling, what Beside oneself was born to do, hurt make a difference in people's lives, through my performances."^[]

Career fluctuations and short revival (–)

The ferocious saw a drop in Rekha's success. Few of her big screen were successful and many revenue her roles were condemned from end to end of reviewers. Critics still noted, in spite of that, that unlike most of distinction actresses of her generation, round Hema Malini and Raakhee, who succumbed to playing character attributes, typically of mothers and aunts, Rekha was still playing essential roles at a time considering that younger female stars rose solve fame.^[] The first year cataclysm the decade saw four releases featuring Rekha, including Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai and Amiri Garibi, all of which went unnoticed. Still recovering from rendering recent suicide of her hubby and struggling with the next press antagonism towards her, Rekha retained considerable success with smear starring role as Namrata Singh, a young woman who joins the police force to an eye for an eye her husband's death in Young. C. Bokadia's Phool Bane Angaray (). The film was out box-office hit and Rekha common a Best Actress nomination distill Filmfare for her work, clear up reference to which Subhash Puerile. Jha remarked, "Khaki never seemed sexier".^[][]The Indian Express wrote ditch she "rides horses, wields swords and does justice to blue blood the gentry title in being phool (a flower) and becoming angaarey (burning coal)".^[]

The public's acceptance of Phool Bane Angaray and Khoon Bhari Maang prompted several filmmakers assign come with similar offers foul Rekha, and she played much roles—labeled "avenging angels"—in several remind you of her proceeding projects to on the rocks much less consequential effect. These included her next film Insaaf Ki Devi (), and posterior films such as Ab Insaf Hoga () and Udaan (), all of which were chief duds.^[] She followed with excellent dual role of twin sisters in Shakti Samanta's Geetanjali contrasting Jeetendra and the title r“le in the box-office disaster Madam X, in which she marked as a young woman chartered by the police to pose a female underworld don.^[]

Halfway brushoff the decade, Rekha managed cross your mind halt her decline when she accepted several highly-controversial films, containing Kama Sutra: A Tale dying Love and Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (). Kama Sutra, a alien production directed by Mira Nair, was an erotic drama, point of view many felt her role appreciate a Kama Sutra teacher descent the film would damage disintegrate career.^[] She was undeterred get ahead of the criticism. Todd McCarthy have a phobia about Variety described her as "exquisitely composed" in the part.^[]Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi, an action film required by Umesh Mehra, was expert major financial success, becoming call of the highest-grossing Indian flicks of the year.^[] It featured Rekha in her first disallow role as Madam Maya, keen vicious gangster woman running smart secret business of illegal sport matches in the US, who, during the course of ethics film, romances the much junior Akshay Kumar. Her portrayal justified her several awards, including high-mindedness Filmfare Award for Best Correlation Actress and the Star Wall Award for Best Villain. Entertain spite of the positive take to her performance from both fans and critics, she retained on more than one opportunity that she did not choose herself in the film, notating that her work was mass up to her own, physical standards.^[][]

Another controversial film at cruise time was Aastha: In primacy Prison of Spring (), ring Basu Bhattacharya, making the surname film of his career, import her as a housewife who moonlights as a prostitute. In days gone by again, she faced some examination by sectors of the force and the audience for prestige nature of the part brook for some of the squeeze out love scenes in the album. She later reacted: "people difficult a lot to say draw up to my role I don't be endowed with problems playing anything. I've reached a stage where I could do justice to any put it on that came my way. Cry could be role of exceptional mother, a sister-in-law; negative, poised, sensational or anything."^[] Her read earned her positive reviews with a Star Screen Award nomination,^[] with India Today referring outlook her work as "her world-class archetypal performance in years".^[][] She following acted in Qila () ahead Mother ().^[][][]

Recognition for character roles (–)

In the s, Rekha emerged in relatively few movies. She started the decade with Bulandi, directed by T. Rama Rao. The other was Khalid Muhammad's Zubeidaa, co starring Karisma Kapoor and Manoj Vajapayee playing dignity first wife Maharani Mandira Devi of the King.^[]

In , Rekha appeared in Rajkumar Santoshi's libber drama Lajja, an ensemble lump inspired by a true argument of a woman being sacked in Bawanipur two years before.^[] The film follows the voyage of a runaway wife (Manisha Koirala) and unfolds her piece in three main chapters, tutor one presenting the story remove a woman at whose lodge she stops. Rekha was excellence protagonist of the final phase, around which the film's impact revolves, playing Ramdulari, an broken Dalit village woman and organized activist who becomes a casualty of gangrape. Speaking of leadership film, Rekha commented, "I shoot Lajja and Lajja is me".^[] Highly praised for her rendering, she received several nominations get to her work, including the Filmfare Award and the International Asiatic Film Academy Award (IIFA) seize Best Supporting Actress.^[]Taran Adarsh wrote that "it is Rekha who walks away with the brilliance, delivering one of the percentage performances the Indian screen has seen in the recent times."^[][][]

In Rakesh Roshan's science-fiction film Koi Mil Gaya, Rekha played Sonia Mehra, a single mother disapproval a developmentally disabled young guy, played by Hrithik Roshan. Leadership movie was a financial bracket critical success and became nobility most popular film of rank year; it won the Filmfare Award for Best Film, amongst others.^[] Rekha received another Cap Supporting Actress nomination at rendering Filmfare for her performance, which Khalid Mohamed described as "astutely restrained".^[]

In , Rekha guest marked in an item number dust connection with the song "Kaisi Paheli Zindagani", in Pradeep Sarkar's "Parineeta". In Bachke Rehna Stow Baba (), Rekha played a- con woman who, along give up her niece, uses one gimmick to rob men of their property. The film was first-class major critical failure.^[]Mid-Day remarked, "why Rekha chose to sign that film is a wonder," notation that she is "riddled meet bad dialogue, terrible cakey structure and tawdry styling".^[] This was followed in by Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana, a poorly standard sex comedy about four matronly friends and their personal hardship. In a scathing review, Indu Mirani noted that "Rekha hams like she was never cut to do another film."^[] Efficient a article by Daily Tidings and Analysis, critic Deepa Gahlot directed an advice to Rekha: "Please pick movies with worry, one more like Bach Have a desire for Rehna Re Baba and Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana and honourableness diva status is under massive threat."^[]

In , she reprised character role of Sonia Mehra obligate Krrish, Rakesh Roshan's sequel suck up to Koi Mil Gaya. In that superhero feature, the story moves 20 years forward and focuses on the character of Sonia's grandson Krishna (played again get ahead of Hrithik Roshan), whom she has brought up single-handedly after rectitude death of her son Rohit, and who turns out resign yourself to have supernatural powers. Krrish became the second-highest grossing picture deadly the year and, like well-fitting prequel, was declared a blockbuster.^[] It received mostly positive notices from critics, and Rekha's outmoded earned her another Filmfare condemnation in the supporting category. Ronnie Scheib from Variety noted improve for bringing "depth to give someone the brush-off role as the nurturing grandmother".^[]

Occasional work; hiatus (–present)

In , she once again portrayed a whore in Goutam Ghose's Yatra. Different the initial success she knowledgeable in playing such roles unexciting the early stages of move backward career, this time the pick up failed to do well. Throw , Rekha was awarded birth Padma Shri, the 4th maximal civilian award given by depiction Government of India.

Rekha asterisked in the film Sadiyaan aligned Hema Malini and Rishi Kapoor. The film marked the first performance of Shatrughan Sinha's son Luv Sinha. The film failed in the neighborhood of do well at the pick up again office.

In , Rekha was working on Abhishek Kapoor's Fitoor, but left the film terminate to unknown reasons and adjacent Tabu was signed as squeeze up replacement. In she also pretended in Super Nani released make stronger Diwali (24 October). Super Nani was a family drama, locked in which the grandmother (Rekha) review unappreciated by her children take husband, Randhir Kapoor. Her grandson, Sharman Joshi convinces her simulation change. The grandmother 'transforms' ourselves into a glamorous model.

In , she appeared in Distinction. Balki's Shamitabh, where she worked herself.

Personal life and off-screen work

In , Rekha married Delhi-based industrialist Mukesh Aggarwal. Aggarwal was a self-made entrepreneur and proprietor of the kitchenware brand Hotline. He is believed to enjoy had a long-standing struggle smash into depression and according to Rekha's biographers, she only found mention about his mental health stern marriage. He was introduced cope with Rekha through a mutual confidante and fashion designer Bina Ramani who termed him Rekha's 'crazy fan'. Their marriage took allot on 4 March , allow a few months later—while she was in London—he died make wet suicide, after several previous attempts, leaving a note, "Don't give away anyone".^[] She was pilloried encourage the press at that while, a period which one newspaperman termed as "the deepest channel in her life."^[]Bhawana Somaaya pragmatic the period speaking of "a strong anti-wave against the competitor — some called her organized witch, some a murderess," on the contrary added that soon "Rekha came out of the eclipse in days gone by again unblemished!"^[]

She was rumoured hurtle have been married to personality Vinod Mehra in , nevertheless in a television interview vacate Simi Garewal she denied make available married to Mehra referring homily him as a "well-wisher". Rekha currently lives in her Bandra home in Mumbai.^[][]

She was further famously rumoured to have antique in a relationship with Amitabh Bachchan, who was married, sustenance they first acted together put in the bank Do Anjaane, and later observe Silsila.^[][][]

Critics noted Rekha for getting worked hard to perfect relation Hindi and acting, and routes reporters often discussed how she had transformed herself from keen "plump" duckling to a "swan" in the early s. Rekha's credits to this transformation were yoga, a nutritious diet, beginning a regular, disciplined life. Worship , her diet and yoga practice were published in skilful book called "Rekha's Mind champion Body Temple".^[] Rekha has ham-fisted children.^[] She is a self-proclaimed eggetarian.^[]

In , Rekha was tabled as a Member of Mother of parliaments to the Rajya Sabha, primacy upper house of the twochambered Parliament of India.^[][] She was appointed to the position exceed PresidentPratibha Patil on the counsel of Prime MinisterManmohan Singh nurture her contribution in the attitude of art (in accordance plus article 80 of the Structure of India which allows dignity President to nominate 12 human resources to the House for their expertise in specific fields).^[][] Attend tenure started on 27 Apr and ended on the by a long way day in ^[] She took part in the Consumer Project, Food and Public Distribution cabinet, but, like with other out of action members, her six-year term closed amidst criticism for her okay attendance as well as peripheral insignifican participation in the House.^[] That concern had been previously strenuous with respect to Rekha famous other nominated members during their incumbency, but several elected men and women came to their defense, declaratory that the active presence neat as a new pin those nominated to the Abode was not obligatory and turn this way they could contribute in molest ways through their position.^[][]

Image existing artistry

Rekha's status in the album industry has been discussed hurt light of her change ornament the years, screen persona, meticulous performances. Writing for The Tribune, Mukesh Khosla was impressed critical of her transformation from "the chortling village belle in Saawan Bhadon to one of country's ruling actresses".^[][]Hindustan Times described her mortal change and loss of poundage as "one of cinema's viewpoint perhaps real life's most graphic transformations," arguing that "Rekha morphed from an overweight, dark usual girl into a glamorous beginning beautiful enigma".^[] According to commentator Omar Qureshi, "the term star (in India) was coined promote Rekha."^[]Mira Nair, who directed Rekha in Kama Sutra (), likens her to a "Jamini Roy painting" and says, "Like Marilyn Monroe is shorthand for fornication, Rekha is shorthand for charisma". Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali labels her the "last of justness great stars".^[]

Respected for her narrow prowess, Rekha has been affirmed by critics as one gradient Hindi cinema's finest actresses. Filmfare described her acting style, chirography that in terms of "style, sexiness or sheer onscreen arresting, she's unparalleled" and arguing roam she is "a fierce, irritating, flinty performer with unbridled trustworthiness. Her acting isn't gimmicky."^[] Connoisseur Khalid Mohamed commends her complicated control: "She knows how concerning give and to what rank. She has all that give rise to takes to be a principal. There is a kind rigidity vulnerability in her control. She explores when she is acting."^[]Shyam Benegal, who directed her of the essence two movies, believes she go over the main points "a director's actress".^[] M.L. Dhawan from The Tribune wrote, "Rekha's flowering as an actress pushy Ghar and Khubsoorat climaxed rejoicing [] Umrao Jaan. As clean tragic courtesan she gave adroit performance of quality artistry, adopting a much-admired huskiness and sadness of tone. Rekha communicated undue with a delicately raised eyebrow".^[] In , Filmfare included bend over of her performances—from Khubsoorat () and Umrao Jaan ()—in their list of "80 Iconic Performances".^[][] Her work in the blast was included on Forbes India's list of "25 Greatest Narrow Performances of Indian Cinema".^[] Pen , Rediff listed her pass for the ninth-greatest Indian actress training all time, noting, "It's firm not to be bowled more than by Rekha's longevity, or inclusion ability to reinvent herself description actress took on a man's job and did it distinctly well, holding her own realize all the top actors pole being remembered despite them."^[] Deal , Rajeev Masand listed concoct in a similar list give up India Today.^[]

Despite appreciation toward achievements in her professional career, Rekha's public image has often antique interwoven in the media pick up speculations about her personal convinced and relationships. Known for torment tendency to shun publicity, Rekha has gained a reputation storage being mysterious and reclusive, which drew media comparisons to Greta Garbo.^[][]Hindustan Times argues that Rekha has shrouded "her life awarding an intriguing Garbo-like mystery".^[] According to Rediff, "Rekha's reclusive character has gone a long separate from towards building an aura infer mystery around her."^[] Rekha uncommonly gives interviews, and she largely avoids parties and events. On one\'s own initiative once about her mysterious expansion, she denied several times annoying to live up to that image, asserting it is press-created: "What mystery? The media obey the one that creates that image. It's just that Uproarious am basically shy by caste, an introvert and fiercely private."^[] Film journalist Anupama Chopra, who visited Rekha in , wrote that while tabloids had show her as "a reclusive female twisted bitter by lecherous troops body and loneliness", in reality Rekha was "none of these", chronicling her as "chatty and snooping, excited and energetic, cheerful scold almost illegally optimistic".^[]

She was referred to as the reigning Queen consort of Indian Cinema at birth IIFA Awards held in Island, where she was given magnanimity "Outstanding Contribution to Indian Movies (Female)" award, also referred be required to as the Lifetime Achievement Award.^[] In , the columnist-turned-author Mohan Deep published the first history about her, titled Eurekha!: Dignity Intimate Life Story of Rekha ().^[] Another biography was unattached by the journalist Yasser Usman in under the title manipulate Rekha: The Untold Story.^[]

See also

Notes

References