Rekha, a celebrated Indian actress, is renowned for her remarkable contributions to cinema. This detailed biography explores her life, career, and significant moments.
Wiki/Biography
Rekha was born on October 10, 1954, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Her zodiac sign is Libra. She attended Church Park Convent School in Chennai. Initially aspiring to be an air hostess, she was deemed too young. Later, thoughts of becoming a nun were replaced by the necessity to work in Telugu films due to her family’s financial struggles. She began her acting journey at just 13 years old with the Telugu film Rangula Ratnam.
Physical Appearance
Here’s a summary of Rekha’s physical attributes:
- Height: 5′ 6″
- Weight: 60 kg
- Hair Color: Black
- Eye Color: Brown
Family, Caste & Husband
Rekha hails from a Hindu family. Her father, Gemini Ganesan, was a prominent Tamil actor, and her mother, Pushpavalli, was a Telugu actress. Her parentage was a subject of discussion, with her father initially not acknowledging her. She has a sister, Radha, a half-brother, Sathish Kumar Ganesan, and five half-sisters: Kamala Selvaraj, Jaya Sreedhar, Vijaya Chamundeswari, Revathi Swaminathan, and Narayani Ganesh.
Sexual Orientation
Media reports in July 2023 speculated about a relationship between Rekha and her manager, based on interpretations of a biography. However, the author of the biography explicitly denied these claims as fabrications.
Career
Rekha’s career spanned various film industries. She debuted in 1966 with the Kannada film Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999, followed by the Telugu film Amma Kosam. Her Bollywood debut was in Sawan Bhadon, necessitating her to learn Hindi. She achieved significant success with films such as Raampur Ka Lakshman, Kahani Kismat Ki, Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye, Do Anjaane, Ghar, and Muqaddar Ka Sikandar.
Her role in Khubsoorat (1980) won her a Filmfare Award, and her iconic portrayal of Umrao Jaan earned her a National Award. She collaborated extensively with Amitabh Bachchan in several successful films, notably Silsila (1981).
Beyond acting, she lent her voice to other actresses, dubbing for Neetu Singh and Smita Patil in Yaarana and Waaris respectively. She even ventured into singing, contributing two songs to Khoobsoorat.
Controversies
Rekha’s life has been marked by several controversies. These include:
- An incident during the filming of Anjana Safar where an on-screen kiss with Biswajit Chatterjee reportedly went beyond the script.
- Her relationship with Vinod Mehra, including speculation about a secret marriage and conflict with his mother.
- Her appearance at Rishi Kapoor’s wedding in a white saree with red bindi and sindoor, leading to much speculation about her interactions with Amitabh Bachchan.
- The suicide of her husband, Mukesh Agarwal, which resulted in public scrutiny.
- A controversial magazine cover shoot with Kajol.
- An almost-kiss with Hrithik Roshan at an award function.
Signatures
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Net Worth
Rekha’s net worth is estimated at $30 million.
Favourite Things
Here are some of Rekha’s preferences:
| Category | Preference |
|---|---|
| Actress | Kangana Ranaut |
| Actor | Dilip Kumar |
| Colors | Golden, Red |
Facts
Rekha’s hobbies include poetry, yoga, and charcoal sketching. She resides in Bandra, Mumbai, follows a vegetarian diet, and enjoys solitude, gardening, and painting. Known for punctuality, she’s styled herself throughout her career. She was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2012 and is often referred to as “The Bollywood Queen,” “Rekhaji,” and “Madame X”.
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