Rekha is an Indian actress who has had a prolific career in Hindi films,[1] and is acknowledged as one of the finest actresses of Indian cinema.[2] She first appeared as a child artist in two Telugu-language films Inti Guttu (1958) and Rangula Ratnam (1966),[3][4] but her career as a lead started with the Kannada film Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 in 1969. In that same year, she starred in her first Hindi film, Anjana Safar, which was delayed for ten years due to censorship problems.[a] Her first Hindi release was Sawan Bhadon (1970), a commercial success which established her as a rising star.[6] She followed with roles in Raampur Ka Lakshman (1972), Kahani Kismat Ki (1973), and Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974),[7] to mainstream success but little recognition for her acting, and press criticism of her looks and overweight.[1] Rekha was motivated to improve her acting and appearance and managed a well-publicised transformation, both physically and in terms of her screen persona and command of the Hindi language.[8][9] Her work in the 1976 drama Do Anjaane was better received,[10] and critical recognition of her roles as a rape victim in Ghar and a courtesan in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) marked the beginning of the most successful period of her career.[6][11]

A photograph of Rekha looking towards the camera
Rekha at the Screen Awards, 2008

Through most of the 1980s and early 1990s, she was one of the leading actresses in Hindi cinema.[12] Her comic role in Khubsoorat (1980) earned her a first Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[13] Further mainstream success came with roles in a myriad of family and drama films such as Baseraa (1981), Silsila (1981), Ek Hi Bhool (1981), Jeevan Dhaara (1982), and Agar Tum Na Hote (1983).[7] During this period, she extended her work into arthouse films, a movement of neo-realist films known in India as parallel cinema, often to favourable reviews.[2] These films included Kalyug (1981), Umrao Jaan (1981), Vijeta (1982), Utsav (1984), and Ijaazat (1987). Her acclaimed portrayal of the eponymous classical courtesan in Umrao Jaan won her the National Film Award for Best Actress.[14][15] Her work during the decade included sporadic dubbing and playback singing.[16] Having credited her physical change to diet and yoga practice, she released an exercise audio, Rekha's Mind and Body Temple (1983).[17][18] A period of decline during the middle of the decade was followed by Khoon Bhari Maang,[19][7] among the first of a new trend of women-centred revenge films,[20] which starred Rekha in the role of a woman avenging her attempted murder by her husband, and earned her a second Best Actress Filmfare Award.[13][12]

Her work was much less frequent in subsequent decades. Most of her films in early 1990s mostly met with lukewarm reviews and were rejected by the audience.[21] She was cast in several parts similar to that in Khoon Bhari Maang, the great majority of which failed to leave a similar mark, except for considerable success with Phool Bane Angaray (1991).[22] In 1996, she won a third Filmfare Award, in the Best Supporting Actress category, for her negative turn of an underworld don in the action thriller Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), one of the year's highest-earning Hindi films.[13][23] She accepted parts in two controversial films: a Kama Sutra instructor in Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996) and a housewife moonlighting as a prostitute in Aastha: In the Prison of Spring (1997), to critical acclaim but some public scrutiny. In the 2000s, she was praised for her supporting roles in the 2001 dramas Zubeidaa and Lajja,[13] and started playing mother roles, among which was her role in the science fiction Koi... Mil Gaya (2003) and its superhero sequel Krrish (2006). While her leading roles in the comedies Bachke Rehna Re Baba (2005) and Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana (2006) were met with disapproval by critics,[24] her supporting part in Yatra (2006) was better reviewed.[25][26] This was followed by a long hiatus from film work, during which she appeared twice over the following decade in Sadiyaan (2010) and Super Nani (2014).[27][28]

Films

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Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
1958 Inti Guttu Telugu film (child artist) [3]
1966 Rangula Ratnam Telugu film (child artist) [29]
1969 Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 Mona Kannada film (debut in lead role) [30]
1970 Amma Kosam Geetha Telugu film [31]
Sawan Bhadon Chanda [6]
1971 Haseenon Ka Devata Sunita / Chhabili [32]
Elaan Mala Mehta / Mary [33]
Dost Aur Dushman Special appearance [34]
Saaz Aur Sanam Pushpa [33]
1972 Zameen Aasmaan Kalpana [35]
Sazaa Courtesan Special appearance [36]
Gora Aur Kala Phoolwa [37]
Gaon Hamara Shaher Tumhara Parvati (Paro) [38]
Ek Bechara Kavita [39]
Do Yaar Seema [40]
Double Cross Rekha [40]
Raampur Ka Lakshman Rekha Chaudhary [41]
1973 Mehmaan Sheela [40]
Khoon Khoon Rekha [42]
Keemat Sudha [41]
Kashmakash Seeta [40]
Kahani Kismat Ki Rekha [41]
Dharma Asha/Radha Double role [43]
Barkha Bahar Ganga [40]
Anokhi Ada Neeta Gupta [44]
Namak Haraam Shyama [45]
1974 Woh Main Nahin Anjali [46]
Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye Janniya/Sheetal [47]
Hawas Cameo [48]
Duniya Ka Mela [49]
Do Aankhen [40]
1975 Zorro Zorro [50]
Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja Rina [51]
Dafaa 302 Rajkumari Rekhadevi [52]
Dharmatma Anu [53]
[54]
Aakraman Sheetal [55]
Dharam Karam Basanti [56]
1976 Suntan Sarita [40]
Khalifa Rekha [40]
Kabeela Shobha [40]
Do Anjaane Rekha Roy/Sunita Devi [57]
Aaj Ka Mahaatma Mala [58]
Nagin Sunita [59]
1977 Saal Solvan Chadya Wedding entertainer [40]
Ram Bharose Kiran [60]
Kachcha Chor Asha [61]
Farishta Ya Qatil [61]
Dildaar Lata [62]
Chakkar Pe Chakkar Shila Sahini [62]
Alaap Radha Kumari (Radhiya) [63]
Aap Ki Khatir Sarita [62]
Immaan Dharam Durga [63]
Khoon Pasina Chanda [63]
Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein Guest appearance [40]
1978 Saawan Ke Geet Radha [40]
Ram Kasam Radha [40]
Rahu Ketu Tulsi [61]
Parmatma Deepa [40]
Muqaddar [40]
Karmayogi Rekha [40]
Bhola Bhala Champa [40]
Aakhri Daku
Ganga Ki Saugandh Dhaniya
Ghar Aarti Chandra Nomination, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Kasme Vaade Dancer Special appearance
Do Musafir Bijli
Muqaddar Ka Sikander Zohrabai Nominated—Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
1979 Muqabla Qawwali singer Special appearance
Mr. Natwarlal Shanno
Jaani Dushman Champa
Prem Bandhan Mahua
Kartavya Nita
Suhaag Basanti
Do Shikaari Sunita
Ahinsa Radha
Gol Maal Cameo
Naya Bakra Qawwali singer Special appearance
1980 Ram Balram Shobha
Maang Bharo Sajana Radha
Khubsoorat Manju Dayal Winner, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Judaai Gauri Nomination, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Kali Ghata Rekha/Rashmi Double role
Jyoti Bane Jwala Courtesan Special appearance
Jal Mahal Namita/Gayatri Devi/Rekha
Agreement Mala Mathur
Neeyat Rekha
Aanchal Tulsi
1981 Umrao Jaan Amiran/Umrao Jaan Winner, National Film Award for Best Actress
Saajan Ki Saheli Moon-Moon Dhawan
Chehre Pe Chehra Daisy
Kalyug Supriya
Mangalsutra Gayatri B. Prasad
Khoon Aur Paani Champa
Daasi Tara
Silsila Chandni
Baseraa Purnima Kohli (Nima)
Ghungroo Ki Awaaz Kajal/Kiran Gomes/Rani
Ek Hi Bhool Sadhana Srivastav
Chashme Buddoor Cameo
1982 Vijeta Neelima
Mehndi Rang Layegi Kalpana
Ghazab Jamuna
Jeevan Dhaara Sangeeta Shrivastav Nomination, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Raaste Pyar Ke Gauri
Apna Bana Lo Roopadevi
Deedar-E-Yaar Husna
1983 Prem Tapasya Bela
Nishaan Rita
Film Hi Film Cameo
Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye Shakuntala Nomination, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
Agar Tum Na Hote Purnima Mehra/Radha Bedi Double role
1984 Bindiya Chamkegi Radha
Maati Maangey Khoon Shyamlee (Courtesan)
Asha Jyoti Asha
Baazi Asha
Zameen Aasmaan Kanchan gupta
Utsav Vasantsena
Jhutha Sach Alka
Paan Khaye Saiyan Hamaar Cameo Bhojpuri Film
1985 Ram Tere Kitne Nam Mrs. Radha Aloknath Gupta
Faasle Maya
Jhoothi Kalpana Srivastav
1986 Sadaa Suhagan Laxmi
Musafir Saraswati Pillai
Insaaf Ki Awaaz Inspector Jhansi Rani
Jaal Amita S. Singh / Meenabai
Locket Shalu
Janbaaz Opera singer in "Pyaar Do Pyaar Lo" Special appearance
1987 Pyar Ki Jeet Soni
Ijaazat Sudha
Apne Apne Sharda Kapoor
Sansar Uma Sharma
Jaan Hatheli Pe Geeta Verma
Khazana Anita Mathur
1988 Soorma Bhopali Cameo
Khoon Bhari Maang Aarti Verma/Jyoti Winner, Filmfare Best Actress Award
Ek Naya Rishta Aarti Saxena
Biwi Ho To Aisi Shalu Mehra
Akarshan Herself Uncredited walk-past cameo [64]
1989 Kasam Suhaag Ki Surajmukhi/Shama
Clerk Mrs. Sneh Kapoor
Souten Ki Beti Radha S. Verma
Ladaai Shakuntala Verma
Bhrashtachar Bhavani
Bahurani Madhuri/Malti Chaudhary
1990 Sheshnaag Champa
Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai Sharda Dayal Sharma
Azaad Desh Ke Gulam Bharti Bhandari
Amiri Garibi Sona
Aag Ka Darya Unreleased
1991 Yeh Aag Kab Bujhegi Professor Radha
Phool Bane Angaray Namrata Singh Nomination, Filmfare Best Actress Award
1992 Insaaf Ki Devi Sadhana Verma
1993 Geetanjali Anjali Mehra/Geeta Bhardwaj
1994 Madam X Madam X/Sonu Double role
1995 Nishana Bharti
Ab Insaf Hoga Jankidevi Prasad
1996 Aurat Aurat Aurat Sita Vajpai
Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi Maya Winner, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love Rasa Devi (Teacher)
1997 Aastha: In the Prison of Spring Mansi
Udaan Varsha Sahay
1998 Qila Yamini
1999 Mother Asha Britannia
2000 Bulandi Lakshmi
2001 Zubeidaa Maharani Mandira Devi
Censor Ms. Shrivastav
Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachaao Kamini Mathur
Lajja Ramdulaari Nomination, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
2002 Dil Hai Tumhaara Saritaji
2003 Bhoot Sarita
Koi... Mil Gaya Sonia Mehra Nomination, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
2005 Bachke Rehna
Re Baba
Rukmini/Richa/Gurpreet
Parineeta Moulin Rouge singer in "Kaisi Paheli Zindagaani" Special appearance
2006 Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana Mayuri
Krrish Sonia S. Mehra Nomination, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
2007 Yatra Lajwanti
Om Shanti Om Cameo
2010 Sadiyaan Amrit
2013 Krrish 3 Sonia Mehra
2014 Super Nani Bharti Bhatia
2015 Shamitabh Herself
2018 Yamla Pagla Deewana: Phir Se Cameo in "Rafta Rafta Medley"

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2020,2021,2023 Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin Herself Promotion

Dubbing

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Year Title Role Actor Notes Ref(s)
1986 Aakhree Raasta Vinita Bhatnagar Sridevi [65]
[66]
1988 Waaris Paramjeet "Paro" Smita Patil [67]
1999 Sooryavansham Sharda Jayasudha [68]
Radha Soundarya

Voice Acting

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2021 Bigg Boss 15 Vishwa Suntree Reality show [69]

Playback singing

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Year Film Song Music director Notes Ref(s)
1980 Khubsoorat "Qayda Qayda" R. D. Burman
1983 Agar Tum Na Hote "Kal To Sunday Ki Chhuti"
1983 Ek Naya Rishta "Ehsaas Ka Sauda Hai" Khayyam

Exercise audio

edit
Year Title Notes Ref(s)
1983 Rekha's Mind and Body Temple [17][18]

See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ The film released in 1979 under a different title, Do Shikaari.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Ganti 2004, p. 132.
  2. ^ a b Gulzar, Nihalani & Chatterjee 2003, p. 614.
  3. ^ a b Kavirayani, Suresh (19 November 2019). "'Sridevi brought me here'". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  4. ^ Guy, Randor (28 November 2008). "Tale of a celluloid poet". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2 December 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  5. ^ Usman 2016, p. 46.
  6. ^ a b c Ganti 2004, p. 133.
  7. ^ a b c Raheja, Dinesh (17 May 2003). "Rekha: The divine diva". Rediff.com. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  8. ^ Mohamed, Khalid (June 2002). "Love, anger, the works!". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  9. ^ Usman 2016, p. 89–90.
  10. ^ Usman 2016, p. 86.
  11. ^ Usman 2016, p. 100–102.
  12. ^ a b Bumiller 1991, p. 185.
  13. ^ a b c d Gupta, Rachit (10 October 2018). "Rekha's top 20 roles". Filmfare. The Times Group. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  14. ^ Prasad, Shishir; Ramnath, N.S; Mitter, Sohini (27 April 2013). "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema". Forbes India. Network 18. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  15. ^ "29th National Film Awards" (PDF). iffi.nic.in. Directorate of Film Festivals. 1982. p. 62. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  16. ^ Chaudhuri 2014, p. 425.
  17. ^ a b Rekha (1986). Rekha Interview: रेखा का वो इंटरव्यू जो आपको ज़रूर देखना चाहिए... (BBC Hindi). YouTube (in Hindi and English). London: BBC HIndi. Event occurs at 15:54. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  18. ^ a b Munshi 2004, p. 168.
  19. ^ Usman 2016, p. 166–167.
  20. ^ Rahman, M. (15 July 1988). "Hindi films: On screen, it is no longer men alone who is spilling blood". India Today. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  21. ^ Usman 2016, p. 184.
  22. ^ "Box Office 1991". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 2 January 2010. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  23. ^ "Box Office 1996". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 2 September 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  24. ^ Usman 2016, p. 191.
  25. ^ Mohamed, Khalid (4 May 2007). "Review: Yatra". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  26. ^ Gupta, Shubhra (1 November 2007). "Yatra". The Indian Express. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  27. ^ "From Aishwarya Rai to Rekha: the Bollywood comeback brigade". Hindustan Times. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  28. ^ Chopra, Anupama (31 October 2014). "Super Nani Movie Review". Film Companion. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  29. ^ Usman 2016, p. 34.
  30. ^ Nathan, Archana (10 October 2017). "Rekha before Bollywood: A gawky teenager, a Bond girl". Scroll.in. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  31. ^ "Want to return to Tollywood: Rekha". The New Indian Express. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  32. ^ Usman 2016, p. 47.
  33. ^ a b Usman 2016, p. 64.
  34. ^ Dost Aur Dushman (motion picture) (in Hindi). Shiv Paras Productions. 1971.
  35. ^ "Zameen Aasman (1972)". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  36. ^ Sazaa (motion picture) (in Hindi). Kapur Films. 1972.
  37. ^ "Gora Aur Kala (1972)". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  38. ^ "Gaon Hamara Shehar Tumhara". The Illustrated Weekly of India. Vol. 98, no. 4. The Times Group. 1977. p. 21.
  39. ^ Usman 2016, p. 65.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1999, p. 186.
  41. ^ a b c Usman 2016, p. 72.
  42. ^ Ramachandran, T. M. (1973). "Khoon Khoon: What a murder!". Film World. Vol. 9. p. 43.
  43. ^ Kohli, Suresh (2 May 2013). "Dharma (1973)". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  44. ^ "Anokhi Ada (1973)". The Hindu. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  45. ^ Lokapally, Vijay (26 June 2014). "Namak Haraam (1973)". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  46. ^ Lokapally, Vijay (15 October 2015). "Woh Main Nahin (1974)". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  47. ^ "Film: Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye". Shankar's Weekly. Vol. 26, no. 2. 1973. p. 22.
  48. ^ Usman 2016, p. 121.
  49. ^ Bahar, Barkha (29 September 1974). "Film: Duniya Ka Mela". Shankar's Weekly. Vol. 27, no. 2–26. p. 22. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  50. ^ "Desi superheroes of Bollywood". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
  51. ^ Mehta, Rita K., ed. (1990). "Nana is a very sensitive issue". Cine Blitz. Blitz Publications. p. 124.
  52. ^ Usman 2016, p. 82.
  53. ^ Kohli, Suresh (17 January 2013). "Dharmatma (1975)". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  54. ^ Usman 2016, p. 74.
  55. ^ Kumar, Anuj (29 June 2017). "Aakraman (1975)". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  56. ^ Salam, Ziya Us (18 February 2016). "Dharam Karam (1975)". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  57. ^ Usman 2016, p. 81.
  58. ^ "Aaj Ka Mahaatma (1976)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 7 March 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  59. ^ "Nagin". The Illustrated Weekly of India. Vol. 97. The Times Group. 15 February 1976. p. 35.
  60. ^ "Ram Bhorose (1977)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 9 June 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  61. ^ a b c Usman 2016, p. 97.
  62. ^ a b c Usman 2016, p. 94.
  63. ^ a b c Usman 2016, p. 92.
  64. ^ Akarshan Hindi Full Length Movie. Eagle Home Entertainments. Event occurs at 52:00.
  65. ^ Bhattarcharya, Roshmilla (17 September 2014). "Rekha's Big B connection". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  66. ^ "Sridevi grilled!". Cine Blitz. August 1986. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  67. ^ Somaaya, Bhawana (24 November 2000). "The highs and lows – a recollection". The Hindu. The Hindu Group. Archived from the original on 1 January 2004.
  68. ^ "(unknown title)". Cine Blitz. Vol. 25, no. 2. Blitz Publications. September–December 1999. p. 14.
  69. ^ "Bigg Boss 15: Rekha joins Salman Khan in new promo for the show, watch". Hindustan Times. 22 August 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

Bibliography

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