Rekha
The Mumbai Film Industry, or ‘Bollywood,’ as it is affectionately known, is among the world’s biggest and busiest film industries where actresses are one of the most important foundations of filmmaking, and their selection establishes the tone for the film and decides its ultimate success or failure.
Bollywood has produced some of the most talented women in cinema history. From the Black and White period to the present, there have already been numerous performers in Hindi films who have won the hearts of millions of viewers with their lovable acting techniques. When it comes to the Bollywood film world, there are a few names that we cannot neglect, one such name is Rekha.
Early life
On October 10, 1954, in Madras, India, Rekha was born. She was born to act. Her mother Pushpavalli was a Telugu actress, and her father Gemini Ganesan was a well-known Tamil actor. Her mom and dad are reported to have never tied a bridal knot. People believe Rekha’s father didn’t even declare his paternity when she was born.
There were allegations about her father’s connection with Telugu actress Savitri before she was 10 years old, which caused her mother much pain. As a result, her mother began living with her children in her own different house. She was supposed to stop her studies since she was connected to her mother, and her health gradually worsened. She grew up and started acting at fourteen for her mother’s treatment and financial support. She began working in the Indian film industry in the early 1970s.
Film Career
Because there was a lot of financial pressure in her house at the time, she had no choice but to act. She was looking for work at that time, and because both of her parents worked in the Telugu film industry, she was able to secure a role in one film named Rangula Ratnam, which was her first public debut as a child actress (in 1966). Her first leading role as a heroine was in the Kannada film Goadalli CID 999. She appeared in Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi films. Her Hindi movie Sawan Bhadon was a box office hit. This film rocketed her to celebrity in a moment.
After that, she was offered many opportunities, but most of them required her to play a glamorous girl. And thus, she appeared in several films, some of which were highly acclaimed. Rampur Ka Lakshman, Kahani Kismat Ki, and Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye are just a few of them. In 1976, she was cast in Amitabh Bachchan’s film ‘Do Anjaane,’ which was among the significant part of her career. She was then offered many challenging roles in various genres, which she accepted and proven her talent. Muqaddar Ka Sikandar was well-known and well-liked. She then continued to work her way up to the top.
Change in Her Looks
Initially, Rekha was overweight and lacked a strong command of Hindi. And for the same, she has faced much criticism. Even co-stars and her directors made fun of her. “How is this chubby, dark, and uncouth lady ever going to make it?” Shashi Kapoor had commented on Rekha at a picture screening.
Rekha became a gorgeous looking lady from the ugly looking and underweight girl after years of dedication, diet improvements, and several skin-lightening procedures. It is clearly seen to all how stunning she is, even at 67? Before her massive super film, Umrao Jaan, Rekha put forth a lot of effort to learn Hindi as well as she went through several training sessions to learn fluent Urdu. In a nutshell, we can say she did all she could do to keep herself apart from others.
Secret behind Her Evergreen Beauty
Rekha consumes about 10 to 12 glasses of water every day, attends Ayurvedic spas at home, and follows professional advice when it comes to nutrition. What if it’s revealed that Rekha is an expert in the field of makeup, doing the majority of her own work? She works out every day and likes meditation and yoga. She also keeps herself occupied by dancing, gardening, and other household tasks. She is well-known for her remarkable dance abilities and engaging personality. She eats her last meal of the day by 7.30 p.m. to give her body plenty of time to metabolize it.
Marriage
She’s rumored to have been in several affairs. She quickly rose to the top of the most talked-about celebrity. Rekha’s romance with Bollywood actors Jeetendra, Kiran Kumar, Vinod Mehra, and Amitabh Bachchan was well reported in news outlets. However, none of her past relationships worked out, and in 1990, she married Mukesh Aggarwal, a Delhi-based industrialist. But the following year, in 1991, he committed suicide.
Controversies
His life has had several peaks and troughs, and many controversies surrounded her. When she was fifteen years old, she was filming for the film Anjaana Safar, and something like objectionable was shot without her knowledge. After that, it became involved in several controversies, and the topic dragged on for a long period.
There are several debates over her vermilion, including who owns it since her husband is no longer alive. The media questioned in front of everyone in the marriage of film actors Rishi Kapoor and Neeta Kapoor, “For whose behalf is this vermilion?” and “does she undergo a private marriage following her husband’s death?”
Top Movies, She Worked In
Rekha gradually moved to the top of the list. She is presently regarded as one of the most beautiful and elegant actresses in Indian cinema. She appeared in almost 170 films over her career. Here, it is the top ten finest movies she worked in.
- Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978)
- Do Anjane (1976)
- Ghar (1978)
- Khubsoorat (1980)
- Umrao Jaan (1981)
- Silsila (1981)
- Jeevan Dhara (1982)
- Utsav (1984)
- Ijaazat (1987)
- Khoon Bhari Maang (1988)
Source of Income
Rekha’s net worth is 40 million dollars. She charges between 13 and 14 crores to approve a film. For an advertising product, she charges between 5 and 6 crores. Her additional source of income generates from Brand Advertising.
Awards and Achievement
| Index | Award | Category | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | National Film Award | Best Actress | 1982 |
| 2. | Filmfare Award | Best Actress | 1981 |
| 3. | Filmfare Award | Best Actress | 1989 |
| 4. | Filmfare Award | Best Actress | 1997 |
| 5. | Filmfare Award | Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award | 2003 |
| 6. | IIFAA Award | Samsung Diva Award | 2003 |
| 7. | IIFAA AwardOutstanding | Achievement in Indian Cinema | 2012 |
| 8. | Star Screen Award | Best Villain | 1997 |
| 9. | Zee Cine Award | Lifetime Achievement | 2006 |
| 10. | Zee Cine Award | Forever Diva Award | 2007 |
| 11. | Stardust Award | Role Model of the Year | 2006 |
| 12. | Stardust Award | Stardust Editor’s Choice Icon of the Industry | 2010 |
| 13. | Bollywood Movie Award | Best Supporting Actress | 2004 |
Rekha 2021 Cars Collection
| Index | Model No. | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Land Rover Discovery | Rs 60 lakh |
| 2. | BMW 3 Series | Rs 45 lakh |
| 3. | Mitsubishi Outlander | Rs 32 lakh |
| 4. | Tata Nexa | Rs 20 lakh |
Political Career
Many politicians opposed her when she became a member of the Rajya Sabha since she was absent from the meeting. Rekha’s nomination was also proposed in the Rajya Sabha in April 2012 with Sachin Tendulkar, and she was appointed to the Food, Consumer Affairs, and Public Distribution Committee. She remains present in the Rajya Sabha only for 80 days out of 348 days.