Daughter of Gemini Ganesan and Pushpavalli born in 1954. She was obese and plump in her first films in the early 70s but underwent a spectacular transformation and became the ageless icon of beauty and glamour of Bollywood. In 1996, Rekha played the teacher of the Kama Sutra in the controversial film Kama Sutra: A Tale Of Love. She does yoga every day to maintain her ageless look. Is a follower of Wicca. She formed a popular screen couple with Amitabh Bachchan.

Rekha did her first film as a child artist was “Rangula Ratnam” which was in Telugu language. As an actress she performed her first film in Kannada was “Goadalli CID 999” released in 1969 with the actor Dr. Rajkumar. In 1970, Rekha’s two films were released such as “Amma Kosam” (in Telugu) and “Sawan Bhadon” (in Hindi). Sawan Bhadon was her first hit film and she became star. She was a glamorous girl and did many films. Some of them were Raampur Ka Lakshman, Kahani Kismat Ki and Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye.

From 1978, turning point came when she performed role in the movie “Ghar” with the actor Vinod Mehara. She got first Filmfare nomination for best actress for that film. She performed “Muqaddar Ka Sikandar” during same year and film was big hit film of the year. In this film she played opposite to Amitabh Bachchan.

After Muqaddar Ka Sikandar she performed many films with the Bachchan and gave many hit films. The pair of Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha was much hit on box office but their relationship in personal life also very famous in media. But their relationship was ended in the year 1981 when they performed together in film “Silsila” directed by Yash Chopra. Rekha maintained herself because of yoga, a healthy diet, and disciplined life.

In 1981, she gave hit film “Umrao Jaan” in which she played role of young girl who is hijacked and sold to brothel. She received National Award for this film. Her role from this film was very famous. In the year 1981 others films were also released such as “Kaliyug” directed by Shyam Benegal, “Baseraa” directed by Talwar and “Ek Hi Bhool” with actor Jeetendra. She performed in art films also such as Jeevan Dhaara, Ijaazat and Utsav.

She likes to take risks. She was one of from those actresses who played leading role in actress oriented films. Actress oriented films were Khubsoorat, Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye and Khoon Bhari Maang.

Her recent films after 2001 are “Lajja” directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and performed with Madhuri Dixit, Anil Kapoor and Manisha Koirala, “Dil Hai Tumhara” directed by kundan Shaha and performed with Preity Zinta and Mahima Choudhari, “Zubeida” directed by Shyam Benegal, “Koi.. Mil Gaya” directed by Rakesh Roshan and co-stars Hritik Roshan and Preity Zinta.

Rekha got married with Mukesh Agarawal who was a businessman in Delhi but he did suicide in 1991. In the 1973 he married with Vinod Mehara but he also died. Now days she is living with the secretary named as Farzana in the Bandra.

Films Done By Rekha

1958 Inti Guttu Child actress Telugu film
1966 Rangula Ratnam Child actress Telugu film
1969 Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 Mona Debut lead role Kannada film
1970 Sawan Bhadon Chanda Debut film in Hindi
1970 Amma Kosam Gita Telugu film
1971 Haseenon Ka Devata Sunita/Chabili
1971 Elaan Mala Mehta / Mary
1971 Dost Aur Dushman Special Appearance
1972 Zameen Aasmaan Kalpana
1973 Sazaa Special Appearance
1973 Gora Aur Kala Phoolwati
1973 Mehmaan Sheela
1974 Woh Main Nahin Anjali
1975 Zorro Rajkumari Rekha
1976 Suntan Sarita
1976 Khalifa Rekha
1976 Kabeela Shobha
1976 Do Anjaane Rekha Roy/Sunita Devi
1976 Aaj Ka Mahaatma Mala
1976 Nagin Sunita
1977 Saal Solvan Chadya Wedding entertainer
1977 Ram Bharose Kiran
1977 Kachcha Chor Asha
1978 Saawan Ke Geet
1978 Ram Kasam
1978 Rahu Ketu Tulsi
1978 Parmatma Deepa
1978 Muqaddar
1978 Karmayogi Rekha
1978 Bhola Bhala Champa
1979 Muqabla Qawwali singer
1979 Ahinsa Radha
1979 Gol Maal Guest Appearance (herself)
1979 Naya Bakra Qawwali singer Guest Appearance
1980 Ram Balram Shobha
1980 Maang Bharo Sajana Radha
1980 Khubsoorat Manju Dayal Winner, Filmfare Best Actress Award
1980 Judaai Gauri Singh/Gauri S. Verma Nomination, Filmfare Best Actress Award
1981 Umrao Jaan Amiran/Umrao Jaan Winner, National Film Award for Best Actress
1981 Saajan Ki Saheli Moon-Moon Dhawan
1981 Chehre Pe Chehra Daisy
`1981 Kalyug Supriya
1982 Vijeta Neelima
1982 Mehndi Rang Layegi
1982 Ghazab Jamuna
`1`982 Jeevan Dhaara Sangeeta Shrivastav Nomination, Filmfare Best Actress Award
1982Raaste Pyar Ke Gauri
1982 Apna Bana Lo Roopadevi
1982 Deedar-E-Yaar Husna
1983 Prem Tapasya Bela
1983 Nishaan Rita
1983 Film Hi Film Special Appearance
1983 Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye Shakuntala Nomination, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
1983 Agar Tum Na Hote Purnima Mehra / Radha Bedi
1984 Bindiya Chamkegi Radha
1985 Ram Tere Kitne Nam Mrs. Radha Aloknath Gupta
1986 Sadaa Suhagan Laxmi
1986 Musafir
1986 Insaaf Ki Awaaz Inspector Jhansi Rani
1986 Jaal Amita S. Singh / Meenabai
1986 Locket Shalu
1986 Janbaaz item number Special Appearance in song “Pyaar Do Pyaar Lo”
1987 Pyar Ki Jeet Soni
1987 Ijaazat Sudha
1987 Apne Apne Sharda R. Kapoor
1987 Sansar Uma V. Sharma
1987 Jaan Hatheli Pe
1987 Khazana Anita Mathur
1988 Soorma Bhopali Drunk Woman Special Appearance
1988 Khoon Bhari Maang Aarti Verma/Jyoti Winner, Filmfare Best Actress Award
1988 Ek Naya Rishta Aarti Saxena
1988 Biwi Ho To Aisi Shalu Mehra
1989 Kasam Suhaag Ki
1990 Sheshnaag Champa
1990 Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai Sharda Dayal Sharma
1990 Azaad Desh Ke Gulam Bharti Bhandari
1990 Amiri Garibi Sona
1990 Aag Ka Darya
1991 Yeh Aag Kab Bujhegi
1991 Phool Bane Angaray Namrata Singh Nomination, Filmfare Best Actress Award
1992 Insaaf Ki Devi Sadhana S. Verma
1993 Geetanjali Anjali Mehra/Geeta S. Bhardwaj
1994 Madam X Madam X / Sonu Double role
1995 Nishana
1995 Ab Insaf Hoga Jankidevi Prasad
1996 Aurat Aurat Aurat Sita Vajpai
1996 Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi Maya Winner, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
1996 Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love Rasa Devi, teacher of the Kama Sutra
1997 Aastha: In the Prison of Spring Mansi
1997 Udaan Varsha Sahay
1998 Qila Yamini
1999 Mother Asha Britannia
2000 Bulandi Lakshmi
2001 Zubeidaa Maharani Mandira Devi
2001 Censor Ms. Shrivastav (Censor Board Member)
2001 Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachaao Kamini Mathur
2001 Lajja Ramdulaari Nomination, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
2002 Dil Hai Tumhaara Saritaji
2003 Bhoot Sarita
2003 Koi… Mil Gaya Sonia Mehra Nomination, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
2005 Bachke Rehna Re Baba Rukmini/Richa/Gurpreet
2005 Parineeta Moulin Rouge singer Special Appearance in song “Kaisi Paheli Zindagaani”
2006 Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana Mayuri
2006 Krrish Sonia S. Mehra Nomination, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
2007 Yatra Lajwanti
2007 Om Shanti Om As Rekha herself
2010 Sadiyaan Amrit
2013 Krrish 3 Sonia Mehra
2014 Super Nani Bharti Bhatia
2015 Shamitabh Herself
2018 Yamla Pagla Deewana: Phir Se Special Appearance in Rafta Rafta Medley Song