Rekha is an Indian actress who has had a prolific career in Hindi films, and is acknowledged as one of the finest actresses of Indian cinema. She first appeared as a child artist in two Telugu-language films Inti Guttu (1958) and Rangula Ratnam (1966),[1] [2] 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. Her first Hindi release was Sawan Bhadon (1970), a commercial success which established her as a rising star. She followed with roles in Raampur Ka Lakshman (1972), Kahani Kismat Ki (1973), and Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974),[3] to mainstream success but little recognition for her acting, and press criticism of her looks and overweight. 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.[4] Her work in the 1976 drama Do Anjaane was better received, 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.
Through most of the 1980s and early 1990s, she was one of the leading actresses in Hindi cinema. Her comic role in Khubsoorat (1980) earned her a first Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[5] 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).[3] 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. 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.[6] [7] Her work during the decade included sporadic dubbing and playback singing. Having credited her physical change to diet and yoga practice, she released an exercise audio, Rekha's Mind and Body Temple (1983).[8] A period of decline during the middle of the decade was followed by Khoon Bhari Maang,[3] among the first of a new trend of women-centred revenge films,[9] 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.[5]
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. 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).[10] 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.[5] [11] She accepted parts in two controversial films: a Kama Sutra instructor in (1996) and a housewife moonlighting as a prostitute in (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,[5] 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, her supporting part in Yatra (2006) was better reviewed.[12] [13] 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).[14] [15]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Inti Guttu | Telugu film (child artist) | ||
| 1966 | Rangula Ratnam | Telugu film (child artist) | ||
| 1969 | Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 | Mona | Kannada film (debut in lead role) | [16] |
| 1970 | Amma Kosam | Geetha | Telugu film | [17] |
| Sawan Bhadon | Chanda | |||
| 1971 | Haseenon Ka Devata | Sunita / Chhabili | ||
| Elaan | Mala Mehta / Mary | |||
| Dost Aur Dushman | Special appearance | [18] | ||
| Saaz Aur Sanam | Pushpa | |||
| 1972 | Zameen Aasmaan | Kalpana | [19] | |
| Sazaa | Courtesan | Special appearance | [20] | |
| Gora Aur Kala | Phoolwa | [21] | ||
| Gaon Hamara Shaher Tumhara | Parvati (Paro) | [22] | ||
| Ek Bechara | Kavita | |||
| Do Yaar | Seema | |||
| Double Cross | Rekha | |||
| Raampur Ka Lakshman | Rekha Chaudhary | |||
| 1973 | Mehmaan | Sheela | ||
| Khoon Khoon | Rekha | [23] | ||
| Keemat | Sudha | |||
| Kashmakash | Seeta | |||
| Kahani Kismat Ki | Rekha | |||
| Dharma | Asha/Radha | Double role | [24] | |
| Barkha Bahar | Ganga | |||
| Anokhi Ada | Neeta Gupta | [25] | ||
| Namak Haraam | Shyama | [26] | ||
| 1974 | Woh Main Nahin | Anjali | [27] | |
| Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye | Janniya/Sheetal | [28] | ||
| Hawas | Cameo | |||
| Duniya Ka Mela | [29] | |||
| Do Aankhen | ||||
| 1975 | Zorro | Zorro | [30] | |
| Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja | Rina | [31] | ||
| Dafaa 302 | Rajkumari Rekhadevi | |||
| Dharmatma | Anu | [32] | ||
| Aakraman | Sheetal | [33] | ||
| Dharam Karam | Basanti | [34] | ||
| 1976 | Suntan | Sarita | ||
| Khalifa | Rekha | |||
| Kabeela | Shobha | |||
| Do Anjaane | Rekha Roy/Sunita Devi | |||
| Aaj Ka Mahaatma | Mala | [35] | ||
| Nagin | Sunita | [36] | ||
| 1977 | Saal Solvan Chadya | Wedding entertainer | ||
| Ram Bharose | Kiran | [37] | ||
| Kachcha Chor | Asha | |||
| Farishta Ya Qatil | ||||
| Dildaar | Lata | |||
| Chakkar Pe Chakkar | Shila Sahini | |||
| Alaap | Radha Kumari (Radhiya) | |||
| Aap Ki Khatir | Sarita | |||
| Immaan Dharam | Durga | |||
| Khoon Pasina | Chanda | |||
| Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein | Guest appearance | |||
| 1978 | Saawan Ke Geet | Radha | ||
| Ram Kasam | Radha | |||
| Rahu Ketu | Tulsi | |||
| Parmatma | Deepa | |||
| Muqaddar | ||||
| Karmayogi | Rekha | |||
| Bhola Bhala | Champa | |||
| 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 | [38] | |
| 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 | ||
| Rasa Devi (Teacher) | ||||
| 1997 | 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 | Cameo in "Rafta Rafta Medley" | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Actor | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Aakhree Raasta | Vinita Bhatnagar | Sridevi | [39] [40] | |
| 1988 | Waaris | Paramjeet "Paro" | Smita Patil | [41] | |
| 1999 | Sooryavansham | Sharda | [42] | ||
| Radha | Soundarya |
| Year | Film | Song | Music director | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||