Rekha Height Weight Bra Size Age Biography Family Wiki Net Worth, Affairs, Marriage & much more. Bhanurekha Ganesan (born 10 October 1954), better known by her stage name Rekha, is an Indian actress who appears predominantly in Hindi films. Acknowledged as one of the finest actresses in Indian cinema, she has starred in more than 180 films and is the recipient of several accolades, including one National Film Award and three Filmfare Awards. She has often played strong and complicated female characters—from fictional to literary—in both mainstream and independent films. Though her career has gone through certain periods of decline, Rekha has gained a reputation for reinventing herself numerous times and has been credited for her ability to sustain her status. In 2010, the Government of India honoured her with Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian honour.
The daughter of actors Pushpavalli and Gemini Ganesan, Rekha started her career as a child actress in Telugu films Inti Guttu (1958) and Rangula Ratnam (1966). Her first film as a lead happened with the Kannada movie Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 (1969). Her Hindi debut with Sawan Bhadon (1970) established her as a rising star, but despite the success of several of her early films, she was often panned in the press for her looks and weight. Motivated by criticism, she started working on her appearance and put effort into improving her acting technique and command of the Hindi language, resulting in a well-publicised transformation. Early recognition in 1978 for her performances in Ghar and Muqaddar Ka Sikandar marked the beginning of the most successful period of her career, and she was one of Hindi cinema’s leading stars through most of the 1980s and early 1990s.
For her performance in the comedy Khubsoorat (1980), Rekha received her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress. She followed it with roles in Baseraa (1981), Ek Hi Bhool (1981), Jeevan Dhaara (1982) and Agar Tum Na Hote (1983). While mostly prolific in popular Hindi cinema, during this time she ventured into parallel cinema, a movement of neo-realist arthouse films. These films included dramas such as Kalyug (1981), Vijeta (1982) and Utsav (1984), and her portrayal of a classical courtesan in Umrao Jaan (1981) won her the National Film Award for Best Actress. After a short setback in the mid 1980s, she was among the actresses who led a new trend of women-centred revenge films, starting with Khoon Bhari Maang (1988), for which she won a second Best Actress award at Filmfare.
Her work was much less prolific in subsequent decades. Her roles in early 1990s mostly met with lukewarm reviews. In 1996, she played against type in the role of an underworld don in the action thriller Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), for which she won a third Filmfare Award in the Best Supporting Actress category, and further appeared in Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996) and Aastha: In the Prison of Spring (1997) to critical acclaim but some public scrutiny. During the 2000s, she was praised for her supporting roles in the 2001 dramas Zubeidaa and Lajja, and started playing mother roles, among which was her role in the science fiction Koi… Mil Gaya (2003) and its superhero sequel Krrish (2006), both commercial successes. The lattermost emerged as her highest-grossing release.
Apart from acting, Rekha has served as a member for the Rajya Sabha since 2012. Her private life and public image have been the subject of frequent media interest and discussion. Her pairing opposite Amitabh Bachchan starting in the 1970s in a number of successful films was accompanied by speculation about a love affair between the two, culminating in their starring film Silsila (1981), which was reflective of media projections. Her only marriage to the Delhi-based industrialist and television manufacturer Mukesh Agarwal in March 1990 ended seven months later when he died by suicide. Her public image has often been tied to her perceived sex appeal. Rekha is reluctant to give interviews or discuss her life, which resulted in her being labelled a recluse.
Early life and work
Rekha was born Bhanurekha Ganesan in Madras (present-day Chennai) on 10 October 1954 to South Indian actors Gemini Ganesan and Pushpavalli, when the couple were unmarried. Ganesan was previously married to T. R. “Bobjima” Aramelu and had four children: the Illinois-based radiation oncologist Revathi Swaminathan, the gynecologist Kamala Selvaraj, The Times of India’s journalist Narayani Ganesan, and the medical doctor Jaya Shreedhar. He had two more children with actress Savitri—Vijaya Chamundeswari, a fitness expert, and Sathish Kumaar. Meanwhile, Pushpavalli had two children (Babuji and Rama) from her earlier marriage to the lawyer I. V. Rangachari. Gemini and Pushpavalli had another daughter, Radha (born 1955). Nagaprasad and the actress Shubha are her cousins, while Vedantam Raghavaiah and his wife Suryaprabha are her uncle and aunt, respectively. Rekha’s mother tongue is Telugu, and she is fluent in Hindi and English, having revealed she thinks in the latter.
Rekha did not reveal her family background until mid-1970s. During her unstable childhood, her relationship with her father Gemini was poor. Gemini did not want to recognize her as his daughter and gave her a living. He rarely met both of his children with Pushpavalli, who subsequently married K. Prakash, a cinematographer from Madras, and she legally changed her name to K. Pushpavalli. She gave birth to two more children, Dhanalakshmi (who later married to the actor Tej Sapru) and the dancer Seshu (died 21 May 1991). Due to her mother’s hectic acting schedule at the time, Rekha would often stay with her grandmother. Asked in an interview by Simi Garewal about her father, Rekha believed he was never even aware of her existence. She recalled that her mother often spoke about him and added that despite never having lived with him, she felt his presence all through. Even so, the relationship started to improve five years after Pushpavalli died in 1991. He told a Cine Blitz interviewer of his happiness about this and stated, “Rekha and I have such a good rapport. We are really close.” He died in 2005.
Rekha was one year old when she played a small role in the Telugu-language drama Inti Guttu. Directed by Vedantam Raghavaiah, the film was released in late 1958 and became a commercial success. She was enrolled at a kindergarten when she was at the age of three and next joined the Presentation Convent School in Madras during her adolescence. She also met Narayani, Gemini and Aramelu’s second daughter, at the school when the latter was around nine or ten years old. Always an awkward and lonely girl, she admitted that she experienced childhood obesity. In a 1990 interview to The Illustrated Weekly of India, she called herself as “the fattest girl in the school”. In this period, she developed a love for dances and sports, although never participated in them due to her weight. Because of this, she was bullied by many of her schoolmates, who called her lotta (Tamil for “bastard”). Rekha, describing herself as a “firm believer” in God and destiny, used to spend her time at the school’s chapel. Another brief screen role came with the release of Rangula Ratnam (1966)—a political satire which was popular among the audience—co-starring Pushpavalli and sister Radha.
According to her biographer Yasser Usman, Rekha was asked by Pushpavalli to start an acting career when their family faced financial troubles in 1968, as the latter was sure that it would help them. Although never had interest for acting, Rekha (who was initially aspired to be a flight attendant) obeyed her desire and, at the age of 13 to 14—while she was in ninth grade—she dropped out from school to start a full-time career in acting; she later regretted not having completed her education. A protective sister, she did not let her younger sister Radha to join her, because she wanted Radha to finish hers.
Personal life
In 1990, Rekha married Delhi-based industrialist Mukesh Aggarwal. Aggarwal was a self-made entrepreneur and owner of the kitchenware brand Hotline. He is believed to have had a long-standing struggle with depression and according to Rekha’s biographers, she only found out about his mental health after marriage. He was introduced to Rekha through a mutual friend and fashion designer Bina Ramani who termed him Rekha’s ‘crazy fan’. He proposed marriage to her on March 4, 1990, and a few months later—while she was in London—he committed suicide, after several previous attempts, leaving a note, “Don’t blame anyone”. She was pilloried by the press at that time, a period which one journalist termed as “the deepest trough in her life.” Bhawana Somaaya observed the period speaking of “a strong anti-wave against the actress — some called her a witch, some a murderess,” but added that soon “Rekha came out of the eclipse once again unblemished!”
She was rumoured to have been married to actor Vinod Mehra in 1973, but in a 2004 television interview with Simi Garewal she denied being married to Mehra referring to him as a “well-wisher”. Rekha currently lives in her Bandra home in Mumbai.
She was also rumoured to have been in a relationship with Amitabh Bachchan after they first acted together in Do Anjaane, and later in Silsila.
Critics noted Rekha for having worked hard to perfect her Hindi and acting, and media reporters often discussed how she had transformed herself from a “plump” duckling to a “swan” in the early 1970s. Rekha’s credits to this transformation were yoga, a nutritious diet, and a regular, disciplined life. In 1983, her diet and yoga practice were published in a book called “Rekha’s Mind and Body Temple”. Rekha has no children.
Rekha Age Husband Children Family Biography & More
| Bio | |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Bhanurekha Ganesan |
| Nickname | The Bollywood Queen, Rekhaji, Madame X |
| Profession | Actress |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Height (approx.) | in centimeters- 168 cm in meters- 1.68 m in Feet Inches- 5’ 6” |
| Weight (approx.) | in Kilograms- 60 kg in Pounds- 132 lbs |
| Figure Measurements (approx.) | 34-28-34 |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 10 October 1954 |
| Age (as in 2022) | 68 Years |
| Birth Place | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Zodiac sign/Sun sign | Libra |
| Signature | |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| School | Church Park Convent, Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| College | Not Known |
| Educational Qualifications | Not Known |
| Debut | As a Child Artist– Rangula Ratnam (Telugu, 1966) As Female Lead– Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 (Kannada, 1969) |
| Family | Father– Gemini Ganesan (Tamil Actor) Mother– Pushpavalli (Telugu Actress) Brother– Sathish Kumar Ganesan Sisters– Kamala Selvaraj, Radha, Jaya Sreedhar, Vijaya Chamundeswari, Revathi Swaminathan, Narayani Ganesh |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Address | Sea Spring, Bungalow No.2, B.J. Road, Bandra (West), Mumbai. 400050 |
| Hobbies | Writing Poetry, Doing Yoga, Making Charcoal Sketches |
| Controversies | • 15-year-old Rekha became a victim of a controversy during the shoot of her ‘supposed’ debut film, Anjana Safar. According to an excerpt from Rekha’s biography, the scene featuring Rekha and Biswajeet Chatterjee, the male lead, was supposed to be a short romantic scene with no intimate/offensive actions. However, when the camera rolled, Biswajeet grabbed Rekha and started to smooch her. The director kept yelling ‘cut’ but the lead actor was in no mood to stop. The Biography further alleges that both the actor and the director had planned out this heinous act for their personal and commercial benefits respectively. • It is a common Known fact that Rekha had a love fling with actor Vinod Mehra. According to reports, the duo got married in a secret ceremony in Kolkata. But, when the groom took Rekha to his house, his mother acted highly hostile to her. She reportedly pushed Rekha away when the actor tried to touch her mother-in-law’s feet. She refused to let the new ‘bride’ enter the house and kept abusing and humiliating Rekha who kept standing at the door. Vinod tried to keep matters under control but his mother was too agitated. His mother even took off her sandals and almost assaulted Rekha with it. • Rishi Kapoor & Neetu Singh were getting married on 22nd January 1980. Their wedding ceremony, which was being attended by a number of notable Bollywood personalities also included the likes of Amitabh Bachchan and his wife, Jaya Bachchan. Suddenly, Rekha stormed into the venue; dressed up in a white Sari with a Red Bindi on forehead and Sindoor on her hair, Rekha headed directly in Amitabh Bachchan’s direction and confronted him for around 5 minutes. Meanwhile, Jaya could hardly bear this sight and eventually gave way to tears. To date, the exact conversation between the two is not known and has thus given way to absurd speculations. • According to the book- Rekha: The Untold Story, Rekha’s late entrepreneur husband, Mukesh Agarwal, was a patient of chronic depression and was even seeing a psychiatrist for the same. Just after 7-months of their marriage, cracks started to appear in the relationship as Mukesh began exhibiting erratic behavior. He kept Rekha in the dark about his failing business, became too overbearing and started embarrassing her by leaving his work in Delhi and hanging around on her sets for no reason. A few days later, On October 2, 1990, Mukesh committed suicide by hanging himself to his bedroom’s ceiling fan. People all over the country started blaming and hating her and even declared her a man-eater ‘witch’. • Rekha and Kajol had shot for the cover of a popular magazine back in 90s, where the two ladies tucked themselves into one sweater. The cover of the magazine had created quite an uproar throughout the country. However, there has been no explanation given for the idea behind the shoot. • On seeing Hrithik Roshan at the red carpet of an award function, Rekha got so excited that when she leaned in to greet him, she almost had an ‘accidental’ lip-lock. |
| Favourite Things | |
| Favourite Actress | Kangana Ranaut |
| Favourite Actor | Dilip Kumar |
| Favourite Colours | Golden, Red |
| Boys, Affairs and More | |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Affairs/Boyfriends | Biswajit Chatterjee, Actor Late Vinod Mehra, Former Actor Sajid Khan, Actor Late Navin Nischol, Actor Jeetendra, Actor Shatrughan Sinha, Actor Yash Kohli, Film Producer Amitabh Bachchan, Actor Late Mukesh Agarwal, Entrepreneur Akshay Kumar, Actor (Rumoured) |
| Husband/Spouse | Late Vinod Mehra (rumored) Late Mukesh Agarwal (m. January 1990; d. October 1990) |
| Children | Son– N/A Daughter– N/A |
| Money Factor | |
| Net Worth | $30 million |
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Inti Guttu | — |
| 1966 | Rangula Ratnam | — |
| 1969 | Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 | Mona |
| 1970 | Sawan Bhadon | Chanda |
| Amma Kosam | Gita | |
| 1971 | Haseenon Ka Devata | Sunita/Chabili |
| Elaan | Mala Mehta/Mary | |
| Dost Aur Dushman | ||
| 1972 | Zameen Aasmaan | Kalpana |
| Sazaa | ||
| Gora Aur Kala | Phoolwa | |
| Gaon Hamara Shaher Tumhara | Parvati “Paro” | |
| Ek Bechara | Kavitha | |
| Do Yaar | ||
| Double Cross | Rekha | |
| Raampur Ka Lakshman | Rekha Choudhury | |
| 1973 | Mehmaan | Sheela |
| Khoon Khoon | ||
| Keemat | Sudha | |
| Kashmakash | ||
| Kahani Kismat Ki | Rekha | |
| Dharma | Mrs. Asha Singh | |
| Barkha Bahar | ||
| Anokhi Ada | Neeta Gupta | |
| Namak Haraam | Shyama | |
| 1974 | Woh Main Nahin | Anjali |
| Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye | Janniya/Sheetal | |
| Hawas | ||
| Duniya Ka Mela | ||
| Do Aankhen | ||
| 1975 | Zorro | Zorro |
| Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja | Rina | |
| Dafaa 302 | ||
| Dharmatma | Anu | |
| Aakraman | Sheetal | |
| Dharam Karam | Basanti | |
| 1976 | Suntan | Sarita |
| Khalifa | Rekha | |
| Kabeela | Shobha | |
| Do Anjaane | Rekha Roy/Sunita Devi | |
| Aaj Ka Mahaatma | Mala | |
| Nagin | Sunita | |
| 1977 | Saal Solvan Chadya | Wedding entertainer |
| Ram Bharose | Kiran | |
| Kachcha Chor | Asha | |
| Farishta Ya Qatil | ||
| Ek Hi Raasta | ||
| 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 | Dancer | |
| 1978 | Saawan Ke Geet | |
| Ram Kasam | ||
| Rahu Ketu | Tulsi | |
| Parmatma | Deepa | |
| Muqaddar | ||
| Karmayogi | Rekha | |
| Bhola Bhala | Champa | |
| Aakhri Daku | ||
| Ganga Ki Saugandh | Dhaniya | |
| Ghar | Aarti Chandra | |
| Kasme Vaade | Dancer | |
| Do Musafir | Bijli | |
| Muqaddar Ka Sikander | Zohrabai | |
| 1979 | Muqabla | Qawwali singer |
| Mr. Natwarlal | Shanno | |
| Jaani Dushman | Champa | |
| Prem Bandhan | Mahua | |
| Kartavya | Nita | |
| Suhaag | Basanti | |
| Do Shikaari | Sunita | |
| Ahinsa | Radha | |
| Gol Maal | Herself | |
| Naya Bakra | Qawwali singer | |
| 1980 | Ram Balram | Shobha |
| Maang Bharo Sajana | Radha | |
| Khubsoorat | Manju Dayal | |
| Judaai | Gauri Singh/Gauri S. Verma | |
| Kali Ghata | Rekha/Rashmi | |
| Jyoti Bane Jwala | Courtesan | |
| Jal Mahal | Namita / Gayatri Devi / Rekha | |
| Agreement | Mala Mathur | |
| Neeyat | Rekha | |
| Aanchal | Tulsi | |
| 1981 | Umrao Jaan | Amiran/Umrao Jaan |
| 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 aka Nima | |
| Ghungroo Ki Awaaz | Kajal/Kiran Gomes/Rani | |
| Ek Hi Bhool | Sadhana Srivastav | |
| Chashme Buddoor | Herself | |
| 1982 | Vijeta | Neelima |
| Mehndi Rang Layegi | ||
| Ghazab | Jamuna | |
| Jeevan Dhaara | Sangeeta Shrivastav | |
| Raaste Pyar Ke | Gauri | |
| Apna Bana Lo | Roopadevi | |
| Deedar-E-Yaar | Husna | |
| 1983 | Prem Tapasya | Bela |
| Nishaan | Rita | |
| Film Hi Film | ||
| Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye | Shakuntala | |
| Agar Tum Na Hote | Purnima Mehra / Radha Bedi | |
| 1984 | Bindiya Chamkegi | Radha |
| Maati Maangey Khoon | Shyamlee (Courtesan) | |
| Asha Jyoti | Asha | |
| Baazi | Asha | |
| Zameen Aasmaan | ||
| Utsav | Vasantsena | |
| Jhutha Sach | Alka | |
| Paan Khaye Saiyan Hamaar | Courtesan ‘Dil De Be Na Ham’ | |
| 1985 | Ram Tere Kitne Nam | Mrs. Radha Aloknath Gupta |
| Faasle | Maya | |
| Jhoothi | Kalpana Srivastav | |
| 1986 | Sadaa Suhagan | Laxmi |
| Musafir | ||
| Insaaf Ki Awaaz | Inspector Jhansi Rani | |
| Jaal | Amita S. Singh / Meenabai | |
| Locket | Shalu | |
| Janbaaz | item number | |
| 1987 | Pyar Ki Jeet | Soni |
| Ijaazat | Sudha | |
| Apne Apne | Sharda R. Kapoor | |
| Sansar | Uma V. Sharma | |
| Jaan Hatheli Pe | ||
| Khazana | Anita Mathur | |
| 1988 | Soorma Bhopali | Drunk Woman |
| Khoon Bhari Maang | Aarti Verma/Jyoti | |
| Ek Naya Rishta | Aarti Saxena | |
| Biwi Ho To Aisi | Shalu Mehra | |
| 1989 | Kasam Suhaag Ki | |
| 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 | ||
| 1991 | Yeh Aag Kab Bujhegi | |
| Phool Bane Angaray | Namrata Singh | |
| 1992 | Insaaf Ki Devi | Sadhana S. Verma |
| 1993 | Geetanjali | Anjali Mehra/Geeta S. Bhardwaj |
| 1994 | Madam X | Madam X / Sonu |
| 1995 | Nishana | |
| Ab Insaf Hoga | Jankidevi Prasad | |
| 1996 | Aurat Aurat Aurat | Sita Vajpai |
| Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi | Maya | |
| Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love | Rasa Devi, teacher of the Kama Sutra | |
| 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 (Censor Board Member) | |
| Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachaao | Kamini Mathur | |
| Lajja | Ramdulaari | |
| 2002 | Dil Hai Tumhaara | Saritaji |
| 2003 | Bhoot | Sarita |
| Koi… Mil Gaya | Sonia Mehra | |
| 2005 | Bachke Rehna Re Baba | Rukmini/Richa/Gurpreet |
| Parineeta | Moulin Rouge singer | |
| 2006 | Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana | Mayuri |
| Krrish | Sonia S. Mehra | |
| 2007 | Yatra | Lajwanti |
| Om Shanti Om | ||
| 2010 | Sadiyaan | Amrit |
| 2013 | Krrish 3 | Sonia Mehra |
| 2014 | Super Nani | Bharti Bhatia |
| 2015 | Shamitabh | Herself |
| 2018 | Yamla Pagla Deewana: Phir Se |
Dubbing
| Year | Title | Role | Actor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Aakhree Raasta | Vinita Bhatnagar | Sridevi |
| 1988 | Waaris | Paramjeet “Paro” | Smita Patil |
| 1999 | Sooryavansham | Sharda, Radha | Jayasudha, Soundarya |
Playback singing
| Year | Film | Song | Music director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Khubsoorat | “Qayda Qayda” | R. D. Burman |
| 1983 | Agar Tum Na Hote | “Kal To Sunday Ki Chhuti” | R. D. Burman |
| 1983 | Ek Naya Rishta | “Ehsaas Ka Sauda Hai” | Khayyam |
Exercise video
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1983 | Rekha’s Mind and Body Temple |