Rakhee Gulzar is one of the most respected and celebrated Indian actresses in the history of Bollywood. Known for her expressive eyes, powerful performances, and dignified presence, she has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.
From romantic leads to strong maternal roles, Rakhee’s journey reflects the evolution of the Indian film industry itself. This blog post explores her biography, career, personal life, and achievements, offering a complete profile of this legendary actress and model.
Early Life and Upbringing
independence. She hails from Ranaghat, a town in West Bengal, India. Her family migrated from Meherpur, now in Bangladesh, before the partition. Her father ran a successful jute business, but the family faced financial struggles after relocating.
- Date of Birth: 15 August 1947
- Birthplace: Ranaghat, West Bengal
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Religion: Hindu
- Education: High School Graduate
Rakhee received her early education at a local girls’ school. She initially aspired to become a scientist, but circumstances led her to the world of films.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Raakhee Majumdar |
| Nickname | Rakhee |
| Alternative Name(s) | Raakhee Gulzar, Rakhee Biswas |
| Date of Birth | 15 August 1947 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 77 years |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Ranaghat, West Bengal |
| Hometown | Ranaghat, West Bengal |
| Current Address | Panvel, Maharashtra |
| Education Qualification | High School Graduate |
| Hobbies and Interests | Reading, Gardening, Animal care |
| Languages Known | Hindi, Bengali, English |
| Social Media Profiles link | Facebook , Instagram |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Rakhee Gulzar – Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile link | Rakhee Gulzar – IMDb |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Average build |
| Measurements | 42-34-36 |
| Height | 5’2.5″, 159 cm |
| Weight | 154 lbs, 70 kg |
| Chest | 42 inches |
| Waist | 34 inches |
| Biceps | 15 inches |
| Eye Colour | Light brown |
| Hair Colour | Dark brown |
| Hairstyle | Salt & pepper, short |
| Distinctive Features | Arched eyebrows |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Rakhee’s personal life has been as dramatic as her on-screen roles. She married twice. Her first marriage was to Ajay Biswas, a Bengali journalist and filmmaker, which ended in divorce. Later, she married the renowned poet and lyricist Gulzar in 1973.
- Spouse: Gulzar (separated)
- Children: Meghna Gulzar (daughter, filmmaker)
- Siblings: Shibranjan Majumdar, Shankar Mazumdar
Rakhee and Gulzar separated shortly after the birth of their daughter. Despite their separation, they never legally divorced and maintained a cordial relationship. Meghna grew up with both parents and later became a successful director.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Separated |
| Spouse – Husband | Gulzar |
| Father | Jute businessman |
| Mother | Homemaker |
| Children | Meghna Gulzar |
| Siblings | Shibranjan Majumdar, Shankar Mazumdar |
| Affairs – Boyfriend(s) | Gulzar romance |
| Significant Relationships | Gulzar romance |
Rise to Stardom
Rakhee made her acting debut in the Bengali film Badhu Baran (1967). Her first Hindi film was Jeevan Mrityu (1970), opposite Dharmendra. She quickly rose to fame with hits like Sharmeelee (1971), Daag (1973), and Kabhi Kabhie (1976).
Her performances were praised for their emotional depth and realism. She became known for portraying strong, independent women and complex characters.
- Sharmeelee (1971)
- Lal Patthar (1971)
- Daag (1973)
- Kabhi Kabhie (1976)
- Tapasya (1976)
Rakhee Gulzar – Selfie
Rakhee Gulzar – Debut Film – Badhu Bharan
Rakhee Gulzar – Successful Film – Tapasya
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Rakhee’s career spans over four decades, with more than 90 films to her credit. She worked with top directors like Yash Chopra and starred opposite legends like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, and Shashi Kapoor.
- Filmfare Awards: 3 wins, 16 nominations
- National Film Awards: 2 wins
- Padma Shri: Awarded in 2003
- BFJA Awards: Best Actress for Paroma
She is the only actress to play both the romantic lead and mother to Amitabh Bachchan in different films. Her versatility and grace earned her critical acclaim and audience love.
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actress |
| Debut Film | Badhu Bharan (1967) |
| Notable Roles | Daag, Tapasya, Kabhi Kabhie, Ram Lakhan, Baazigar |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Nirban, Aamar Boss, Shubho Mahurat |
| Upcoming Films | Aamar Boss |
| Popular Television Series | Kala Patthar |
| Awards and Achievements | Padma Shri, 2 National Awards, 3 Filmfare Awards, BFJA Awards |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | N/A |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | N/A |
| Professional Associations | N/A |
| Training and Education | High School Graduate |
| Production Company | N/A |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Karan Arjun, Baazigar, Ram Lakhan, Border, Kabhi Kabhie |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Tapasya, Daag, 27 Down, Paroma, |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Dollars | $13–16 million |
| Per Movie Charges in Dollars | N/A |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Dollars | N/A |
| Sponsorship Deals | N/A |
| Business Ventures | Costume design, voice work, cameo appearances |
| Investments | Farmhouse upkeep, personal projects |
| Real Estate Holdings | Panvel farmhouse, former Khar bungalow |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | Designer sarees, vintage jewelry, curated interiors |
| Cars Collection | Mahindra |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Rajesh Khanna |
| Favorite Actress | Vyjayanthimala |
| Favorite Film | Kabhi Kabhie |
| Favorite Music Bands | N/A |
| Favorite Sport | Cricket |
| Favorite Books | Gulzar’s memoirs |
| Favorite Colour | Pink, White |
| Favorite Food | Rice, Curd |
| Things s/he like | Reading, Cooking, Animals |
| Things s/he dislike | Awards, Birthday parties |
Top 5 Best Films – Rakhee Gulzar
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Kabhi Kabhie | 1976 | Pooja Khanna |
| Tapasya | 1976 | Indu |
| Karan Arjun | 1995 | Durga Singh |
| Baazigar | 1993 | Shobha Sharma |
| Ram Lakhan | 1989 | Sharda Pratap Singh |
Controversies – Rakhee Gulzar
- Gulzar allegedly slapped Rakhee during a heated argument in Kashmir over actress Suchitra Sen.
- Rakhee signed Kabhi Kabhie the day after the incident, defying Gulzar’s condition to quit acting.
- She never legally divorced Gulzar, despite their separation.
- Rakhee publicly criticized the film industry’s treatment of aging actresses.
- In 2025, she sparked controversy at a press event by angrily questioning the director and using harsh language.
Interesting Facts – Rakhee Gulzar
- She was born just hours after India’s independence.
- She is the only actress to play both heroine and mother to Amitabh Bachchan.
- Rakhee does not celebrate her birthday; her last party was in 1972.
- She once broke a vocal cord while filming an intense scene.
- She lives a reclusive life on a farmhouse in Panvel, tending to animals and growing vegetables.
- She wanted to adopt a child but was denied due to being single.
Rakhee Gulzar’s journey from a small town in West Bengal to becoming a Bollywood icon is nothing short of inspiring. Her talent, grace, and resilience have made her a role model for generations.
Whether as a romantic lead, a strong mother, or a reclusive artist, Rakhee continues to be a symbol of Indian entertainment and cinematic excellence.
