Rekha is not just a name in Indian cinema. She is a symbol of elegance, mystery, and resilience. With a career spanning over five decades, Rekha has become one of the most iconic Indian actresses in Bollywood.
Her journey from a shy teenager to a celebrated actress, model, and Member of Parliament is filled with drama, triumphs, and unforgettable performances.
Early Life and Upbringing
Rekha was born as Bhanurekha Ganesan on October 10, 1954, in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India. Her father, Gemini Ganesan, was a famous Tamil actor, and her mother, Pushpavalli, was a Telugu actress. However, her parents were not married at the time of her birth, which led to a complicated and emotionally distant childhood.
- Rekha grew up mostly with her grandmother due to her mother’s busy acting schedule.
- She attended Church Park Convent School in Chennai.
- As a child, she was shy, overweight, and often bullied by classmates.
- Rekha originally wanted to become an air hostess or a nun, not an actress.
Her entry into films was not by choice. Financial difficulties pushed her into acting at a young age.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bhanurekha Ganesan |
| Nickname | Rekhaji, Madame X |
| Alternative Names | Rekha Ganesan, Baby Bhanurekha |
| Date of Birth | 10 October 1954 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 70 years |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Hometown | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Current Address | Bandra West, Mumbai |
| Education Qualification | 9th Grade |
| Hobbies and Interests | Yoga, Gardening, Painting, Sketching, Poetry |
| Languages Known | Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, English |
| Social Media Profiles | Facebook , Instagram |
| Wikipedia Profile | Rekha – Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile | Rekha – IMDb |
| Website Link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Hourglass |
| Measurements | 34-28-34 inches |
| Height | 5’6″, 168 cm |
| Weight | 132 lbs, 60 kg |
| Chest | 34 inches |
| Waist | 28 inches |
| Biceps | N/A |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Hairstyle | Long, wavy |
| Distinctive | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Rekha’s personal life has always been under the spotlight. Her relationships, marriage, and family ties have been widely discussed and speculated upon.
- Father: Gemini Ganesan (Tamil actor)
- Mother: Pushpavalli (Telugu actress)
- Siblings: One real sister (Radha), five half-sisters, and one half-brother
- Rekha was romantically linked to several Bollywood actors including Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Mehra, Jeetendra, and Sajid Khan.
- She married Mukesh Agarwal, a Delhi-based businessman, in 1990. Tragically, he died by suicide just months later.
- Rekha has never remarried and lives a private life with her close companion and manager Farzana.
Despite the controversies, Rekha has always maintained a dignified silence about her personal affairs.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Spouse – Husband | Mukesh Agarwal |
| Father | Gemini Ganesan |
| Mother | Pushpavalli |
| Children | N/A |
| Siblings | Radha, Kamala, Jaya, Vijaya, Revathi, Narayani, Sathish |
| Affairs – Boyfriend(s) | Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Mehra, Jeetendra, Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt |
| Significant Relationships | Farzana (rumored), Amitabh Bachchan (unconfirmed) |
Rise to Stardom
Rekha’s film journey began as a child artist in Telugu cinema. Her first appearance was in Inti Guttu (1958). She made her debut as a lead actress in the Kannada film Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999 (1969).
Her first Hindi film was Sawan Bhadon (1970), which was a commercial success. However, she faced criticism for her looks and poor Hindi. Determined to succeed, Rekha transformed herself through:
- Rigorous yoga and fitness
- Learning Hindi and Urdu
- Improving her acting skills
Her breakthrough came with Do Anjaane (1976) and Ghar (1978). These films showcased her emotional depth and acting range.
Rekha – Selfie
Rekha – Debut Film – Sawan Bhadon
Rekha – Successful Film – Umrao Jaan
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Rekha has acted in over 180 films across multiple languages. She is known for portraying strong, complex female characters.
- Rekha was a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from 2012 to 2018.
- She has worked in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films.
- Rekha is known for her roles in parallel cinema and mainstream blockbusters.
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actress, MP |
| Debut Film | Sawan Bhadon |
| Notable Roles | Umrao Jaan, Khubsoorat, Khoon Bhari Maang, Silsila, Ghar |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Super Nani, Shamitabh, Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se |
| Upcoming Films | Tu Meri Main Tera, Krrish 4 |
| Popular Television Series | The Great Indian Kapil Show (guest) |
| Awards and Achievements | Padma Shri, National Award, 3 Filmfare Awards, Lifetime Achievement |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | Lux, Dabboo Ratnani Calendar, Manish Malhotra |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | Drug awareness, cultural preservation, women’s empowerment |
| Professional Associations | Rajya Sabha (2012–2018), FICCI honoree |
| Training and Education | Church Park Convent, self-taught acting |
| Production Company | N/A |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Koi… Mil Gaya, Krrish, Suhaag, Mr. Natwarlal |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Umrao Jaan, Utsav, Ijaazat, Zubeidaa, Lajja |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Dollars | $40 million |
| Per Movie Charges in Dollars | $1.6 million |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Dollars | $720,000 |
| Sponsorship Deals | TV shows, events, billboards |
| Business Ventures | N/A |
| Investments | Fixed deposits, real estate |
| Real Estate Holdings | Bandra bungalow, Mumbai homes, South India properties |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | Kanjeevaram sarees, gold jewelry, art pieces |
| Cars Collection | Rolls Royce Ghost, Mercedes S-Class, Audi A8, BMW i7, Honda City |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Dilip Kumar |
| Favorite Actress | Kangana Ranaut |
| Favorite Film | Umrao Jaan |
| Favorite Music Bands | Lata Mangeshkar songs |
| Favorite Sport | Yoga practice |
| Favorite Books | Comics, Sophia Loren |
| Favorite Colour | Golden, Red |
| Favorite Food | Vegetarian cuisine |
| Things s/he like | Prank calls, comics, rain walks |
| Things s/he dislike | Sun tanning, dieting, cockroaches |
Top 5 Best Films – Rekha
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Umrao Jaan | 1981 | Amiran / Umrao Jaan |
| Khubsoorat | 1980 | Manju Dayal |
| Khoon Bhari Maang | 1988 | Aarti Verma / Jyoti |
| Silsila | 1981 | Chandni |
| Muqaddar Ka Sikandar | 1978 | Zohrabai |
Controversies – Rekha
- Non-consensual kiss in Anjana Safar with Biswajit Chatterjee at age 15.
- Alleged affair with Amitabh Bachchan, especially after Silsila mirrored real-life rumors.
- Marriage to Mukesh Agarwal, who died by suicide months later.
- Rumored secret wedding with Vinod Mehra, which she denied publicly.
- Speculations about her relationship with manager Farzana, leading to questions about her sexual orientation.
Interesting Facts – Rekha
- Rekha wanted to be an air hostess before entering films.
- She dubbed for other actresses, including Neetu Singh and Smita Patil.
- Rekha is a trained classical dancer and has performed Bharatanatyam.
- She is fluent in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, and English.
- Rekha is known for her signature Kanjeevaram sarees and bold red lipstick.
- She has never used a stylist, choosing her own outfits and makeup.
Rekha’s biography is not just a story of an Indian actress. It is a tale of transformation, resilience, and timeless beauty. From her early struggles to her rise as a Bollywood legend, Rekha has inspired generations of actors and fans.
