Friends, in today’s weekend blog, I am writing about an actress who made her debut in 1970 to become one of Bollywood’s most glamorous, respected and enigmatic performers. I am talking about REKHA. Born Bhanurekha Ganesan on 10th October 1954, she was the daughter of Gemini Ganesan and Pushpavali (both actors).
She made her Bollywood debut with the film called Sawan Bhadon (1970), which gave her commercial visibility. But her earlier Hindi films did not establish her as a major star. She was often criticised for her appearance, complexion, accent and lack of fluency in Hindi. She began working intensely on herself- her Hindi, appearance, fitness, grooming, dancing and acting skills. This transformation became one of the most fascinating aspects of her career.
During the 1970s, she gradually changed from an inexperienced young actress into a sophisticated performer. Her performance in films like Do Anjaane (1976), Ghar (1978) and Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) demonstrated that she could handle both emotional drama and mainstream commercial cinema.
In the late 1970s and 1980s, Rekha moved increasingly toward serious and unconventional cinema. Her performance in Umaro Jaan (1981) remains one of the defining achievements of her career. She won the National Film Award for Best Actress for this film.
No discussion of Rekha’s career can avoid her famous professional pairing with Amitabh Bachchan. The two appeared together in several films including Do Anjaane (1976), Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), Mr Natwarlal (1979), Suhaag (1979), Silsila and others. What remains undeniable is their screen chemistry on screen.
The 1980s were arguably the most important decade of her career. She successfully moved between commercial entertainers and serious films. Her performances displayed increasing confidence, emotional maturity and technical control. Films such as Khoobsurat (1980), Umrao Jaan (1981), Baseraa (1981), Utsav (1985), Ijaazat (1987) and Khoon Bhari Maang (1988) demonstrated her remarkable range. She won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for her performances in Khoobsurat and Khoon Bhari Maang.
She increasingly played women who were independent, emotionally complex and sometimes unconventional. She was not always presented as the passive romantic heroine waiting for the male protagonist. Her character could be strong, vulnerable, rebellious, sensual, lonely or ambitious.
Rekha’s transformation was not limited to acting. Over the decades, she developed one of the most recognisable personal styles in Indian cinema. Her love for Kanjeevaram Silk Sarees, traditional jewellery, bold makeup, and distinctive hairstyles created an image that has remained remarkably constant.
In her later films, she appeared in films including Zubeida (2001), Koi Mil Gaya (2003), Parineeta (2005) and Krish (2006), among others.
He journey from Bhanurekha Ganesan to Rekha-the iconic actress, style symbol and Bollywood legend- is a remarkable example of how talent, perseverance and reinvention can overcome early limitations.
Here are some of my favourite songs picturised on Rekha and their YouTube links:
1 Sun Sun O kunwari Kali– Sawan Bhadon 1970 (Film-F). Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle (Singer-S), Varma Malik (Lyricist-L), Sonik Omi (Music Director-MD). On screen with Navin Nishchal.
https://youtu.be/9lchWXDkmQ0?si=ebOOonL6jI82UHd3
2 Gum hai Kisike Pyar Mein Yeh Dil– Rampur Ka Laxman 1972 (F), Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar (S), Majrooh Sultanpuri (L), RD Burman (MD). On screen with Randhir Kapoor.
3 Tumne Kisese Kabhi Pyar Kiya Hai– Dharmatma 1975 (F). Mukesh & Kanchan (S), Indeevar (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD). On screen with Feroze Khan.
https://youtu.be/Bi81h-INitw?si=Y1FhTtqqi1sKDQNE
4 Oonch Oonchi Baaton Se Kisika Pet Bharta Nahin– Khoon Pasina 1977 (F). Mohd Rafi & Usha mangeshkar (S), Anand Bakshi (L), Rajesh Roshan (MD). On screen with Amitabh Bachchan.
https://youtu.be/qf4bLSv0BMc?si=yJiwiciFeL_Gjh2g
5 Tere Bina Jiya Jaaye Na– Ghar 1978 (F), Lata Mangeshkar &Kishore Kumar (S), Gulzar (L), RD Burman (MD). On screen with Vinod Mehra.
https://youtu.be/-W3hN8dgAy4?si=0r991e3RbqjaVG-5
6 Salaame e Ishq Meri Jaan Jara Qubool Karle– Muqaddar Ka Sikandar 1978 (F). Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar (S), Prakash Mehra & Anjaan (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD). On screen with Amitabh Bachchan.
https://youtu.be/vw6cCZ4slqQ?si=2scABYxnoUtTyGR3
7 Pardesia Yeh Sach Hai Piya– Mr Natwarlal 1979 (F). Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar (S), Anand bakshi (L), Rajesh Roshan (MD). On screen with Amitabh Bachchan.
https://youtu.be/FF3cEPji3Jo?si=XIHzzqVlOEnlLIV7
8 Yaar Ki Khabar Mil Gayi– Ram Balram 1979. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar (S), Anand bakshi (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On screen with Amitabh Bachchan.
https://youtu.be/ZNDeFSwoODg?si=Xy11XS_Eah56ScfL
9 Maar Gayi Mujhe Teri Judaai- Judaai 1980 (F). Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar (S), Anand bakshi (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On screen with Jeetendra.
https://youtu.be/Mab1SFeB-5I?si=xmzFy5r8hzfdzlm8
10 Sun Sun Didi Tere Liye Ek Rishta Aaya Hai- Khhobsurat 1980. Asha Bhosle (S), Gulzar (L), RD Burman (MD).
https://youtu.be/DoR1_9abjNk?si=VBx-hMEemLZB8_Bs
11 Dil Cheez Kya Hai, Aap Meri Jaan Leejiye- Umrao Jaan 1981 (F). Asha Bhosle (S), Shahiyar (L), Khayyam (MD)
https://youtu.be/tCEj3yJ2whM?si=bvpuXOlCler2p7gD
12 Dekha Ek Khwab To Yeh Silsile Hue– Silsila 1981 (F). Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar (S), Javed Akhtar (L), Shiv Hari (MD). On screen with Amitabh Bachchan.
https://youtu.be/7dO_MS9tZ5E?si=6EaeIaN9nII3xpv3
13 Hamen Aur Jeene Ki Chahat Na Hoti– Agar Tun Na Hote 1983 (F). Lata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumar (S), Gulshan Bawra (L), RD Burman (MD). On screen with Rajesh Khanna.
14 Man Kyun Behka Re Behka Aadhi Raat Ko– Utsav 1975 (F). Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle (S), Vasant Dev (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On screen with Anuradha Patel.
https://youtu.be/FvZ-IaqKks4?si=2Xs3eJmuwv2LbCpx
15 Phool Gulab Ka, Lakhon Mein Hazaron Mein – Biwi Ho To Aisi 1988 (F), Mohd Aziz & Anuradha Paudwal (S), Sameer (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On screen with Farooque Sheikh.
https://youtu.be/337mnfpxNRU?si=6OJuiQsoQvs1pY8B
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
14th August 2026