GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

Scanning the Biography of Bhanurekha Ganesan better known by her stage name Rekha, we would have found out that she was born on October 10th 1954 in Tamil Nadu, India, is an Indian actress who has appeared in over 180 Bollywood films, today she would be in her 54's +

Would be wonderful to see what a 54 years old past Diva look like now.

Will try to rustle up a pix from our files

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA


During her youth, she would get her make-up stuff from foreign countries with the help of international flight air-hostesses.
She takes care of her body and skin. Even though she is 54 yrs, she doesn’t seem to be so.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

Noted for her versatility as an actress, Rekha was particularly recognised for playing female-oriented characters, such as that of the school-girl in Khubsoorat and the decisive avenger in Khoon Bhari Maang, both of which earned her the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Her portrayal of a classical courtesan in Umrao Jaan won her the National Film Award for Best Actress and was followed by numerous critically acclaimed performances. Throughout the 1970s and onwards she has been featured as a sex symbol in the Indian media.

Sexy Vamp, hmmmm yet a very beautiful woman then.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA



Rekha has acted in over 180 films in a career that has spanned 40 years. She has reinvented herself numerous times in her career and is known for her ability to sustain her status. Taking part in both Indian mainstream and art cinema, known in India as parallel cinema, she has achieved commercial success, as well as critical praise for her performances throughout the years.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

Rekha is the daughter of renowned Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan and the Telugu actress Pushpavalli. Her father enjoyed considerable success as an actor and Rekha was to follow in his footsteps.

*Rekha's parents were not married, and her father did not acknowledge his paternity during her childhood. It was during the early 1970s, when she was looking for a footing in the Bollywood film industry, that she revealed her origins. Later, at the peak of her career, Rekha told a magazine interviewer that her father's neglect still rankled and that she had ignored his efforts at reconciliation.

*That have made her hate her father tremendously, ofcourse she never ever forgive him for that.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA



About her father's death, Rekha responds

Why should I grieve for him when he's so much part of me? Why should I grieve when I'm so grateful for his genes, his teachings, rich life and his sheer existence? Grieve for what? I'm happy I didn't have to share unpleasant moments with him. He existed for me in my imagination. And that's so much more beautiful than reality.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

Rekha appeared as a child actor in the Telugu film Rangula Ratnam (1966). She made her debut as heroine in the successful Kannada film Goadalli CID 999 with Dr. Rajkumar in 1969. In that same year, she starred in her first Hindi film, Anjana Safar (later retitled Do Shikari). She later claimed that she was tricked into a kissing scene with the leading actor Biswajit for the overseas market, and the kiss made it to the Asian edition of "Life" magazine. The film ran into censorship problems, and would not be released until a decade later. She had two films released in 1970: the Telugu film Amma Kosam and the Hindi film Sawan Bhadon, which was considered her acting debut in Bollywood. She had to learn Hindi language, as her naturally spoken language was Tamil. Sawan Bhadon became a hit, and Rekha — a star overnight. She subsequently got several offers but nothing of substance. Her roles were mostly used to be just of a glamour girl. She appeared in several commercially successful films at the time, including Kahani Kismat Ki, Raampur Ka Lakshman and Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye, yet she was not as regarded for her acting abilities

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Sawan Bhadon is a 1970 Bollywood film produced and directed by Mohan Segal. The film was the debut film for its lead pair Rekha and Navin Nischol.
Interesting to note that Rekha was only 14 when Sawan Bhadon was released.

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quote:

Originally posted by chameli:
14? hmmmmmmmm
she was volutuously seductive as portrayed in dat poster

Hi Dids What's up

She was the Aishwariya Rai of Years goneby, she was labelled the enchantress.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

Sawan Bhadon became Rekha’s debut by accident as she had already signed with the renowned sleaze merchants the Pal Brothers from East Africa (not to be confused with the Pang Brothers of South East Asia) who had signed her for Anjana Safar when she had been a mere 13 year old.

Fortunately for Rekha, Anjana Safar got bogged down with censor problems and couldn’t secure a release. Rekha managed to escape her contract due to the fact that she had been a minor when she signed and her career which could have been over before it even got started was given a second life when she got signed on by seasoned producer-director Mohan Segal to play the role of a buxom, feisty village belle opposite dashing and up coming young star Naveen Nishal. And so, not knowing a word of Hindi nor how to dance, this dusky, unpolished beauty got her break – without even having a screen test because Segal and especially his assistant were so convinced that they had landed themselves the real article in young BhanuRekha (as she was known before the Bhanu was thankfully dropped).

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA



Sawan Bhadon was to become a significant success celebrating Silver Jubilees in 34 centres and Rekha’s career was successfully launched as she went on a signing spree of 18 films in the immediate wake of Sawan Bhadon’s success. Naveen Nishal also benefited momentarily but it was clear that this fairly likeable performer was simply too gawky and geek-like to make it to the big league and it was a matter of time before he was relegated to becoming a horror star who appeared regularly in about a thousand Ramsay and Bhakri shockers during the dreadful 80’s. Anyway, the plot of Sawan Bhadon is vintage Bollywood pulpy family drama stuff involving plenty of intrigue and twists and turns along the way.

GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

She subsequently got several offers but nothing of substance. Her roles were mostly used to be just of a glamour girl. She appeared in several commercially successful films at the time, including Kahani Kismat Ki, Raampur Ka Lakshman and Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye, yet she was not as regarded for her acting abilities.

Her first performance-oriented role came in 1976 when she played an ambitious woman in Do Anjaane, co-starring Amitabh Bachchan. The film became a hit as well as a critical success, and she was widely noticed for her performance.

Her most significant turning point, however, came in 1978, when she portrayed the role of a rape victim in the movie Ghar, alongside Vinod Mehra. The film was considered her first notable milestone, as she got critical acclaim for her performance, and received her first nomination for Best Actress at the Filmfare Awards in which she co-starred once again with Amitabh Bachchan. The movie was the biggest hit of that year, as well as one of the biggest hits of the decade, and Rekha was set as one of the most successful actresses of these times. The film opened to positive critical reception, and Rekha's performance as a courtesan earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Filmfare Awards

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

Yes we will get to the juicy part of the many men in Rekha's life, so stay with this thread.

You will not want to miss.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA



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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

Following her success with Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Rekha went on to star opposite Bachchan in a number of films, most of which were hits. She had not only a successful on-screen pair with him, but a real-life relationship, which was widely reported in the media, as well as sharply criticised, as he was a married man. This relationship was ended and concluded in 1981, when they starred in Yash Chopra's drama Silsila. The film was the most scandalous of their films together, as it was based on their real-life relationship; Rekha played Bachchan's love interest, while Bachchan's real-life wife, Jaya Bhaduri, played his wife. This was their last film together, and they never have collaborated again.

The film-column gossip may have contributed to her success. However, even critics had to admit that she had worked hard to perfect her Hindi and her acting, and that 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.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA


However, even critics had to admit that she had worked hard to perfect her Hindi and her acting, and that 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.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

Next

REKHA AND HER MEN:

Courtesy: Cineblitz:

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

REKHA AND HER MEN:

SAJID KHAN:

The Sawan Bhadon unit did not immediately leave for location shooting in Poona. In the meantime, Mohan Segal had put up Rekha and her mother at a posh hotel in Juhu. Rekha was given tuition to perfect her Hindi diction, and her dancing.
It was during this period that Sajid Khan had just returned from the States after making a big name for himself there.

Rekha spotted him one morning at Mehboob Studios.It was the blast-off for her first serious friendship,I remember Rekha's words clearly when she set eyes on him, because I was around then and saw what occurred."Oh my God!" this was said with awe and reverence. "That's Sajid Khan? He's my favourite! I'm in love with him! I have collected every photograph of his!"She scrambled out of the van in which she had driven into the studio compound and ran straight up to Sajid Khan. And that was that!

There followed a rapid succession of midnight rendezvous; midnight-to-hell drives; and nine o'clock pairs to parties. Sajid was the more experienced of the two-I mean, he'd been in permissive America and all that. Rekha accompanied him everywhere he went. How can you blame a poor girl who finds herself face to face with the idol of whom she's dreamed for nights without end? Their dosti went on strong until Rekha had to go to Poona for a month-long location-shooting of Sawan Bhadon. Sajid obviously couldn't tag along, nor was Rekha a big enough star to demand that the unit take her boy-friend along, as well.
So exit Sajid Khan and enter Navin Nischol.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

REKHA AND HER MEN:

NAVIN NISCHOL:

Poona and Sawan Bhadon brought Rekha face to face with the handsome, sleek and suave Navin (he'd just that year finished at the Poona Film Institute). Rekha was bowled over.

Two things, however, apparently deterred Navin from Rekha. Firstly, his wife was present on location. And secondly, this brash girl was apparently more crude and earthy than the suave connoisseur's tastes would permit. And her behavior was too school-girlish. Rekha, always a frank and forthright, made it clear that she liked him a lot. But Navin coolly resisted all invitations in Poona, at least. Location shooting over, Navin and Rekha returned to Bombay where our heroine again took up the old continuity with first flame. Sajid, who had earlier once confessed that she was more than he could handle, now started to cling to her in the hope that she might be good for his career.

The second stage of Sawan Bhadon now commenced-the indoor shooting stage. So again, enter Navin and exit Sajid. Every arrow in Cupid's bow was shot at the new target, Navin, who had first resisted but now relented.

A man's a man, after all! They met mostly after shooting (most of the indoors of Sawan Bhadon were done at Roop Tera Studios) in Navin's car parked in nooks and crannies of the Western Express Highway. They also had to attend premieres and film-functions together. One pretty air-hostess who had flown them Air-India from Bombay to Delhi told me that they were very lovey-dovey throughout the flight (under cover of an open newspaper, of course!)

Did they tire of one another? Or did Rekha realize that Navin, being a married man wouldn't be able to go far with her? Whatever be the real reason for the break-up, the fact is that one night after quite a few pegs Navin con?fessed that "she drained me." The sentence speaks for itself.

Sawan Bhadon was a thumping success. It celebrated silver jubilees everywhere. It was the first non-star cast, low-budget movie to break the stranglehold of big star-cast productions. And it propelled two newcomers to stardom's dizzy heights. Both Navin and Rekha signed up movies by the dozen.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

REKHA AND HER MEN:

BISWAJIT:

Rekha now signed up with her new friend, philosopher and guide (no, not Mohan Seghal) Kuljit Paul, who had taken charge of her affairs (read business) and consequently management of her finances too. Naturally, he starred Rekha in his own movie, a pot-boiler called Anjana Safar ( later retitled Do Shikari), and Biswajit as the leading-man. It was he who gave Rekha her first screen kiss, I mean-by creeping up behind her, swinging her into his arms and grinding his lips on hers.

Biswajit really must have dynamite in his lips (because his are certainly not the sexiest ones around) for poor Rekha apparently fainted off right away! And, to cap it all, LIFE Magazine did a feature showing a photograph of hers in that kiss-and-faint scene!
So enter Biswajit!

Rekha went about promoting her friendship with Biswajit very quickly. She was always at his house (Biswajit's wife was always in Calcutta) while the friendship lasted, which wasn't very long. It cooled off rapidly too-perhaps because by then Biswajit's professional career had begun its sharp nosedive-and both Rekha and Biswajit became really good friends in the most innocent sense of that term!

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA



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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA



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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

REKHA AND HER MEN:

JEETENDRA:

When producer B. N. Ghosh (he was Jeetendra's secretary) teamed Rekha with Jeetendra in his movie Ek Bechara in 1970, Rekha was a very popular star, while Jeetu had had flops all around him like nine pins, after his huge initial success in Farz. A smooth and fast worker is our acrobatic hero, Jeetendra. So when he started making advances to her, poor girl, she was easily fooled into thinking it was love. Rekha gives of her heart and her emotions easily. But Jeetu was in it for the publicity value of the romance, to help bolster his sagging star career. Luckily Ek Bechara was moderately successful, so Jeetu and Rekha were again teamed together by producer Kundan Kumar in Anokhi Ada.

Half-way through this movie, a sudden crack appeared in their relationship. The rift widened rapidly and noticeably until the chasm between them became unbridgeable. It is said that it was entirely the man's fault. The unit boys and invisible workers, who watch everything most observantly on all studio sets, reported in to say that he used to treat her like a doormat.

One day, while shooting on a huge set with about a hundred junior artistes also present, Jeetendra was heard to remark (unintentionally loud) to his hangers-on what he thought of her. Rekha heard that. And it hurt, badly. Like a wounded deer she fled from the sets into her makeup room, flung herself on the couch and sobbed her heart out. She never spoke to Jeetendra again, and she will never speak to him for the rest of her life.

Anokhi Ada was completed with the utmost difficulty. Whatever romance and love scenes you saw in that movie after the interval were just put-ons for the benefit of the cameras. During the shooting, after every take, they would not look at one another. That chapter in her life was closed for ever. The end of the Jeetendra friendship found Rekha at the height of mental suffering, misery and emotional insecurity.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

The end of the Jeetendra friendship found Rekha at the height of mental suffering, misery and emotional insecurity.

After Jeetu, who was next in line?

Coming up next.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

I wonder if we can classified Rekha as the Elizabeth Taylor of the Indian Cinema?

Both have in common of being very good actresses with numerous men in their lives.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

REKHA AND HER MEN:

SHATRUGHAN SINHA:

The film industry is notorious for wolves on the prowl and Rekha was the easy victim. People who I know to be scum of the filthiest order exploited this gullible and ge?nerous-hearted girl and cheated her out of lakhs of rupees. It was inevitable that there be some reaction. There was. Rekha had a nervous breakdown, and when she surfaced Shatrughan Sinha was there to give her a consoling arm. It is to the credit of Shatru that though a blabber-mouth by nature, he kept very quiet about Rekha and himself, even though he needed the publicity very, very badly at that time. That news of it broke out subsequently was no fault of his.

In the movie industry people do get to know about each others affairs. Remember, movie land comprises of only about fifty news makers. In due course, the infatuation between Shatru and Rekha also fizzled out and today they're merely good friends-and also good co-workers. They're starring together in a couple of movies now on the floors.

Not so many knows of their relationship!!!

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Rekha still has the looks and she is still not married. She is waiting for Amitabh.

GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

REKHA AND HER MEN:

VINOD MEHRA:

Approximately at this time the first genuine lover she's ever had entered Rekha's life -Vinod Mehra, a gentleman to his fingertips. Who spotted who is immaterial now, but neither of them could live without the other. They were seen everywhere together- holding hands, smooching, necking, driving around in Vinod's Volkswagen, having dinner in the wee hours of the morning in a cozy corner of the Shamiana. They were so close to one another that Rekha was also the unofficial hostess at Vinod's sister's marriage-and that's saying a hell of a lot!

Whenever Rekha came in for criticism, Vinod Mehra was always there to defend her, both verbally and in print.

He was the first genuine guy who loved Rekha for Rekha's sake - not for Rekha, the famous. His was the only serious concern in the vast ocean of hypocritical and money-motivated love, which lapped all around this good-hearted but foolish girl. But there was one hitch. Vinod's mother did not want Rekha as her bahu. She kept discouraging Vinod, but he was adamant. At one stage Rekha wanted him to choose -beloved or mother. I believe Vinod skirted this ultimatum by persuading Rekha to bide her time while he tried to heal the rift between mother and sweetheart.

Her marriage to Vinod ended in a divorce.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

REKHA AND HER MEN:

YASH KOHLI:

UNFORTUNATELY WE DO NOT HAVE A PIX OF YASH KOHLI

The wait was a long wait. It appeared to stretch right up to forever-and Rekha's one hell of an impatient gal! And then suddenly this dashing young fellow called Baba appeared on the scene. He sprouted out of the Nav Ketan office one fine morning, where he had been planted by Uncle Dev Anand to look after his business affairs. Yash Kohli (for that is Baba's real name) soon became a producer and naturally -starred Rekha in his movie Double Cross. Inevitably, the Rekha-Baba romance hit sensation-hungry headlines. Yash Kohli is kind, large-hearted, ever-smiling and perfect company, and this sort of nature has always strongly appealed to Rekha.

Whenever Vinod Mehra was away from Bombay either for location shootings or to attend film premieres in other cities, Rekha could be seen with Yash Kohli at this or that restaurant, hotel, or in his black Fiat. She was soon dividing her time evenly between Baba and Vinod. Rekha must have by then given up hopes that Vinod's mother would ever agree to have her as a bahu. Rekha's outbursts against Vinod's mother continued and, as usual, Vinod maintained a discreet silence about everything and continued to defend Rekha in public. Even after that now immortal "poisoned upma" episode it was Vinod Mehra who called the press conference. Wasn't all this manifestation of the total love that he bore for her?

Did Vinod and Rekha get married secretly? Apparently they did, in Calcutta. The latest gossip indicates that they are both seeking a divorce. And the split is now final because Vinod, when he took up with Rekha, never dated anybody else. He is now occasionally seen dating Zahida, or and this or that girl. Rekha did the most foolish thing of her twenty-one years when she ditched Vinod. He was the only man who had brought some sort of stability to her stress-filled and chaotic life.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

REKHA AND HER MEN:

KIRAN KUMAR:

Rekha's latest is now Kiran Kumar. He, who had once declared that he would marry Yogeeta, now took Rekha's hand in his own and her head on his shoulders. Vinod Mehra and Kiran Kumar had once been on the best of terms, so much so that each used to confide to each other about their respective loves. I do not know who the villain of the piece is -if there is one-or did Rekha on the rebound throw herself into the nearest available arms? Only time will tell.

Rekha insists that her true love was always Yash Kohli and that she had been leading Vinod Mehra on as she is leading Kiran Kumar on now. "I don't even feel anything for the boy (Kiran)," Rekha says. She just did it to make Baba jealous.

"I've lived a facade," Rekha says, "and no one is more miserable than me today."

The big question is: can Rekha ever hold on to anybody for good? Why does she feel this compulsive need to flit from man to man in search of some ultimate gratification she never seems to find? Will she ever find the perfect a man? Or will her life be one long quest-always seeking, never finding?

Rekha is a nice girl. True, she never had much of adolescence, with the spotlights beckoning her at such a tender age. No doubt, she is flying high but with broken wings, regrets and memories that will make her toss and turn through countless sleepless nights.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

REKHA AND HER MEN:

MUKESH AGGARWAL:

News was made when diva Rekha and Mukesh Aggarwal, a businessman who manufactured cooking ranges started dating. The marriage ended when Mukesh committing suicide, by hanging himself with one of Rekha's dupatta, spiralling the talented actress into a vortex of gloom for quite a while.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

REKHA AND HER MEN:

There is no factual account as to why Mukesh Aggarwal committed suicide, but there are speculations.......as destiny was fast paving way for Rekha to find the man with whom her romance and association would be remembered for years to come. Rekha and Amitabh fell in love and still are one of the most written about couples the industry ever saw.

The Amitabh/Rekha Affair? well we will get to this but later.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

Following her success with Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Rekha went on to star opposite Bachchan in a number of films, most of which were hits. She had not only a successful on-screen pair with him, but a real-life relationship, which was widely reported in the media, as well as sharply criticised, as he was a married man. This relationship was ended and concluded in 1981, when they starred in Yash Chopra's drama Silsila. The film was the most scandalous of their films together, as it was based on their real-life relationship; Rekha played Bachchan's love interest, while Bachchan's real-life wife, Jaya Bhaduri, played his wife. This was their last film together, and they never have collaborated again.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

quote:

lots of men in her life...then one day she realised that she could not keep a man caz she is only happy wid a wo...man if she makes her happy, then so be it

Is she? or Isn't she?

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quote:

Originally posted by Alexander:
Rekha still has the looks and she is still not married. She is waiting for Amitabh.

Alex Bhai, Amitabh is making his peace with the maker, no time for Rekha.



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quote:

Originally posted by asj:
GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

quote:

lots of men in her life...then one day she realised that she could not keep a man caz she is only happy wid a wo...man if she makes her happy, then so be it

Is she? or Isn't she?

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It is an angle worth looking into.......but we will stay away from that.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA



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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA

The film-column gossip may have contributed to her success. However, even critics had to admit that she had worked hard to perfect her Hindi and her acting, and that 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 1981, she starred in the Urdu film Umrao Jaan. The film tells the story of a young girl, Amiran, who is kidnapped and sold in a brothel, and follows her life story there as Umrao. Her portrayal of a sensitive courtesan has been considered one of her career best performances, and she received the National Film Award for Best Actress for it. Overall, she played a courtesan with a heart of gold in several of her films; Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and Umrao Jaan were followed by a number of films which had her playing similar roles.

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GLAMOROUS DIVA OF YESTERYEAR: REKHA



Rekha's post-Bachchan era marked a new stage in her career; it was the time when she turned her career professionally. She was willing to work with independent and art film directors, and throughout the 1980s, regularly worked in parallel cinema, a term that refers to the new wave, realistic cinema in India. Her venture into this particular genre started off with Umrao Jaan, and was followed by other 1981 such releases as Shyam Benegal's award-winning drama, Kalyug; Ramesh Talwar's Baseraa, which saw her playing a woman who marries her sister's husband, after the latter loses her mental balance; and the commercially successful Ek Hi Bhool, opposite Jeetendra, with Rekha playing the role of a betrayed wife who leaves her husband. Her performances in these films were highly praised by critics. Other notable arthouse films during the 1980s included Jeevan Dhaara, Utsav and Ijaazat.

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