Happy birthday to dashing star Rekha.

Happy birthday to dashing star Rekha.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to dashing star Rekha on 10th October, 2010. She had dominated bollywood films of the 80s.

Being the daughter of Legendary South Indian actor Gemini Ganeshan on 10th October, 1954, Rekha created a separate place for herself in bollywood film industry. She was better known as Bhanurekha Ganeshan. In 1969 she acted opposite Biswajeet Chatterjee in the film Do Shikari. She got the her lead role as heroine opposite Navin Nischal in the film Sawan Bhado.

In the early 70s, Rekha had to fight for her place in the bollywood industry, at a time when Hema Malini, Asha Parekh, Sharmila Tagore were dominating the industry. But she acted in many landmark films during that period including Gora Aur Kala opposite Rajender Kumar, Rampur Ka Laxman opposite Randhir Kapoor, etc.

From the late 70s her films opposite megastar Big B changed her career. Most of the films ended up being super hit including Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Mr. Natwarlal, Suhaag, Silsila, etc. Rekha gradually developed her acting and became one of the most versatile actresses of the 80s.

She received national award for her memorable performance in the role of a mujrewali in the film Umrao Jaan. She received filmfare award for best actress in her dashing role in the film Khoon Bhari Maang in 1988. She played landmark roles in off-beat films like Gulzar’s Ghar and Ijaazat, Shyam Benegal’s Kalyug, Govind Nihalini’s Vijeta, etc.

Even her films in the 90s like Kamasutra and in 2000 onwards in films like Lajja and Koi Mil Gaya, she showed her metal as a very talented actress. The viewers expect her to continue the brilliant work in character roles in future.

Rekha songs.

Rekha songs.

Rekha, the powerful actress of bollywood films had provided landmark performances in many films. She also gave elegant lips in many notable films. In the film Umrao Jaan, all the songs composed by Khayyam and sung by Asha Bhosle, had classical touch. The songs including “in ankhoki masti”, “yeh kya jagah hai doston”, “dil cheez kya hai”, “ justju jiski thi”, etc., written by Shahryar, of displayed the flavour courtroom performance and was related to mujras performed by tawaifs in India for generations.

Rekha gave adequate lips in the songs of the film Ghar, directed by Gulzar. Songs like “aaj kal paon zamee par”, “tere bina jiya jayna”, composed by Rd Burman, became big hits. Vinod Mehra complimented Rekha with his romantic performance in the film and he too gave good lips in Kishore Kumar’s songs “aap ke aankho me kuch”, “phir wohi raat hai”, in the same film.


The songs of the film Silsila, were most sung in the background. The songs composed by Shiv Hari, and sung by Lata, like “yeh kahan agaye hum”, were excellent by every standard. Rekha’s screen presence in the film was appreciated by the viewers.


Rekha also gave good lips in the song “pardesiya”, sung by Lata in the film Mr. Natwarlal. Although it was an action film with Big B playing the major part, Rekha’s performance in her limited role was satisfactory.

Rekha also gave good lips in the songs in the film Muqaddar Ka Siqandar, where the songs were composed by Kalyanji Anandji. The other films where she gave elegant lips include Suhaag, Do Anjane, etc., where Big B, also played significant role.


Rekha also gave good lips in the song “kaisi pehli hai yeh zindagani” in the film Parineeta, where she played the role of a performer in the bar named Moulin Rouge in Park Street in Kolkata.

The viewers expect her to continue the good work in future.

By: Supriya Chatterji.