REKHA AT 59

Bhanurekha Ganesan was born on October 10, 1954 to Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan and Telugu actress Pushpavalli. With acting in her blood, it was only natural that she should look to the silver screen.

However, it wasn't easy. The actress has led a controversial life and it began with her birth.

REKHA AT 59

Rekha's parents were not married and her father Gemini Ganesan refused to acknowledge her. On her part, Rekha kept her identity secret and revealed her origins and the story of her father's neglect much later in her career. She was famously estranged from her father after she made it big and ignored his attempts at reconciliation. Gemini Ganesan already had four daughters with his first wife, Alamelu. He had a second daughter with Pushpavalli, and another daughter and a son with second wife Savitri. Rekha has one sister, five half sisters and a half brother.

REKHA AT 59

Credited as Baby Bhanurekha in the Telugu film Rangula Ratnam (1966), Rekha made her debut at age 12. Rekha made her Bollywood debut in 1969 with the movie Anjana Safar (later retitled Do Shikari). She bagged her first leading role with Sawan Bhadon (1970) opposite Navin Nischol.

The film was a big hit and Rekha became a star overnight.

the best indian dancer on the indan screen nowonder she looks good

Warrior, as we go along we will present a few of her dances from her hit movie "Umrao Jaan" and Nagin and maybe a few more films 

REKHA AT 59

Despite her new-found stardom, Rekha's first few years in Bollywood were harrowing. She struggled with the Hindi language and was bewildered by the barrage of criticism about her dark complexion, voluptuous figure and “South Indian looks.” It took a complete reinvention of her image, helped by a strict regime of diet and yoga, for Rekha to be acknowledged as one of Bollywood's beauties.

REKHA AT 59

After a string of mostly forgettable films, Rekha's breakthrough came with 1976's Do Anjaane. Critics heaped praise on her performance as an ambitious wife, but Do Anjaane, was notable for one other reason – it was her first film opposite frequent collaborator and rumoured off-screen paramour Amitabh Bachchan.

REKHA AT 59

Rekha delivered a power-packed, realistic and sensitive performance as the traumatised rape victim in the 1978 film, Ghar, one of her many woman-oriented films. Ghar earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the Filmfare Awards, her very first.

REKHA AT 59

Then came a blockbuster hit opposite Amitabh Bachchan in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar. In the immensely popular film, Rekha's "smouldering intensity" as the courtesan Zohra brought her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Filmfare Awards.

Finally, in 1981, Yash Chopra made Silsila and executed a casting coup with Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan playing a married couple and Rekha playing the 'other woman.'Silsila was widely considered a case of art imitating life and it was Rekha's last film with Amitabh Bachchan.

REKHA THROUGHOUT THE YEARS

BOLLYWOOD SEDUCTRESS

REKHA THROUGHOUT THE YEARS

REKHA'S UMRAO JAAN:

MOVIE : UMRAO JAAN 1981
SINGER: ASHA BHOSLE
LYRICS: SHAHRYAR
MUSIC : KHAYYAM

1) DIL CHEEZ KYA HAI APP MERII JAAN LIIJIYE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oFm4MYbb9o

Dil cheez kya hai aap merii jaan liijiye
Never mind my heart, Take my very life!
Bas ek baar mera kahaa...maan liijiye
Just once, do what I ask you
Dil cheez kya hai aap merii jaan liijiye
Never mind my heart, Take my very life!

Is anjuman mein aap ko aana hai baar baar
You must come, time and again, to this court
Diiwaar-o-dar ko ghaur se... pahachaan liijiye
Get to know every nook and corner well
Dil cheez kya hai aap merii jaan liijiye
Never mind my heart, Take my very life!

Maana ki doston ko nahiin
It is agreed that friends don't
Doston, doston ko nahiin
That friends don't
Maana ke doston ko nahiin dostii ka paas
It is agreed that friends don't respect friendships;

Lekin yeh kya ke ghair ka...ehasaan liijiye
But why do you accept favors from strangers?
Dil cheez kya hai aap merii jaan liijiye
Never mind my heart, Take my very life!

Kahiye to...aasmaan ko
If you just say so
Kahiye to aasmaan ko zamiin par utaar laayen
If you just say so, then I shall lay the sky at your feet,

Mushkil nahiin hai kuchh bhii
Nothing is difficult;
Mushkil nahiin hai kuchh bhii agar Thaan liijiye
Nothing is difficult if you set your heart on it.
Dil cheez kya hai aap merii jaan liijiye
Never mind my heart, Take my very life!

Bas ek baar
Just for once
Bas ek baar mera kahaa maan liijiye
Just once, do what I ask you
Maan liijiye
Do it

Trans: Venkat

REKHA'S UMRAO JAAN:

(In Aankhon Kii Mastii Ke,)2 (Mastaane Hazaaron Hain)2
There are thousands intoxicated by the passion of these eyes,


Ahh!!!!, Eyes. Just about three square inches of your body, but they do so much.

They look, they see, they peer, they peek, they glance, they glare, they ogle, they leer, they observe, they spy and seek. They can calm a crying child, cajole a brat. They can shout silently, or show compassion, or shoot arrows directly into your heart. They can console and comfort, display awe and anger, show love, lust and longing. They can cry, complain, or cause anguish in a lover's heart. They can mock, muse or move you. They can speak, smile and seduce. They can induce, implore or intoxicate.

Man can make an imitation of almost every part of the human body with today's technology. Man can make a camera that can see, but he can never make an eye. God kept the secret of making eyes to Himself. That is because that is where He put the soul, another thing that man cannot make.

REKHA'S UMRAO JAAN:

MOVIE : UMRAO JAAN 1981
SINGER: ASHA BHOSLE
LYRICS: SHAHRYAR
MUSIC : KHAYYAM

2) IN AANKHON KII MASTII KE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXdJJvpgTvw

(In Aankhon Kii Mastii Ke,)2 (Mastaane Hazaaron Hain)2
There are thousands intoxicated by the passion of these eyes,
(In Aankhon Se Vaabastah)2 Afasaane Hazaaron Hain
Thousands of romances have been spun about these eyes,

(Ik Tum Hii Nahiin Tanhaa)2, (Ulafat Mein Merii Rusavaa)2
You are not the only one disgraced by your desire for me,
(Is Shahar Mein Tum Jaise)2 (Diivaane Hazaaron Hain)2
In this city, there are thousands of mad men just like you,

In Aankhon Kii Mastii Ke, Mastaane Hazaaron Hain
There are thousands intoxicated by the passion of these eyes,

(Ik Sirf hum hii may Ko)2 (Aankhon Se Pilaate Hain)2
I am the only one that can intoxicate you with my eyes
(Kahane Ko To Duniyaa Mein)2 (Mayakhaane Hazaaron Hain)2
Although there are thousands of wine houses in this world

In Aankhon Kii Mastii Ke, Mastaane Hazaaron Hain
There are thousands intoxicated by the passion of these eyes,

(Is Shamm-e-Farozaan Ko)2 (Aandhii Se Daraate Ho)2
You are trying to frighten this lighted candle with a mere storm,
(Is Shamm-e-Farozaan Ke)2 (Paravaane Hazaaron Hain)2
Thousands of moths are drawn to this brilliant candle,

(In Aankhon Kii Mastii Ke)2 (Mastaane Hazaaron Hain)2
There are thousands intoxicated by the passion of these eyes,
(In Aankhon Se Vaabastaa)2 Afasaane Hazaaron Hain
Thousands of romances have been spun about these eyes,

Trans: Venkat

she is still hot that this age

Yess tell me about it, there is so much cause to take a second look

REKHA'S UMRAO JAAN:

MOVIE : UMRAO JAAN 1981
SINGER: ASHA BHOSLE
LYRICS: SHAHRYAR
MUSIC : KHAYYAM

3) YEH KYA JAGAH HAI DOSTON

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_59l5BCeso

(Yeh kya jagah hai doston)2
What is this place, friends?
(Yeh kaunsa dayaar hai)2
Which region is this
(Had-e-nigaah tak jahaan)2
Where, for as far as the eye can see,
(Gubaar hii gubaar hai)2
Is dust-storm upon dust-storm?

Yeh kya jagah hai dostoon
What is this place, friends?

(Yeh kis maqaam par hayaat)2
To what resting place has life
(Mujhko leke aa ga'ii)2
brought me,
(Na bas khushii pe hai jahaan)2
Where I have neither command over joy,
(Na gam pe ikhtiyaar hai)2
Nor power over my sorrow?

Yeh kya jagah hai doston
What is this place, friends?
(Yeh kaunsa dayaar hai)2
Which region is this

(Tamaam umr ka hisaab)2 (maangtii hai zindagii)2
Life asks me for an account of all my years
(Yeh mera dil kahe to kya)2
What will this heart of mine say?
(Yeh khud se sharmasaar hai)2
It is ashamed of itself

Yeh kya jagah hai dostoon
What is this place, friends?
(Yeh kaunsa dayaar hai)2
Which region is this?

(Bulaa rahaa hai kaun)2
Who is calling
Mujhko chilmanon ke us taraf
me from the edge of those reed curtains?
(Mere li'e bhii kya koii)2
Is there anyone at all for me?
(Udaas beqaraar hai)
Sorrow is so hard to bear

yeh kya jagah hai dostoon
What is this place, friends?
yeh kaunsa dayaar hai
Which region is this?
had-e-nigaah tak jahaan
For as far as the eye can see,
(Gubaar hii gubaar hai)2
There is only dust-storm upon dust-storm.

Yeh kya jagah hai doston
What is this place, friends?

Trans:

REKHA AT 59

The light-hearted family flick Khubsoorat (1980) allowed Rekha to showcase her comic timing. Her vivacious acting earned her the first Best Actress Award at the Filmfare Awards.

REKHA AT 59

But if her life off-screen was languishing, Rekha's career was blazing away, firing on all engines. She was mesmerising in 1981 film Umrao Jaan and her portrayal of the titular courtesan poetess won her the National Film Award for Best Actress.

REKHA AT 59

The later half of the '80s saw her venture into art house cinema with independent directors.

Shyam Benegal's award-winning drama, Kalyug (1981), Govind Nihalani's Vijeta (1982), Girish Karnad's Utsav (1984) and Gulzar's Ijaazat (1987) were some of Rekha's memorable films from this era.

REKHA AT 59

One of her other notable films, revenge tale Khoon Bhari Maang, showed a completely different side of the actress. She played the role of a shy, homely woman in the first half, who transforms herself into a femme-fatale later in the film.The film was directed and produced by Rakesh Roshan and was a remake of the Australian mini-series Return To Eden (1983).

The movie was very well received by the critics and fans alike and won Rekha her second Filmfare Best Actress Award in 1988.

REKHA AT 59

Rekha's career graph showed a dip at the dawn of the '90s and she started losing lead roles to younger actresses.Once again, she put her talent for reinvention to good use with roles in Mira Nair's risqué Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996) and the commercially successful Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996) opposite Akshay Kumar. In the latter, she played the role of a gangster (which won her another award) and earned her the nicname Madam X.

Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi was a major grosser and earned Rekha several awards, including the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award and the Star Screen Award for Best Villain.

One day you will come to know
that no matter how far you may go
the joys and sorrows that we share
are just like the touch of your hair
which is full of tender care

No these are not lines from the Bollywood Blockbuster "Silsila"

It might appears that Rekha is mumbling these words, but then again it took her
an eternity to understand the cruelty and the hurt that one can go through in life,
After years of bitterness she must have found out that.....
Love is blind, deaf and mute. It’s like a child playing in the mud. You cannot reprimand the child with logic at that time. It doesn’t matter to her that she is getting her hands, feet and clothes soiled. It’s only when she falls and hurts herself, that the tears will flow. And by then, it’s too late. The wound is inevitable. Love is not a momentary feeling. Love cannot be so ruthless. But it doesn’t hold a promise of permanence either.

Wonder what is her thoughts now about the relationship........wonder what is Amitabh thoughts now, will we ever know?

Rekha made headlines when she turned up for Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh's wedding wearing sindoor, mangalsutra and two rings on her fingers gifted by her Amit. She hogged all the limelight that night - even more than the newly weds did.

As we look down memory lane, we focussed our lens on Rekha as she hit that age of 59.

REKHA AT 59

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.

REKHA AT 59

Ahh!!!!, Eyes. Just about three square inches of your body, but they do so much. They look, they see, they peer, they peek, they glance, they glare, they ogle, they leer, they observe, they spy and seek. They can calm a crying child, cajole a brat. They can shout silently, or show compassion, or shoot arrows directly into your heart. They can console and comfort, display awe and anger, show love, lust and longing. They can cry, complain, or cause anguish in a lover's heart. They can mock, muse or move you. They can speak, smile and seduce. They can induce, implore or intoxicate.

Man can make an imitation of almost every part of the human body with today's technology. Man can make a camera that can see, but he can never make an eye. God kept the secret of making eyes to Himself. That is because that is where He put the soul, another thing that man cannot make.

REKHA AT 59

REKHA AT 59

“Every single day I cried, because I had to eat what I didn't like, wear crazy clothes with sequins and stuff poking into my body. Costume, jewelery would give me an absolute terrible allergy. Hair spray wouldn't go off for days even despite all my washing. I was pushed, literally dragged from one studio to another. A terrible thing to do to a 13-year-old child.” (Express archive photo)

REKHA AT 59

However today Rekha is noted for her versatility and is acknowledged as one of the finest actresses in Bollywood, she was often panned for her looks in the early stages of her career. It was not until the mid-to-late 1970s that she got recognition as an actress. Since the late 1970s, after undertaking a physical transformation, she has been featured as a sex symbol in Bollywood. (Express archive photo)

REKHA AT 59

REKHA'S CLASSIC: UMRAO JAAN: THE FULL MOVIE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

ENJOY:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3JwIRye_lE

REKHA AT 59

In Yash Chopra's 1984 romance Silsila : Amitabh and Rekha's worked together for the last time and the rumours of their alleged affair peaked. It is believed that the real life story was shot in reel The film portrays the love triangle between the characters of Amitabh, Jaya and Rekha in the film.

REKHA AT 59

Rekha mentioned several times that she admires Amitabh Bachchan a lot and loves him but Amitabh has never spoken about her in public life or in interviews.

Rekha: Rare PICS

She was born in Chennai to well known stars of south Indian cinema, her father Gemini Ganesan was a noted Tamil actor while her mother Pushvavali was a popular Telugu actress.