View source for Rekha

{{short description|Indian actress (born 1954)}}
{{for-multi|the South Indian actress|Rekha (South Indian actress)|other uses}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Rekha 
| image              = Rekha 2023.jpg
| alt                = Rekha is looking at the camera.
| caption            = Rekha in 2023
| birth_name         = Bhanurekha Ganesan
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1954|10|10}}
| birth_place        = [[Madras]], [[Madras State]], India
| occupation         = Actress
| years_active       = 1958–present
| works              = [[Rekha filmography|Full list]]
| spouse             = {{marriage|Mukesh Agarwal|1990|1990|reason=died}}
| father             = [[Gemini Ganesan]]
| mother             = [[Pushpavalli]]
| family             = [[List of South Indian film families#Gemini Ganesan family|Ganesan family]]
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Rekha|Full list]]
| honours            = [[Padma Shri]] (2010)
| signature          = Rekha signature.svg
| module             = {{Infobox officeholder
| embed        = yes
| office       = [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha]]
| constituency = [[List of nominated members of the Rajya Sabha|Nominated]] 
| term_start   = 27 April 2012
| term_end     = 26 April 2018
  }}
}}

'''Bhanurekha Ganesan''' ({{IPA|te|ˈbʱaːnuɾeːkʰa ɡaɳeːʃan|pron}}; born 10 October 1954), better known by her [[mononymous]] stage name '''Rekha''', is an Indian actress who appears predominantly in [[Hindi film]]s. Acknowledged as one of the finest actresses in [[Indian cinema]],{{sfn|Gulzar|Nihalani|Chatterjee|2003|page=614}} she has starred in [[Rekha filmography|more than 180 films]] and is the recipient of [[List of awards and nominations received by Rekha|several accolades]], including one [[National Film Awards|National Film Award]] and three [[Filmfare Awards]]. She has often played strong and complicated female characters—from fictional to literary—in both mainstream and independent films. Though her career has gone through certain periods of decline, Rekha has gained a reputation for reinventing herself numerous times and has been credited for her ability to sustain her status. In 2010, the [[Government of India]] honoured her with [[Padma Shri]], India's fourth highest civilian honour.

The daughter of actors [[Pushpavalli]] and [[Gemini Ganesan]], Rekha started her career as a child actress in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] films ''[[Inti Guttu (1958 film)|Inti Guttu]]'' (1958) and ''[[Rangula Ratnam (1966 film)|Rangula Ratnam]]'' (1966). Her first film as a lead happened with the Kannada movie ''[[Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999]]'' (1969). Her Hindi debut with ''[[Sawan Bhadon]]'' (1970) established her as a rising star, but despite the success of several of her early films, she was often panned in the press for her looks and weight. Motivated by criticism, she started working on her appearance and put effort into improving her acting technique and command of the Hindi language, resulting in a well-publicised transformation. Early recognition in 1978 for her performances in ''[[Ghar (1978 film)|Ghar]]'' and ''[[Muqaddar Ka Sikandar]]'' marked the beginning of the most successful period of her career, and she was one of Hindi cinema's leading stars through most of the 1980s and early 1990s.

For her performance in the comedy ''[[Khubsoorat]]'' (1980), Rekha received her first [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress]]. She followed it with roles in ''[[Baseraa]]'' (1981), ''[[Ek Hi Bhool]]'' (1981), ''[[Jeevan Dhaara]]'' (1982) and ''[[Agar Tum Na Hote]]'' (1983). While mostly prolific in popular Hindi cinema, during this time she ventured into [[parallel cinema]], a movement of neo-realist [[arthouse]] films. These films included dramas such as ''[[Kalyug (1981 film)|Kalyug]]'' (1981), ''[[Vijeta (1982 film)|Vijeta]]'' (1982) and ''[[Utsav]]'' (1984), and her portrayal of a classical courtesan in ''[[Umrao Jaan (1981 film)|Umrao Jaan]]'' (1981) won her the [[National Film Award for Best Actress]]. After a short setback in the mid-1980s, she was among the actresses who led a new trend of women-centred revenge films, starting with ''[[Khoon Bhari Maang]]'' (1988), for which she won a second Best Actress award at Filmfare.

Rekha's work was much less prolific in subsequent decades. Her roles in early 1990s mostly met with lukewarm reviews. In 1996, she played against [[Typecasting|type]] in the role of an underworld don in the action thriller ''[[Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi]]'' (1996), for which she won a third Filmfare Award in the [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] category, and further appeared in ''[[Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love]]'' (1996) and ''[[Aastha: In the Prison of Spring]]'' (1997) to critical acclaim but some public scrutiny. During the 2000s, she was praised for her supporting roles in the 2001 dramas ''[[Zubeidaa]]'' and ''[[Lajja (film)|Lajja]]'', and started playing mother roles, among which was her role in the science fiction ''[[Koi... Mil Gaya]]'' (2003) and its superhero sequel ''[[Krrish]]'' (2006), both commercial successes. The lattermost emerged as her highest-grossing release.

Apart from acting, Rekha served as a [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha|Member of Parliament]] for the [[Rajya Sabha]] from 2012 to 2018. Her private life and public image have been the subject of frequent media interest and discussion. Starting in the 1970s, her pairing opposite [[Amitabh Bachchan]] in a number of successful films was accompanied by enduring speculation about a love affair between the two, culminating in their starring film ''[[Silsila (1981 film)|Silsila]]'' (1981), which was reflective of media projections. Her only marriage to the Delhi-based industrialist and television manufacturer Mukesh Agarwal in March 1990 ended seven months later when he died by suicide. Rekha's public image has often been tied to her perceived sex appeal. She is reluctant to give interviews or discuss her life, which resulted in her being labelled a recluse.

==Early life and work==
[[File:Rekha as an infant.png|thumb|upright|left|Rekha as a child, 1950s.|alt=A picture featuring Rekha as an infant in the 1950s.]] 
Rekha was born Bhanurekha Ganesan in [[Chennai|Madras]] (present-day Chennai) on 10 October 1954 to South Indian actors [[Gemini Ganesan]] and [[Pushpavalli]], when the couple were unmarried.<ref name="Who is Rekha">{{cite web |last=Roy |first=Gitanjali |url=http://www.ndtv.com/people/who-is-rekha-478965 |publisher=[[NDTV]] |title=Who is Rekha? |date=10 October 2012 |access-date=13 April 2021 |archive-date=12 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212233621/https://www.ndtv.com/people/who-is-rekha-478965 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/every-day-is-a-celebration-not-specifically-b-day-rekha/story-KCaf5U0AeRyvN0MOqGMYPJ.html |title=Every day is a celebration, not specifically b'day: Rekha |date=10 October 2014 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |agency=[[Press Trust of India]] |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423085206/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/every-day-is-a-celebration-not-specifically-b-day-rekha/story-KCaf5U0AeRyvN0MOqGMYPJ.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Ganesan was already married to T. R. "Bobjima" Alamelu and had four children: the [[Illinois]]-based radiation oncologist Revathi Swaminathan, the gynecologist [[Kamala Selvaraj]], ''[[The Times of India]]''{{'s}} journalist Narayani Ganesan, and the medical doctor Jaya Shreedhar.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20101219/spectrum/book6.htm |title=Revisiting a romantic |last=Quraishi |first=Humra |date=19 December 2010 |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |access-date=14 April 2021 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002229/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20101219/spectrum/book6.htm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sisters">{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/mar/10look.htm |title=Rare sight: Rekha and her five sisters! |last=Warrier |first=Shobha |author-link=Shobha Warrier |date=10 March 2005 |work=[[Rediff.com]] |access-date=13 April 2021 |archive-date=8 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908083143/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/mar/10look.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> He had two more children with actress [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]]—Vijaya Chamundeswari, a fitness expert, and Sathish Kumaar.<ref name="sisters" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/photogallery/movies/in-pics-the-gemini-ganesan-rekha-family-tree-823544.html |title=In pics: The Gemini Ganesan-Rekha family tree |date=27 February 2015 |website=[[News18]] |access-date=14 April 2021 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415011141/https://www.news18.com/photogallery/movies/in-pics-the-gemini-ganesan-rekha-family-tree-823544.html |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Usman|2016|pp=31–34}} Meanwhile, Pushpavalli had two children (Babuji and Rama) from her earlier marriage to the lawyer I. V. Rangachari.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=புஷ்பவல்லி |trans-title=Pushpavalli |language=ta |date=4 December 1948 |page=4 |magazine=Pesum Padam}}</ref> Ganesan and Pushpavalli had another daughter, Radha (born 1955).<ref name="Drama in real life">{{cite news |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Cinema/2013-12-22/Drama-in-real-life/80115 |title=Drama in real life |last=Kalyanam |first=Rajeswari |date=22 December 2013 |work=[[The Hans India]] |access-date=15 April 2021 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415044800/https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Cinema/2013-12-22/Drama-in-real-life/80115 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=32}} Nagaprasad and the actress [[Shubha (actress)|Shubha]] are her cousins, while [[Vedantam Raghavayya]] and his wife Suryaprabha are her uncle and aunt, respectively.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/memories-of-the-southern-devadas/article28387949.ece |title=Memories of the Southern Devadas |last=Lata |first=S. Suchitra |date=5 December 2002 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=13 April 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413111330/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/memories-of-the-southern-devadas/article28387949.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> Born to a [[Tamils|Tamil]] father and a [[Telugu people|Telugu]] mother, Rekha is fluent in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://i.imgur.com/FXHfWqo.png |work=[[The Times of India]] |title=I'm Old-Fashioned About Love |date=8 March 1987 |access-date=3 April 2013 |archive-date=15 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515231534/https://i.imgur.com/FXHfWqo.png | format=PNG |url-status=live}}</ref> She has mentioned that "at home we used to talk in English"<ref>{{cite video |people=Rekha |time=09:19 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=301bnXZqGWY&t=559s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/301bnXZqGWY |archive-date=9 March 2024 |url-status=live |title=Bollywood Actress Rekha Beautiful Telugu Speech {{pipe}} ANR National Awards |location=India |publisher=News Buzz}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and that she thinks in English.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/141109/entertainment-bollywood/article/%E2%80%98i-hold-no-grudges-against-anyone%E2%80%99 |work=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |title=I hold no grudges against anyone |last=Jha |first=Subhash K. |author-link=Subhash K. Jha |date=9 November 2014 |access-date=30 December 2017 |archive-date=28 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828022754/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/141109/entertainment-bollywood/article/%E2%80%98i-hold-no-grudges-against-anyone%E2%80%99 |url-status=live}}</ref> She is also fluent in Hindi.

Rekha did not reveal her family background until mid-1970s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/jul/31sli9.htm |title=When Rekha was called Bhanu |date=31 July 2008 |website=Rediff.com |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=10 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910193618/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/jul/31sli9.htm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EZFTAAAAYAAJ |title=Mutual Need |last=Ramachandran |first=T. M. |date=January 1983 |magazine=Film World |volume=20 |issue=1 |page=11 |access-date=22 April 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022011224/https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/Film_World/EZFTAAAAYAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref> During her unstable childhood, her relationship with her father Ganesan was estranged. Ganesan did not want to recognize her as his daughter and give her a living.{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=37}}<ref name="childhood">{{cite web |author=Chopra, Sonia |url=http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/fullstory.php?id=14539551&page=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012015851/http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/fullstory.php?id=14539551&page=2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 October 2007 |website=[[Sify]] |title=Rekha's journey: The 'ageless' diva over the years |date=8 October 2007 |access-date=19 April 2008}}</ref> He rarely met both of his children with Pushpavalli, who subsequently married K. Prakash, a cinematographer from Madras, and she legally changed her name to K. Pushpavalli. She gave birth to two more children, Dhanalakshmi (who later married the actor [[Tej Sapru]]) and the dancer Seshu (died 21 May 1991).{{sfn|Usman|2016|pp=33, 180}}<ref name="Seshu">{{cite news |url=http://www.filmfare.com/site/december97/cover1a.htm |title=Family Men |date=December 1997 |last=Mohamed |first=Khalid |author-link=Khalid Mohamed |work=[[Filmfare]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980705063355/http://www.filmfare.com/site/december97/cover1a.htm |archive-date=5 July 1998 |access-date=23 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Due to her mother's hectic acting schedule at the time, Rekha would often stay with her grandmother. Asked in an interview by [[Simi Garewal]] about her father, Rekha believed he was never even aware of her existence.<ref name="Rendezvous" /> She recalled that her mother often spoke about him and added that despite never having lived with him, she felt his presence all through.<ref name="Rendezvous">{{cite episode |last=Garewal |first=Simi |author-link=Simi Garewal |date=3 June 2004 |title=Rendezvous with Simi Garewal and Rekha |series=Rendezvous with Simi Garewal |medium=television production |publisher=[[STAR World]]}}</ref>{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=34}} Even so, the relationship started to improve five years after Pushpavalli died in 1991.<ref name="Seshu" /> He told a ''[[Cine Blitz]]'' interviewer of his happiness about this and stated, "Rekha and I have such a good rapport. We are really close."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Hot from Madras: Gemini's exclusive |date=December 1992 |volume=18 |issue=12 |magazine=[[Cine Blitz]] |location=Madras, India}}</ref> He died in 2005.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/gemini-ganesh-king-of-romance-passes-away/article27335936.ece |title=Gemini Ganesh, 'King of Romance', passes away |date=23 March 2005 |work=The Hindu |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423092025/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/gemini-ganesh-king-of-romance-passes-away/article27335936.ece |url-status=live}}</ref>
<!-- {{Quote
| quote  = "Our love for our mother was almost like an obsession, the reason being that she was never in the house. Most of the time she was away for shooting. The day she stayed at home was like a festival. All of use wanted to sit on her lap. I resented her for the overpowering effect she had on us and for not being around when we needed her. But I was in awe of her all the same."
| source = Rekha on her childhood, 1987{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=34}}
}} -->

Rekha was one year old when she played a small role in the Telugu-language drama ''[[Inti Guttu (1958 film)|Inti Guttu]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/191119/sridevi-brought-me-here.html |title='Sridevi brought me here' |last=Kavirayani |first=Suresh |date=19 November 2018 |work=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |access-date=15 April 2021 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415080851/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/191119/sridevi-brought-me-here.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Directed by [[Vedantam Raghavayya]], the film was released in late 1958 and became a commercial success.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/blast-from-the-past-intiguttu/article7429947.ece |title=Intiguttu (1958) |date=16 July 2015 |work=The Hindu |last=Narasimham |first=M. L. |access-date=15 April 2021 |archive-date=29 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329120449/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/blast-from-the-past-intiguttu/article7429947.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> She was enrolled at a [[kindergarten]] when she was at the age of three and next joined the Presentation Convent School in Madras during her adolescence.<ref name="Rekha defends herself">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.12061/page/n329/mode/2up?q= |title=Story: Rekha defends herself |date=8–9 December 1990 |magazine=[[The Illustrated Weekly of India]] |volume=111 |issue=44–51 |last=Ahmed |first=Rauf |editor-last=Nandy |editor-first=Pritish |editor-link=Pritish Nandy |pages=9–15 |access-date=15 April 2021}}</ref>{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=35}} She also met Narayani, Ganesan and Aramelu's second daughter,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/A-daughters-tribute/article15506075.ece |title=100 years of Gemini Ganesan: A daughter's tribute |date=1 January 2011 |work=The Hindu |last=Bhasakaran |first=S. Theodore |author-link=S. Theodore Bhaskaran |access-date=15 April 2021 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415060041/https://www.thehindu.com/books/A-daughters-tribute/article15506075.ece |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/metoo-political-power-holds-sway-over-some-voices |title=#MeToo: Why have no politicians been named? |last=Quraishi |first=Humra |date=30 October 2018 |work=[[National Herald]] |access-date=15 April 2021 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415060031/https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/opinion/metoo-political-power-holds-sway-over-some-voices |url-status=live}}</ref> at the school when the latter was around nine or ten years old.{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=35}} Always an awkward and lonely girl, she admitted that she experienced [[childhood obesity]]. In a 1990 interview to ''[[The Illustrated Weekly of India]]'', she called herself as "the fattest girl in the school". In this period, she developed a love for dances and sports, although never participated in them due to her weight.<ref name="Rekha defends herself" /> Because of this, she was bullied by many of her schoolmates, who called her ''lotta'' (Tamil for "bastard").{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=35}} Rekha, describing herself as a "firm believer" in God and destiny, used to spend her time at the school's [[chapel]].<ref name="Rekha defends herself" /> Another brief screen role came with the release of ''[[Rangula Ratnam (1966 film)|Rangula Ratnam]]'' (1966)—a political satire which was popular among the audience<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/11/28/stories/2008112851140100.htm |title=Tale of a celluloid poet |date=28 November 2008 |last=Guy |first=Randor |author-link=Randor Guy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202034341/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/11/28/stories/2008112851140100.htm |archive-date=2 December 2008 |url-status=dead |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=15 April 2021}}</ref>—co-starring Pushpavalli and sister Radha.{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=34}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/rangula-ratnam-1967/article24468586.ece |title=Rangula Ratnam (1967) |date=20 July 2018 |work=The Hindu |last=Narasimham |first=M. L. |access-date=15 April 2021 |archive-date=15 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415092013/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/rangula-ratnam-1967/article24468586.ece |url-status=live}}</ref>

According to her biographer [[Yasser Usman]], Rekha was asked by Pushpavalli to start an acting career when their family faced financial troubles in 1968, as the latter was sure that it would help them.<ref name="Rendezvous" />{{sfnm|1a1=Ganti|1y=2004|1p=134|2a1=Usman|2y=2016|2p=36}} Although never interested in acting, Rekha (who initially aspired to be a flight attendant)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://filmfare.indiatimes.com/thebuzz/dec2000/12_8_2000c.htm |title=Bhanu Rekha: Flying High! |date=12 August 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011004192134/http://filmfare.indiatimes.com/thebuzz/dec2000/12_8_2000c.htm |archive-date=4 October 2001 |work=Filmfare |access-date=20 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> obeyed her mother and, at the age of 13 or 14—while she was in ninth grade— dropped out from school to start a full-time career in acting;{{sfnm|1a1=Ganti|1y=2004|1p=134|2a1=Usman|2y=2016|2p=36}}{{efn|Tejaswini Ganti, in her book ''Bollywood: A Guidebook to Popular Hindi Cinema'' (2004), wrote that Rekha dropped out from her school when she was 13 years old.{{sfn|Ganti|2004|p=134}} Talking to ''Bombay: The City Magazine'' in 1986, Rekha said that it happened while she was 14.{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=35}} However, she seemingly contradicted herself after she supported Ganti's statement in her 2004 televised interview with the actress and television presenter [[Simi Garewal]].<ref name="Rendezvous" />}} she later regretted not having completed her education.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970118181920/http://www.gmagazine.com/html/rekha.html |archive-date=18 January 1997 |url=http://www.gmagazine.com:80/html/rekha.html |title="My acting talent is my most overrated virtue!" |date=1997 |last=Iyengar |first=Niranjan |author-link=Niranjan Iyengar |work=[[Chitralekha (weekly)|Chitralekha]] |access-date=21 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> A protective sister, she did not allow her younger sister Radha to join her line of work, because she wanted Radha to finish her education.<ref name="Rendezvous" />

==Film career==
{{see also|Rekha filmography}}

===Early roles (1968–1970)===
{{quote box
 | quote  = "Bombay was like a jungle, and I had walked in unarmed. It was one of the most frightening phases of my life... I was totally ignorant of the ways of this new world. Guys did try and take advantage of my vulnerability... 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 jewellery 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."
 | source =&nbsp;—Rekha on her first visit to Bombay, 1990<ref name="Rendezvous" />
 | align  = right
 | width  = 30%
}}
In late 1968, the [[Nairobi]]-based businessman Kuljeet Pal visited [[Gemini Studios]] in search of a newcomer for his new project ''[[Do Shikaari|Anjana Safar]]'' (an adaption of [[H. Rider Haggard]]'s 1885 novel ''[[King Solomon's Mines]]''). He spotted Rekha at the studio and cast her as the film's second female lead after [[Vanisri]]. Pal went to Pushpavalli's house to give Rekha a screen test, dictating a number of sentences in Hindi, which were rewrote by Rekha in [[Latin script]], and then told her to memorize it. A few moments later, Rekha recited the sentences completely and Pal was impressed of her native Hindi-speaker-like voice. He gave her a five-year contract to star in four films from him and his brother Shatrujeet Pal each.{{sfn|Usman|2016|pp=41–42}}

Rekha moved to [[Bombay]] (present-day Mumbai) in 1969 and rented a room at the Hotel Ajanta in the city's neighbourhood [[Juhu]], with Pal paying off the fee.{{sfn|Usman|2016|pp=43–44}} Also that year, she announced her debut to public and the media, and the successful [[Kannada]] film ''[[Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999]]'' with [[Dr. Rajkumar]], where she features as a lead for the first time, was released.<ref name="childhood"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GSFuAAAAMAAJ |title=Limelight: Star performer |date=September 1996 |volume=IV |issue=5 |work=Rashtriya Sahara |page=165 |access-date=17 April 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022011224/https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/Rashtriya_Sahara/GSFuAAAAMAAJ?hl |url-status=live}}</ref> In ''Anjana Safar'', directed by [[Raja Nawathe]], she played Sunita, a woman forced by her father to travel to Africa in search of a hidden treasure. She was paid {{INRConvert|25|k}} for her work.{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=44}}

Since her mother fell ill at the time, Rekha was accompanied by her aunt to the shooting, which started in August that year at [[Mehboob Studio]]. A controversy arose around a kissing scene featuring Rekha and male lead [[Biswajit Chatterjee]], of which she was not notified as Nawathe wanted to maintain her natural reaction.{{sfn|Usman|2016|pp=44–50}} In later years, Rekha complained at having been tricked into the scene.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/archives/jun122005/enter165418200569.asp |date=12 June 2005 |title=Rekha: timeless beauty |access-date=5 June 2008 |author=Raaj, Shaheen |work=[[Deccan Herald]] |archive-date=20 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520220700/http://www.deccanherald.com/archives/jun122005/enter165418200569.asp |url-status=live}}</ref> The film ran into censorship problems and would not be released until 1979, when it was retitled ''Do Shikaari''.<ref name="Dinesh">{{cite web |website=Rediff.com |author=Raheja, Dinesh |author-link=Dinesh Raheja |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2003/may/17dinesh.htm |date=17 May 2003 |access-date=20 September 2011 |title=Rekha: The divine diva |archive-date=24 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924222746/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2003/may/17dinesh.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> The kissing scene made it to the cover of the Asian edition of ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'' magazine in April 1970.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Raju |first1=Audinarayan |last2=Puri |first2=G. N. |editor-last=Shashi |editor-first=S. S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DdohlIUDakUC&q=Rekha+Life+magazine+kissing |title=She misses her kiss |date=5 April 1970 |volume=XVII |issue=14 |page=4 |magazine=[[Sainik Samachar]] |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022011224/https://books.google.com/books?id=DdohlIUDakUC&q=Rekha+Life+magazine+kissing |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://indiancine.ma/documents/QEZ/7 |title="Mummy won't like it." |date=17 December 1971 |pages=9–11 |magazine=Filmfare |volume=20 |issue=26 |last=K. |first=A. A. |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022011227/https://indiancine.ma/documents/QEZ/7 |url-status=live}}</ref> This prompted the American journalist James Shephard to travel to India to interview Rekha, which she saw as an opportunity to boost her career and express her complaint.{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=52}} ''Do Shikaari'' underperformed at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=185&catName=MTk3OQ== |title=Box Office 1979 |website=[[Box Office India]] |access-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216230645/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=185&catName=MTk3OQ== |archive-date=16 February 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Soon after her move to Bombay in 1969, Rekha was signed by the producer and director Mohan Sehgal for his film, ''[[Sawan Bhadon]]'', and the filming started on 11 October. He cast her as Chanda, a village girl who does not receive approval from her parents to marry her lover ([[Navin Nischol]]). Although her hair was already long and thick, Sehgal forced her to wear a [[wig]]. Hence, it did not fit on her hair and her hairdressers had to shave her hair to almost bald. She was not fluent in Hindi at the time and most of the film's crew mocked her for having South Indian background.{{sfn|Usman|2016|pp=56–59}} Marking her Hindi debut, ''Sawan Bhadon'' was released in September 1970 and became a commercial success.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.screenindia.com/20010518/f1970.html |title=1970 Files |date=18 May 2001 |work=[[Screen (magazine)|Screen]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030824055816/http://www.screenindia.com/20010518/f1970.html |archive-date=24 August 2003 |access-date=21 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=176&catName=MTk3MA== |title=Box Office 1970 |website=Box Office India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102010033/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=176&catName=MTk3MA== |archive-date=2 January 2010 |access-date=21 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Film reviewers scorned her looks, but complimented her confidence and comic timing in the film.{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=61}} [[Manoj Das]] believed that "embarrassment" was shown on Nischol's face in every scenes with Rekha,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UW4YAQAAIAAJ |title=Currents and Counters |date=1 August 1970 |pages=19–20 |last=Das |first=Manoj |author-link=Manoj Das |volume=22 |issue=27–52 |magazine=Thought |access-date=21 April 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022011226/https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/Thought/UW4YAQAAIAAJ?hl |url-status=live}}</ref> and ''Film World'' magazine noted the film's success was a breakthrough for her career.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Film World |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YOdOQRACrrkC |title=Where is Rajesh Khanna? |date=1971 |last=Ramachandran |first=T. M. |pages=26–28 |volume=7 |access-date=22 April 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022011226/https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/Film_World/YOdOQRACrrkC |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Amma Kosam'', a Telugu drama from the director [[Kolli Pratyagatma]], was released in the end of the year, and she dedicated it to her mother.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2019/nov/18/want-to-return-to-tollywood-rekha-2063254.html |title=Want to return to Tollywood: Rekha |date=18 November 2019 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |agency=Express News Service |access-date=21 April 2021 |archive-date=3 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503142329/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2019/nov/18/want-to-return-to-tollywood-rekha-2063254.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.andhrajyothy.com/telugunews/abnarchievestorys-412013 |title=అమ్మ సినిమాలు |language=Telugu |trans-title=Amma cinema |date=14 May 2017 |work=[[Andhra Jyothi]] |access-date=21 April 2021 |archive-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421092334/https://www.andhrajyothy.com/telugunews/abnarchievestorys-412013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Career fluctuations in the 1970s (1971–1977)===
Rekha subsequently got several offers but nothing of substance, as her roles were mostly just of a glamour girl.{{sfn|Ganti|2004|p=134}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lokapally |first1=Vijay |author-link1=Vijay Lokapally |title=Anokhi Ada (1973) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/Anokhi-Ada-1973/article14639467.ece |access-date=2 June 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=15 September 2016 |language=en-IN |archive-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027202839/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/Anokhi-Ada-1973/article14639467.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> She was highly prolific during the decade, working on average in ten films a year, most of which were deemed potboilers and failed to propel her career forward in terms of roles and appreciation.{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=97}} She appeared in several commercially successful films at the time, including ''[[Raampur Ka Lakshman]]'' (1972), ''[[Kahani Kismat Ki]]'' (1973), and ''[[Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye]]'' (1974), yet she was not regarded for her acting abilities and—according to the author [[Tejaswini Ganti]]—"the industry was surprised by her success as her dark complexion, plump figure, and garish clothing contradicted the norms of beauty prevalent in the film industry and in society."{{sfn|Ganti|2004|p=134}}<ref name="childhood"/> In 1975, she appeared in the war film ''[[Aakraman]]'' as [[Rakesh Roshan]]'s wife Sheetal, a role [[Qurratulain Hyder]] thought was cliché and labelled "a clothes-horse".<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Hyder |first1=Qurratulain |author-link1=Qurratulain Hyder |title=Film Review: Aakraman |magazine=The Illustrated Weekly of India |date=15 June 1975 |page=39 |volume=XCVI |issue=24}}</ref> [[Randhir Kapoor]]'s ''[[Dharam Karam]]'' is a drama about a [[hoodlum]], and ''Link'' magazine noted that Rekha's part in it is the most pathetic of the entire cast.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ur0xAQAAIAAJ |title=The Arts |volume=18 |issue=27–29 |date=15–29 February 1976 |magazine=Link |access-date=22 April 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022011227/https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/Link/Ur0xAQAAIAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref> The mafia film ''[[Dharmatma]]'' was her only financial success of the year.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/godfather-offer-no-one-can-refuse/articleshow/6042312.cms |title='Godfather' offer no one can refuse |date=13 June 2010 |work=The Times of India |last=Dubey |first=Bharati |agency=Times News Network |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423071155/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/godfather-offer-no-one-can-refuse/articleshow/6042312.cms |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=181&catName=MTk3NQ== |title=Box Office 1975 |website=Box Office India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102010253/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=181&catName=MTk3NQ== |archive-date=2 January 2010 |access-date=22 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Directed by and starring [[Feroz Khan (actor)|Feroz Khan]], the film saw her in the part of Anu, Khan's childhood sweetheart.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/dharmatma-1975/article4316386.ece |title=Dharmatma (1975) |last=Kohli |first=Suresh |date=17 January 2013 |work=The Hindu |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413120315/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/dharmatma-1975/article4316386.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> Additional films include ''[[Kabeela]]'', about her appearance in which critic Gautam Kundu wrote that she "manages to be as undistinguished as the script will allow, which is plenty".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kundu |first1=Gautam |title=Watch it through half-shut eyes |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.99442/page/n75/mode/2up |access-date=8 October 2024 |work=Sunday |date=9 January 1977}}</ref>

Rekha recalls that the way she was perceived at that time motivated her to change her appearance and improve her choice of roles: "I was called the [ugly duckling] of Hindi films because of my dark complexion and South Indian features. I used to feel deeply hurt when people compared me with the leading heroines of the time and said I was no match for them. I was determined to make it big on sheer merit."<ref name="Mukherjee, Promita">{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]] |author=Mukherjee, Promita |title=The diva rules |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080803/jsp/graphiti/story_9633760.jsp |date=3 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629125637/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080803/jsp/graphiti/story_9633760.jsp |archive-date=29 June 2011 |access-date=27 February 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The mid-1970s marked the beginning of her physical transformation. She started paying attention to her make-up, dress sense, and worked to improve her acting technique and perfect her Hindi-language skills for three months.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://entertainment.zeenext.com:80/cinema/whatsnew/rekha.html |title=Madame X: Beautiful, mysterious Rekha |date=2000 |website=[[Zee Next]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000929085055/http://entertainment.zeenext.com/cinema/whatsnew/rekha.html |archive-date=29 September 2000 |access-date=28 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> To lose weight, she followed a nutritious diet, led a regular, disciplined life, and practised yoga, later recording albums to promote physical fitness. According to [[Khalid Mohamed]], "The audience was floored when there was a swift change in her screen personality, as well as her style of acting."<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Filmfare |author=Mohamed, Khalid |date=June 2002 |url=http://downloads.movies.indiatimes.com/site/june2002/flashback.html |title=Love, anger, the works! |access-date=1 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225180021/http://downloads.movies.indiatimes.com/site/june2002/flashback.html |archive-date=25 February 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Rekha began choosing her film roles with more care.<ref name="ever-grogeous" />{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=82}}

Rekha's first performance-oriented role came in 1976 when she played [[Amitabh Bachchan]]'s ambitious and greedy wife in ''[[Do Anjaane]]'';<ref name="ever-grogeous">{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |title=Ever gorgeous |date=6 October 2010 |access-date=27 February 2011 |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/10/16/stories/2010101650330700.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629033342/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/10/16/stories/2010101650330700.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2011 |author=Das Gupta, Ranjan |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> it would be her first of many appearances with the actor.<ref name="Rendezvous" /> (They appeared together in ''[[Namak Haraam]]'' (1973), but Rekha was paired opposite [[Rajesh Khanna]]). Her role is Rekha Roy, the wife of Bachchan's character who becomes an established actress. Shooting took place in [[Calcutta]] (present-day Kolkata) and was finished within a month; Rekha and the other cast and crew would stayed at the [[Grand Hotel (Kolkata)|Grand Hotel]].{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=85}} An adaptation of [[Nihar Ranjan Gupta]]'s novel ''Ratrir Yatri'', the film—directed by [[Dulal Guha]] and scripted by [[Nabendu Ghosh]]—was popular among the audience and critics.<ref name="childhood"/> ''Film World'' wrote that she has proved herself as a leading actress in Hindi cinema as filmmakers had started taking more notice of her and become more keen to cast her in their films.{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=86}} She remarked that it was difficult to stand in front of Bachchan, speaking of how she felt [[paranoid]] after she knew that he would star opposite her in the film.<ref name="Rendezvous" /> She stated that he contributed to "dramatic changes" in her life and was a big influence in her adulthood, and described him "[someone] I'd never seen before".<ref name="Rendezvous" />{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=90}}

1977 was the third year when Rekha was consecutively gained one commercial success; the action crime ''[[Khoon Pasina]]'' emerged as the sixth-highest-grossing Indian film of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Box Office 1977 |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=183&catName=MTk3Nw== |website=Box Office India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102010118/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=183&catName=MTk3Nw== |archive-date=2 January 2010 |access-date=25 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In the same year, she starred in the comedy-drama ''[[Aap Ki Khatir (1977 film)|Aap Ki Khatir]]'', opposite [[Vinod Khanna]] and [[Nadira (Indian actress)|Nadira]]. Her role as the poor girl won her awards from a number of film journalists' associations.<ref name="Film World Awards">{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xXhTAAAAYAAJ |magazine=Film World |volume=XV |issue=10 |last=Ramachandran |first=T.M. |title=The temptress... |date=October 1978 |page=26 |access-date=22 April 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022011227/https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/Film_World/xXhTAAAAYAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref> In a retrospective review for ''[[The Hindu]]'', the sport journalist and film critic [[Vijay Lokapally]] presumed that Rekha's role was challenging for her and appreciated her chemistry with Khanna; a ''Link'' reviewer praised its social themes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lokapally |first1=Vijay |title=Aap Ki Khatir (1977) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/aap-ki-khatir-1977/article17435998.ece |access-date=2 June 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=10 March 2017 |language=en-IN |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022011227/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/aap-ki-khatir-1977/article17435998.ece |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u3RDAAAAYAAJ |title=Letters |date=August–September 1977 |magazine=Link |volume=29 |issue=2–7 |page=31 |access-date=25 April 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022011228/https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/Link/u3RDAAAAYAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Film World'' awarded her with the Best Actress trophy for her work in ''[[Immaan Dharam]]'', an action film that received mixed critical reviews.{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=94}} It features her as Durga, a Tamilian labourer who falls for the thief Mohan Kumar-Saxena ([[Shashi Kapoor]]).<ref name="Film World Awards" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/blast-from-the-past-immaan-dharam-1977/article6913098.ece |title=Immaan Dharam (1977) |last=Lokapally |first=Vijay |date=19 February 2015 |work=The Hindu |access-date=25 April 2021 |archive-date=1 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801054543/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/blast-from-the-past-immaan-dharam-1977/article6913098.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Cine Blitz'' praised Rekha for proving her talent in acting.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=slIqAAAAYAAJ |title=Buck Up Rekha |date=1979 |volume=5 |issue=2 |magazine=Cine Blitz |page=120 |access-date=26 April 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022025715/https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/Cine_Blitz/slIqAAAAYAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Turning point, stardom, and parallel cinema (1978–1984) ===
Rekha's turning point came in 1978, with her portrayal of a rape victim in the social drama ''[[Ghar (1978 film)|Ghar]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/1975-1996-this-time-that-year/ |title=1975-1996: This time, that year |date=26 December 1997 |last=Chheda |first=Subhash |work=[[The Indian Express]] |access-date=26 April 2021 |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418204745/https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/1975-1996-this-time-that-year/ |url-status=live}}</ref> She plays Aarti, a newly married woman who gets gravely traumatized after being gang-raped. The film follows her character's struggle and traumatised with the help of her husband ([[Vinod Mehra]]).<ref name="Tribune78">{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |author=Dhawan, M. L. |title=Such films are made with ''Junoon'' |date=28 October 2001 |access-date=19 September 2011 |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20011028/spectrum/main7.htm |archive-date=3 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103045319/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20011028/spectrum/main7.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> The film was considered her first notable milestone,{{sfn|Ganti|2004|p=134}} and her performance was acclaimed by both critics and audiences.<ref name="Rekha defends herself" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Salam |first1=Ziya Us |title=Ghar (1978) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/ghar-1978/article6129847.ece |access-date=2 June 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=19 June 2014 |language=en-IN |archive-date=28 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128161156/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/ghar-1978/article6129847.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Dinesh Raheja]] elaborated, "''Ghar'' heralded the arrival of a mature Rekha. Her archetypal jubilance was replaced by her very realistic portrayal..."<ref name="Dinesh"/> She received her first nomination for [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] at the [[Filmfare Awards]].<ref name="childhood"/> In that same year, her another release, ''[[Muqaddar Ka Sikandar]]'', emerged as 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.<ref name="top actresses">{{cite web |website=Box Office India |title=Top Actress |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actress |access-date=8 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227120846/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actress |archive-date=27 December 2012}}</ref> The film opened to a positive critical reception,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yadav |first1=Sandeep |title=Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/muqaddar-ka-sikandar-1978/article8591212.ece |access-date=2 June 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=12 May 2016 |language=en-IN |archive-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031054255/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/muqaddar-ka-sikandar-1978/article8591212.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> and Rekha's brief role as a ''[[tawaif]]'' named Zohrabai earned her a [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] nomination at the Filmfare.<ref name="childhood"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.screenindia.com/20010713/f1978.html |title=1978 Files |date=13 July 2001 |work=Screen |last=Motwani |first=Monica |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031030152748/http://www.screenindia.com/20010713/f1978.html |archive-date=30 October 2003 |access-date=26 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> M. L. Dhawan of ''[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]'' noted her "smouldering intensity".<ref name="Tribune78" /> Rekha recalled this phase as a period of self-discovery.{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=104}} Other films that year include ''[[Karmayogi (1978 film)|Karmayogi]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Malhotra |first1=Aps |title=Karmayogi (1978) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/karmayogi-1978/article6811948.ece |access-date=2 June 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=22 January 2015 |language=en-IN |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022025733/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/karmayogi-1978/article6811948.ece |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following ''Do Anjaane'', speculation about a love affair with her co-star Amitabh Bachchan generated.<ref name="Rendezvous" /> Filmmakers at the time saw this as an opportunity to publicise their films by exploiting their alleged affair on-screen, as done in ''[[Mr. Natwarlal]]'' and ''[[Suhaag (1979 film)|Suhaag]]''—both 1979 releases and highly popular with audiences.{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=111}} In ''Mr. Natwarlal'', an action romance set in [[Calcutta]], Rekha portrays the simple, village woman Shanoo to good reviews.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.screenindia.com/20010713/f1978.html |title=1979 Files |date=13 July 2001 |work=Screen |last=Motwani |first=Monica |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031030152748/http://www.screenindia.com/20010713/f1978.html |archive-date=30 October 2003 |access-date=27 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lokapally |first1=Vijay |title=Mr. Natwarlal (1979) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/mr-natwarlal-1979/article8418624.ece |access-date=2 June 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=31 March 2016 |language=en-IN |archive-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101141543/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/mr-natwarlal-1979/article8418624.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Suhaag'', like ''Muqaddar Ka Sikandar'', featured her as a courtesan and became the year's highest-grossing picture.<ref>{{cite web|author=Box Office India|title=Top Earners 1979|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=185&catName=MTk3OQ==|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=20 November 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020102901/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=185&catName=MTk3OQ==|archive-date=20 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The next two years were even more successful.{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=106}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/aug/11intro.htm |title=Forever Rekha! |date=11 August 2003 |website=Rediff.com |last=Kulkarni |first=Ronjita |access-date=27 April 2021 |archive-date=27 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427033315/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/aug/11intro.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1980, Rekha starred in the comedy ''[[Khubsoorat]]'' by [[Hrishikesh Mukherjee]]. In a role written specially for her, she played Manju Dayal, a young vivacious woman who visits her recently married sister and tries to bring joy to the wide family, much to the dissatisfaction of the matriarch of the household.{{sfn|Ray|2005|p=250}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/Its-a-womans-world/article16192162.ece |title=It's a woman's world |date=10 July 2010 |last=Basu |first=Kankana |work=The Hindu |access-date=27 April 2021 |archive-date=27 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427032304/https://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/Its-a-womans-world/article16192162.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> Rekha said she easily identified with the bubbly nature of her character, calling it "quite a bit me".<ref>{{cite episode |title=Rekha on Rekha |medium=television production |network=[[BBC]] |series=Asian Magazine |date=September 1986 |last=Gould |first=Krishan}}<!-- |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkrwk0YJoq4 --></ref> ''Khubsoorat'', and Rekha's performance in it, were well received by reviewers, and the film was a financial success.<ref name="ever-grogeous"/> At the Filmfare Awards, the film was named [[Filmfare Award for Best Film|Best Film]] and Rekha won her first [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] award.<ref name="childhood"/> ''The Tribune'' lauded Rekha's "spunky performance" for giving the film "its natural zing".<ref>{{cite news |title=When substance was more important |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20011202/spectrum/main6.htm |newspaper=The Tribune |date=2 December 2001 |access-date=19 September 2011 |author=Dhawan, M. L. |archive-date=26 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026110444/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20011202/spectrum/main6.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Maang Bharo Sajana]]'' and ''[[Judaai (1980 film)|Judaai]]'', both directed by [[T. Rama Rao]], and [[Saawan Kumar Tak]]'s ''[[Saajan Ki Saheli]]'', brought her further critical attention that year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.screenindia.com/20010817/f19.html |title=1980 Files |date=17 August 2001 |work=Screen |last=Motwani |first=Monica |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031029055318/http://www.screenindia.com/20010817/f19.html |archive-date=29 October 2003 |access-date=27 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Box Office 1980 |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=186&catName=MTk4MA== |access-date=16 July 2021 |work=[[Box Office India]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115225656/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=186&catName=MTk4MA== |archive-date=15 January 2013}}</ref>

Rekha's alleged love affair speculation with Amitabh Bachchan culminated when they starred together in [[Yash Chopra]]'s romantic drama ''[[Silsila (1981 film)|Silsila]]''.<ref name="Affair with Bachchan">{{cite web |title=Big B's big affairs |url=http://www.hindustantimes.in/news/specials/amitabh/affairs.htm |work=Hindustan Times |last=Chatterjee |first=Saibal |author-link=Saibal Chatterjee |date=10 October 2007 |location=New Delhi, India |access-date=27 April 2021 |archive-date=8 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008202530/http://www.hindustantimes.in/news/specials/amitabh/affairs.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> It was the most scandalous of their films together as it reflected the rumours by the press: Rekha played Bachchan's lover, while Bachchan's real-life wife [[Jaya Bachchan]] played his wife.<ref name="Silsila">{{cite news |last1=Sethi |first1=Sunil |title=Silsila: Pretty nothingness |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19810915-film-review-silsila-starring-amitabh-bachchan-rekha-jaya-bachchan-shashi-kapoor-sanjeev-kumar-773234-2013-11-07 |access-date=12 May 2020 |work=India Today |date=15 September 1981 |archive-date=2 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102074042/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19810915-film-review-silsila-starring-amitabh-bachchan-rekha-jaya-bachchan-shashi-kapoor-sanjeev-kumar-773234-2013-11-07 |url-status=live}}</ref> The film was filmed secretly during 1980–1981, with Chopra not allowing the media to visit the shooting.{{sfnm|1a1=Dwyer|1y=2019b|1p=122|2a1=Usman|2y=2016|2p=131}} ''Silsila'' was regarded by many journalists as "a casting coup",<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.screenindia.com/20010817/f19.html |title=1981 Files |last=Motwani |first=Monica |work=Screen |date=17 August 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031029055318/http://www.screenindia.com/20010817/f19.html |archive-date=29 October 2003 |access-date=27 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/8D4CBC28B2A8155765256940004E87CC?OpenDocument |title=The rest is history |last=Lahiri |first=Monijit |date=21 November 1999 |work=[[Deccan Herald]] |access-date=27 April 2021}}</ref> and this was the last collaboration between Rekha and Bachchan.<ref name="Affair with Bachchan"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/E3BCBAE474F6E14265256940006200BB?OpenDocument |title=Lingering memories |date=11 July 1997 |work=The Hindu |last=Somaaya |first=Bhawana |author-link=Bhawana Somaaya |access-date=27 April 2021}}</ref> The film premiered in July 1981 to critical and commercial failure, and Chopra attributed this to the casting, feeling the audience's attention was strictly focused on the speculation rather than the plot.<ref name="Affair with Bachchan" />{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=136}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/The-romance-continues%E2%80%A6/article14693178.ece |title=The romance continues... |last=Chhibber |first=Mini Anthikad |date=23 April 2011 |work=The Hindu |access-date=27 April 2021 |archive-date=27 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427121357/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/The-romance-continues%E2%80%A6/article14693178.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[India Today]]''{{'s}} Sunil Sethi saw that Rekha was "as synthetic as [Amitabh Bachchan's] tiresome chauvinism".<ref name="Silsila" /> Other films starring her that year include [[Ramesh Talwar]]'s ''[[Baseraa]]'' and T. Rama Rao's ''[[Ek Hi Bhool]]'' (a remake of the 1981 Tamil film ''[[Mouna Geethangal]]'')<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19840215-k.-bhagyaraj-the-reigning-king-in-the-world-of-madras-film-hollywood-802749-1984-02-15 |title=K. Bhagyaraj: Box-office baron |date=15 February 1984 |work=India Today |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |access-date=29 April 2021 |archive-date=28 August 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200828164724/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19840215-k.-bhagyaraj-the-reigning-king-in-the-world-of-madras-film-hollywood-802749-1984-02-15 |url-status=live}}</ref> both box-office successes.{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=157}} She received another Filmfare Best Actress nomination for ''[[Jeevan Dhaara]]'' (1982), in which she played a young unmarried woman who is the sole breadwinner of her extended family.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SOAEAQAAIAAJ |title=Herstory: When Peasant Women Arose |date=1980 |pages=48–49 |issue=5–12 |volume=2 |magazine=[[Manushi]] |access-date=2 May 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022025715/https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/Manushi/SOAEAQAAIAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref>

During this period, Rekha was willing to expand her range beyond what she was given in mainstream films and started working in [[parallel cinema]], a movement of Indian neo-realist [[art films]]. These films include ''[[Kalyug (1981 film)|Kalyug]]'' (1981), ''[[Umrao Jaan (1981 film)|Umrao Jaan]]'' (1981), ''[[Vijeta (1982 film)|Vijeta]]'' (1982), ''[[Utsav]]'' (1984) and ''[[Ijaazat]]'' (1987).{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=158}} ''Umrao Jaan'', a film adaptation of [[Mirza Hadi Ruswa]]'s [[Urdu language|Urdu]] novel ''[[Umrao Jaan Ada]]'' (1905), saw Rekha in the title role of the poet and [[hooker with a heart of gold|courtesan with a heart of gold]] from [[Lucknow]] in the 1840s.{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=148}} Made on a lavish production cost,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19800415-umrao-jaan-attempts-to-recapture-aristocratic-grandeur-of-awadh-806570-2014-02-01 |title=Umrao Jaan: Aristocracy for sale |date=15 April 1980 |work=India Today |last=Subramaniam |first=Chitra |author-link=Chitra Subramaniam |access-date=27 April 2021 |archive-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031081328/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19800415-umrao-jaan-attempts-to-recapture-aristocratic-grandeur-of-awadh-806570-2014-02-01 |url-status=live}}</ref> the film follows Umrao's life story from her childhood as a girl named Amiran who is kidnapped and sold in a brothel to her position years later as a popular courtesan who seeks happiness amid love affairs and other tribulations.{{sfn|Garga|1996|p=266}} In preparation for the part, Rekha, who at the beginning of her career did not speak Hindi, took the task of learning the finer nuances of the Urdu language.<ref name="47years">{{cite web |title=An enigma called Rekha |author=Verma, Sukanya |author-link=Sukanya Verma |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/oct/10rek.htm |date=10 October 2001 |access-date=5 June 2008 |website=Rediff.com |archive-date=24 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724012954/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/oct/10rek.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Rekha was widely applauded for her performance, which has since been cited as one of her best work.{{sfn|Ray|2005|p=148}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/no-comparison-aishwarya/article3066587.ece |title=No comparison: Aishwarya |date=27 October 2006 |work=The Hindu |agency=Press Trust of India |access-date=27 April 2021 |archive-date=27 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427065641/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-otherstates/no-comparison-aishwarya/article3066587.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> Balu Bharatan of ''[[The Illustrated Weekly of India]]'' wrote of her "unexplored reserves of histronic strength".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.bengal.10689.11968/page/n279/mode/2up?q=Rekha |title=Umrao Jaan: A quartet of National Awards |date=9 May 1982 |last=Bharatan |first=Balu |magazine=The Illustrated Weekly of India |pages=17, 19 |volume=103 |issue=1–24 |access-date=27 April 2021}}</ref> She was awarded the [[National Film Award for Best Actress]] and earned another Filmfare Award nomination, with ''[[Filmfare]]'' later considering this one of the most iconic performances of Bollywood history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm29thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=29NFA.pdf |title=29th National Film Awards |website=iffi.nic.in |publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]] |access-date=7 August 2011 |page=12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721170327/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm29thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=29NFA.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The year of blockbusters and potboilers |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020203/spectrum/main5.htm |newspaper=The Tribune |date=3 February 2002 |access-date=19 September 2011 |author=Dhawan, M. L. |archive-date=3 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103045257/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020203/spectrum/main5.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> She later claimed that the film was a turning point.<ref name="Mukherjee, Promita" />

Among her work in art films, [[Shyam Benegal]]'s ''Kalyug'' is a modern-day adaptation of the Indian mythological epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', depicted as an archetypal conflict between rival business houses.{{sfn|Garga|1996|p=248}} Rekha's role Supriya is based on [[Draupadi]].{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=158}} Benegal cast her in the role after seeing her work in ''Khubsoorat'' and took further note of her being "very keen, very serious about her profession".<ref name="link">{{cite journal |title=Khubsoorat |journal=Link |page=36 |year=1988 |publisher=United India Periodicals |author=Narayanan, Edatata |volume=30 |issue=1}}</ref> Critic and author [[Vijay Nair (author)|Vijay Nair]] described her performance as "a masterful interpretation of the modern Draupadi".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2009/08/23/stories/2009082350180500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828041902/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2009/08/23/stories/2009082350180500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 August 2009 |date=23 August 2009 |access-date=25 September 2011 |title=Where are the actors? |author=Nair, Vijay |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> [[Madhu Trehan]] complimented her for playing "flawlessly" the part of "a woman of intelligence, strength and a barely suppressed yearning for her young brother-in-law".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Trehan |first1=Madhu |author-link1=Madhu Trehan |title=Kalyug: Intrigues of the rich |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19810515-film-review-kalyug-starring-shashi-kapoor-rekha-kulbhushan-kharbanda-raj-babbar-805938-2014-02-26 |access-date=12 May 2020 |work=India Today |date=15 May 1981 |language=en |archive-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101101258/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19810515-film-review-kalyug-starring-shashi-kapoor-rekha-kulbhushan-kharbanda-raj-babbar-805938-2014-02-26 |url-status=live}}</ref> The 1982 [[Coming-of-age story|coming-of-age film]] ''Vijeta'' saw her as Neelima who struggles through her marital problems and tries to support her adolescent son, who, undecided about his future plans, eventually decides to join the Indian Air Force. She has since described the role as one of her favourite.<ref name="ever-grogeous"/>

In [[Girish Karnad]]'s erotic drama ''Utsav'', based on [[Śūdraka]]'s [[Sanskrit]] play ''[[Mṛcchakatika]]'' from the fourth century, she portrays the courtesan [[Vasantasena]] and, for her performance, was acknowledged as the [[Bengal Film Journalists' Association Award for Best Actress (Hindi)|Best Actress (Hindi)]] by the [[Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards|Bengal Film Journalists' Association]].{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=159}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bfjaawards.com/legacy/pastwin/198952.htm |title=1989: 52nd Annual BFJA Awards |website=[[Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108062601/http://www.bfjaawards.com/legacy/pastwin/198952.htm |archive-date=8 January 2010 |access-date=3 May 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The film attracted wide coverage for its sensuality and Rekha's intimate scenes; she took this as a way to compete with female newcomers at the time. ''Utsav'' polarized both the audience and film reviewers with its script and direction; her work and costumes, however, were well received.{{sfn|Usman|2016|pp=160–161}} A review in ''[[Asiaweek]]'' noted Rekha "dressed in little more than glittering jewellery".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F1ELAQAAMAAJ |title=Utsav |last=Rao |first=C. B. |magazine=[[Asiaweek]] |via=Google |language=en |volume=40 |issue=40–45 |date=October–November 1985 |page=11 |access-date=3 May 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022011416/https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/Asiaweek/F1ELAQAAMAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2003, [[Maithili Rao]] wrote, "Rekha—forever the first choice for the courtesan's role, be it ancient Hindu India or 19th-century Muslim Lucknow—is all statuesque sensuality..."{{sfn|Gulzar|Nihalani|Chatterjee|2003|pages=105–106}} In Gulzar's drama ''Ijaazat'', Rekha and [[Naseeruddin Shah]] star as a divorced couple who meet unexpectedly for the first time after years of separation at a railway station, and recall together their life as a married couple and the conflicts which brought about their eventual split.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhattacharya |first1=Ananya |title=Monday Masala, Ijaazat: One night in a railway waiting room |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/standpoint/story/ijaazat-review-gulzar-naseeruddin-shah-rekha-1666407-2020-04-13 |access-date=12 May 2020 |work=India Today |date=13 April 2020 |archive-date=11 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511170306/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/standpoint/story/ijaazat-review-gulzar-naseeruddin-shah-rekha-1666407-2020-04-13 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Setback and resurgence (1985–1989) ===

Apart from parallel cinema, Rekha took on other increasingly adventurous roles. She was among the early actresses to play lead roles in heroine-oriented revenge films, the first of which was ''[[Khoon Bhari Maang]]'' in 1988.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rahman |first1=M. |title=Hindi films: On screen, it is no longer men alone who is spilling blood |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/story/19880715-hindi-films-on-screen-it-is-no-longer-men-alone-who-is-spilling-blood-797492-1988-07-15 |access-date=13 May 2020 |work=India Today |date=15 July 1988 |language=en |archive-date=30 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130203826/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/story/19880715-hindi-films-on-screen-it-is-no-longer-men-alone-who-is-spilling-blood-797492-1988-07-15 |url-status=live}}</ref> Made by Rakesh Roshan specifically with Rekha in mind, the film featured her in the role Aarti Saxena, a wealthy, unassuming widow who narrowly survives an attempted murder by her scheming second husband and—presumed to be dead—returns to seek revenge under a concealed identity. She won her second [[Filmfare Award]] for her performance in the film. Rekha went on to describe ''Khoon Bhari Maang'' as "the first and only film I concentrated and understood all throughout."<ref>{{cite video |people=Rekha |time=09:45 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5kbz3TpHvM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/M5kbz3TpHvM |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live |title=Rekha on Rekha |medium=Television production |location=India |publisher=BBC}}{{cbignore}}</ref> M.L. Dhawan from ''[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]'', while documenting the famous Hindi films of 1988, remarked that ''Khoon Bhari Maang'' was "a crowning glory for Rekha, who rose like a phoenix ... and bedazzled the audience with her daredevilry."<ref>{{cite news |title=Year of offbeat films |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020818/spectrum/main5.htm |newspaper=[[Sunday Tribune]] |date=18 August 2002 |access-date=18 September 2011 |author=Dhawan, M.L. |archive-date=9 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309114228/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020818/spectrum/main5.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''{{'}}s ''Encyclopædia of Hindi Cinema'' listed her role in the film as one of Hindi cinema's memorable female characters, noting it for changing "the perception of the ever-forgiving wife, turning her into an avenging angel."{{sfn|Gulzar|Nihalani|Chatterjee|2003|page=401}} In a similar list by ''[[Screen (magazine)|Screen]]'' magazine, the role was included as one of "ten memorable roles that made the Hindi film heroine proud."<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Screen (magazine)|Screen]]; Woman Special |title=Role Model |date=9 March 2001 |author=Motwani, Monica |url=http://www.screenindia.com/old/20010309/review.htm |publisher=Indian Express Limited |access-date=20 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091023103134/http://www.screenindia.com/old/20010309/review.htm |archive-date=23 October 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In later interviews, Rekha has mentioned that receiving the Filmfare Award for this role was a surprise and a turning point that gave her reassurance and validation after taking a small break and getting eclipsed by younger stars. "All that applause from the film fraternity inspired me and made me realize that I am still wanted. I felt even more charged to give my best and knew right then, that this was my calling, what I was born to do, to make a difference in people's lives, through my performances."<ref>{{cite news |title="The one question I am often asked is 'why are you still single'" – Rekha |agency=Bollywood Hungama News Network |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |date=3 June 2011 |access-date=4 June 2011 |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/slideshows/slideshow-all-that-will-happen-on-kbc-this-holi/2011/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607011918/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/slideshow/2011/06/03/903/index2.html |archive-date=7 June 2011}}</ref>

===Career fluctuations and short revival (1990–1999)===
The 1990s saw a drop in Rekha's success. Few of her films were successful and many of her roles were condemned by reviewers. Critics still noted, however, that unlike most of the actresses of her generation, like [[Hema Malini]] and [[Raakhee]], who succumbed to playing character parts, typically of mothers and aunts, Rekha was still playing leading roles at a time when younger female stars rose to fame.<ref name="47years"/> The first year of the decade saw four releases featuring Rekha, including ''[[Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai]]'' and ''[[Amiri Garibi]]'', all of which went unnoticed. Still recovering from the recent suicide of her husband and struggling with the ensuing press antagonism towards her, Rekha retained considerable success with her starring role as Namrata Singh, a young woman who joins the police force to avenge her husband's death in [[K. C. Bokadia]]'s ''[[Phool Bane Angaray]]'' (1991). The film was a box-office hit and Rekha received a Best Actress nomination at Filmfare for her work, in reference to which [[Subhash K. Jha]] remarked, "Khaki never seemed sexier".<ref>{{cite web |last=K. Jha |first=Subhash |title=12 Best cops acts in Bollywood |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=25 August 2014 |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/7078 |author-link=Subhash K. Jha |access-date=25 April 2015 |archive-date=20 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420022044/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/7078 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first=Vinayak |last=Chakravorty |author-link=Vinayak Chakravorty |title=B-town cops: A good buzz |journal=India Today |date=10 August 2014 |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bollywood-actors-cops-singham-returns-ajay-devgn-rani-mukerji-mardaani/1/376439.html |access-date=25 April 2015 |archive-date=22 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722095316/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bollywood-actors-cops-singham-returns-ajay-devgn-rani-mukerji-mardaani/1/376439.html |url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Indian Express'' wrote that she "rides horses, wields swords and does justice to the title in being ''phool'' (a flower) and becoming ''angaarey'' (burning coal)".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Krishnaswmy |first1=N. |title=The Arts - Reviews |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=boBlAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA7 |access-date=27 October 2021 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |publisher=[[Express Group]] |date=30 August 1991 |language=en}}</ref>

The public's acceptance of ''Phool Bane Angaray'' and ''Khoon Bhari Maang'' prompted several filmmakers to come with similar offers to Rekha, and she played such roles—labeled "avenging angels"—in several of her proceeding projects to a much less consequential effect. These included her next film ''Insaaf Ki Devi'' (1992), and later films such as ''[[Ab Insaf Hoga]]'' (1995) and ''[[Udaan (1997 film)|Udaan]]'' (1997), all of which were major duds.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Rekha returns as the avenging angel in Insaaf Ki Devi |journal=India Today |date=29 February 1992 |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rekha-returns-as-the-avenging-angel-in-insaaf-ki-devi/1/308567.html |access-date=26 April 2015 |archive-date=22 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722095312/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rekha-returns-as-the-avenging-angel-in-insaaf-ki-devi/1/308567.html |url-status=live}}</ref> She followed with a dual role of twin sisters in [[Shakti Samanta]]'s ''[[Geetanjali (1993 film)|Geetanjali]]'' opposite [[Jeetendra]] and the title role in the box-office disaster ''[[Madam X (1994 film)|Madam X]]'', in which she starred as a young woman hired by the police to impersonate a female underworld don.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Shikha |title=''Hum hai maut ki woh express, duniya jise kehte hai Madam X'' |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-hum-hai-maut-ki-woh-express-duniya-jise-kehte-hai-madam-x-1752198 |access-date=7 May 2020 |work=DNA India |date=14 October 2012 |language=en |archive-date=28 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228124356/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-hum-hai-maut-ki-woh-express-duniya-jise-kehte-hai-madam-x-1752198 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Halfway through the decade, Rekha managed to halt her decline when she accepted several highly-controversial films, including ''[[Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love]]'' and ''[[Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi]]'' (1996). ''Kama Sutra'', a foreign production directed by [[Mira Nair]], was an erotic drama, and many felt her role of a [[Kama Sutra]] teacher in the film would damage her career.<ref name=DVD>{{cite video |people=Rekha |date=23 August 1984 |title=Utsav |medium=DVD |publisher=Odyssey Quest<!-- |access-date=8 May 2009--> |time=biographies |id=Unknown ID: ODX20324RD}}</ref> She was undeterred by the criticism. [[Todd McCarthy]] of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' described her as "exquisitely composed" in the part.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McCarthy |first1=Todd |author-link1=Todd McCarthy |title=Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love |url=https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/kama-sutra-a-tale-of-love-1200447209/ |access-date=13 May 2020 |work=Variety |date=21 October 1996 |language=en |archive-date=21 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921140342/https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/kama-sutra-a-tale-of-love-1200447209/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi'', an action film directed by Umesh Mehra, was a major financial success, becoming one of the highest-grossing Indian films of the year.<ref>{{cite web |website=Box Office India |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=202 |title=Box Office 1996 |access-date=24 December 2011 |archive-date=31 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731203414/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=202 |url-status=live}}</ref> It featured Rekha in her first negative role as Madam Maya, a vicious gangster woman running a secret business of illegal wrestling matches in the US, who, during the course of the film, romances the much younger [[Akshay Kumar]]. <!-- The film generated controversy due to several scenes involving Kumar and Rekha, including a steamy bath scene and a sequence in which the two "mudwrestled with extreme abandon" during one of the songs.-->Her portrayal earned her several awards, including the [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress]] and the [[Star Screen Award for Best Villain]]. In spite of the positive response to her performance from both fans and critics, she maintained on more than one occasion that she did not like herself in the film, noting that her work was not up to her own, personal standards.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=[[Filmfare]] |date=12 April 2010 |access-date=1 December 2011 |title=Rekha: Line of Beauty |author=Choudhary, Anuradha |url=http://www.filmfare.com/articles/rekha-line-of-beauty-676.html |quote=Like my performance in Khiladiyon Ke Khiladi was not up to my standards but you guys loved it and even gave me the Filmfare Award for it. |archive-date=7 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807051736/http://www.filmfare.com/articles/rekha-line-of-beauty-676.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://expressindia.com/screen/apr10/cover1.htm |work=[[Screen (magazine)|Screen]] |title=A woman of a million miracles |date=10 April 1999 |quote=My performance was appreciated by both my fans and my critics. I thought I looked jet-lagged and tired in the film. The people thought otherwise. They thought I looked ravishing. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990427073424/http://expressindia.com/screen/apr10/cover1.htm |archive-date=27 April 1999 |access-date=16 April 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Another controversial film at that time was ''[[Aastha: In the Prison of Spring]]'' (1997), where [[Basu Bhattacharya]], making the last film of his career, cast her as a housewife who moonlights as a prostitute. Once again, she faced some scrutiny by sectors of the press and the audience for the nature of the part and for some of the explicit love scenes in the film. She later reacted: "...people had a lot to say about my role... I don't have problems playing anything. I've reached a stage where I could do justice to any role that came my way. It could be role of a mother, a sister-in-law; negative, positive, sensational or anything."<ref name="at53">{{cite news |title=At 53, Rekha is still Bollywood's style diva |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |quote=Rekha, who can be arguably termed India's Greta Garbo... |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/At-53-Rekha-is-still-Bollywood-s-style-diva/Article1-251974.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216051120/http://www.hindustantimes.com/At-53-Rekha-is-still-Bollywood-s-style-diva/Article1-251974.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 February 2013 |date=10 October 2007 |access-date=22 September 2011}}</ref> Her performance earned her positive reviews and a [[Star Screen Award]] nomination,<ref>{{cite news |title=And the nominees for 1997 are... |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/Storyold/17821/ |access-date=8 November 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=9 January 1998 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022011419/https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/and-the-nominees-for-1997-are/ |url-status=live}}</ref> with ''[[India Today]]'' referring to her work as "her finest performance in years".<ref>{{cite news |title=Nominees for screen videocon awards |url=http://expressindia.com/screen/jan16/cover1.htm#2 |access-date=8 November 2020 |work=Screen |publisher=Express Group |date=16 January 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980513075724/http://expressindia.com/screen/jan16/cover1.htm#2 |archive-date=13 May 1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Basu Bhattacharya's Aastha, starring Rekha, Om Puri |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/your-week/story/19970131-film-review-of-basu-bhattacharya-aastha-starring-rekha-om-puri-831761-1997-01-31 |access-date=8 November 2020 |work=India Today |date=31 January 1997 |language=en |archive-date=20 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120130045/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/your-week/story/19970131-film-review-of-basu-bhattacharya-aastha-starring-rekha-om-puri-831761-1997-01-31 |url-status=live}}</ref> She next acted in ''[[Qila (film)|Qila]]'' (1998) and ''[[Mother (1999 film)|Mother]]'' (1999).<ref>{{cite news |title=A Shaky Fort |url=http://expressindia.com/screen/apr24/reviews1.htm |access-date=10 May 2020 |work=Screen |date=24 April 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980430113916/http://expressindia.com/screen/apr24/reviews1.htm |archive-date=30 April 1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chopra |first1=Anupama |author-link1=Anupama Chopra |title=Movie: Mother |url=http://www.india-today.com/moviemasala/archives/reviews/mother.html |access-date=10 May 2020 |work=India today |date=1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010508205249/http://www.india-today.com/moviemasala/archives/reviews/mother.html |archive-date=8 May 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=A MATHER TO REMEMBER |url=http://www.expressindia.com/screen/may08/cover2.htm |access-date=1 June 2020 |work=Screen |publisher=Indian Express Limited |date=8 May 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980523100108/http://www.expressindia.com/screen/may08/cover2.htm#mot |archive-date=23 May 1998}}</ref>

===Recognition for character roles (2000–2006)===
In the 2000s, Rekha appeared in relatively few movies. She started the decade with ''[[Bulandi (2000 film)|Bulandi]]'', directed by [[T. Rama Rao]]. The other was Khalid Muhammad's Zubeidaa, co starring Karisma Kapoor and Manoj Vajapayee playing the first wife Maharani Mandira Devi of the King.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Budhwar |first1=Amrita |title=BOO...LANDEE |url=http://www.india-today.com/moviemasala/archives/reviews/bulandi.html |access-date=10 May 2020 |work=India Today |date=2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010508201621/http://www.india-today.com/moviemasala/archives/reviews/bulandi.html |archive-date=8 May 2001}}</ref>
[[File:REKHA.jpg|thumb|left|Rekha in 2010|alt=A picture featuring Rekha as an infant in 2010.]]
In 2001, Rekha appeared in [[Rajkumar Santoshi]]'s feminist drama ''[[Lajja (2001 film)|Lajja]]'', an ensemble piece inspired by a true incident of a woman being raped in Bawanipur two years before.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]] |author=Ghosh, Debapriya |date=2 September 2001 |archive-date=5 December 2001 |access-date=7 January 2012 |url=http://www.the-week.com/21sep02/enter.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011205005628/http://www.the-week.com/21sep02/enter.htm |title=Hunted women}}</ref> The film follows the journey of a runaway wife ([[Manisha Koirala]]) and unfolds her story in three main chapters, each one presenting the story of a woman at whose place she stops. Rekha was the protagonist of the final chapter, around which the film's inspiration revolves, playing Ramdulari, an oppressed [[Dalit]] village woman and social activist who becomes a victim of gangrape. Speaking of the film, Rekha commented, "I am Lajja and Lajja is me".<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=30 August 2001 |title=Movie on anguish of women |access-date=12 December 2011 |url=http://hindu.com/2001/08/30/stories/14302181.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716025138/http://hindu.com/2001/08/30/stories/14302181.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 July 2012 |author=Kannan, K. |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> Highly praised for her portrayal, she received several nominations for her work, including the [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress|Filmfare Award]] and the [[IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress|International Indian Film Academy Award]] (IIFA) for Best Supporting Actress.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/globalising-indian-cinema/article27840302.ece |title='Globalising' Indian cinema |date=6 April 2002 |work=The Hindu |last=Kumar |first=S. R. Ashok |access-date=16 April 2021 |archive-date=16 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416012516/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/globalising-indian-cinema/article27840302.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Taran Adarsh]] wrote that "it is Rekha who walks away with the glory, delivering one of the finest performances the Indian screen has seen in the recent times."<ref>{{cite web |author=Adarsh, Taran |title=Lajja review |url=http://indiafm.com/movies/review/6794/index.html |date=29 August 2001 |publisher=[[indiaFM]] |access-date=4 December 2007 |archive-date=18 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118140940/http://www.indiafm.com/movies/review/6794/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Improbable theme with commercial props |author=Kaushik, Divya |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010923/spectrum/main5.htm |date=23 September 2001 |access-date=12 December 2011 |newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |archive-date=13 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913043514/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010923/spectrum/main5.htm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Raheja |first1=Dinesh |author-link1=Dinesh Raheja |title=Lajja — Unabashedly Loud |url=http://movies.thenewspapertoday.com/reviews/reviewlajja.shtml |access-date=10 May 2020 |work=India Today |date=2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011109022226/http://movies.thenewspapertoday.com/reviews/reviewlajja.shtml |archive-date=9 November 2001}}</ref>

<!--.In that same year she acted alongside [[Karisma Kapoor]] in [[Shyam Benegal]]'s ''[[Zubeidaa]]''. Based on the true story of actress [[Zubeida Begum]], the mother of journalist and writer [[Khalid Mohamed]], the film follows her story as she becomes the second wife of Maharaja of Udaipur. Rekha played the first wife of Maharaja, princess Mandira Devi. Benegal, with whom Rekha had previously worked in ''Kalyug'', said he had her in mind for the part when the script was conducted.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Tribune |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010211/spectrum/scene.htm |title=Classy Benegal |date=11 February 2001 |access-date=25 December 2011 |author=Maheshwari, Belu}}</ref> She next starred alongside [[Preity Zinta]] in [[Kundan Shah]]'s ''[[Dil Hai Tumhaara]]'', playing the role of Sarita, a betrayed woman who takes under her custody her husband's illegitimate daughter after his death.

In [[Ramgopal Varma]]'s horror film ''[[Bhoot (film)|Bhoot]]'', she played a psychic clairvoyant.-->
In [[Rakesh Roshan]]'s science-fiction film ''[[Koi... Mil Gaya]]'', Rekha played Sonia Mehra, a single mother to a [[Developmental disability|developmentally disabled]] young man, played by [[Hrithik Roshan]]. The movie was a financial and critical success and became the most popular film of the year; it won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Film]], among others.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=209&catName=MjAwMw== |title=Box Office 2003 |website=Box Office India |access-date=10 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525225820/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=209&catName=MjAwMw== |archive-date=25 May 2012}}</ref> Rekha received another Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Filmfare for her performance, which [[Khalid Mohamed]] described as "astutely restrained".<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Mid-Day]] |author=Mohamed, Khalid |title=Now~ that's entertainment |date=10 August 2003 |access-date=10 December 2011 |url=http://www.mid-day.com/columns/2003/aug/60818.htm |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022011419/https://www.mid-day.com/columns/2003/aug/60818.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2005, Rekha guest starred in an item number in connection with the song "Kaisi Paheli Zindagani", in [[Pradeep Sarkar]]'s "[[Parineeta (2005 film)|Parineeta]]". In ''[[Bachke Rehna Re Baba]]'' (2005), Rekha played a con woman who, along with her niece, uses one scheme to rob men of their property. The film was a major critical failure.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |title=Some cheer, some oomph, some yawn, some action... |author=Us Salam, Ziya |url=http://www.hindu.com/lf/2005/06/19/stories/2005061907910200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318152844/http://www.hindu.com/lf/2005/06/19/stories/2005061907910200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 March 2007 |date=19 June 2001 |access-date=10 December 2011 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> ''[[Mid-Day]]'' remarked, "why Rekha chose to sign this film is a wonder," noting that she is "riddled with bad dialogue, terrible cakey makeup and tawdry styling".<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Mid-Day]] |title=Film review: Bachke Rehna Re Baba |date=19 June 2005 |access-date=10 December 2011 |url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2005/jun/111936.htm}}</ref> This was followed in 2006 by ''[[Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana]]'', a poorly received sex comedy about four female friends and their personal troubles. In a scathing review, Indu Mirani noted that "Rekha hams like she was never going to do another film."<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |author=Mirani, Indu |title=Lopsided worldview |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_lopsided-worldview_1072868 |date=5 January 2007 |access-date=10 December 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022011418/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-lopsided-worldview-1072868 |url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2007 article by ''[[Daily News and Analysis]]'', critic Deepa Gahlot directed an advice to Rekha: "Please pick movies with care, one more like ''Bach Ke Rehna Re Baba'' and ''Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamana'' and the diva status is under serious threat."<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |author=Gahlot, Deepa |title=We say so |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_we-say-so_1073075 |date=6 January 2007 |access-date=10 December 2011 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022011419/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-we-say-so-1073075 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2006, she reprised the role of Sonia Mehra in ''[[Krrish]]'', [[Rakesh Roshan]]'s sequel to ''Koi... Mil Gaya''. In this superhero feature, the story moves 20 years forward and focuses on the character of Sonia's grandson Krishna (played again by Hrithik Roshan), whom she has brought up single-handedly after the death of her son Rohit, and who turns out to have supernatural powers. ''Krrish'' became the second-highest grossing picture of the year and, like its prequel, was declared a blockbuster.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=212&catName=MjAwNg== |title=Box Office 2006 |website=Box Office India |access-date=10 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014132118/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=212&catName=MjAwNg%3D%3D |archive-date=14 October 2013}}</ref> It received mostly positive notices from critics, and Rekha's work earned her another Filmfare nomination in the supporting category. Ronnie Scheib from ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' noted her for bringing "depth to her role as the nurturing grandmother".<ref>{{cite journal |journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117931032?refcatid=31 |date=7 July 2006 |access-date=9 December 2011 |title=Krrish |author=Scheib, Ronnie |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022011419/https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/krrish-1200514939/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Occasional work; hiatus (2007–present) ===
[[File:Rekha in 2019.jpg|thumb|Rekha in 2019]]
In 2007, she once again portrayed a courtesan in [[Goutam Ghose]]'s ''[[Yatra (2007 film)|Yatra]]''. Unlike the initial success she experienced in playing such roles in the early stages of her career, this time the film failed to do well. In 2010, Rekha was awarded the [[Padma Shri]], the 4th highest civilian award given by the [[Government of India]].

Rekha starred in the 2010 film ''[[Sadiyaan]]'' alongside [[Hema Malini]] and [[Rishi Kapoor]]. The film marked the debut of [[Shatrughan Sinha]]'s son [[Luv Sinha]]. The film failed to do well at the box office.

In 2014, Rekha was working on [[Abhishek Kapoor]]'s ''[[Fitoor]]'', but left the film for unknown reasons and later [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]] was signed as her replacement. In 2014 she also worked in ''[[Super Nani]]'' released on Diwali (24 October). Super Nani was a family drama, in which the grandmother (Rekha) is unappreciated by her children and husband, [[Randhir Kapoor]]. Her grandson, [[Sharman Joshi]] convinces her to change. The grandmother 'transforms' herself into a glamorous model.

In 2015, she appeared in R. Balki's [[Shamitabh]], playing herself.

==Personal life and off-screen work==
In 1990, Rekha married [[Delhi]]-based industrialist Mukesh Aggarwal. Aggarwal was a self-made entrepreneur and owner of the kitchenware brand Hotline.{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=}} He is believed to have had a long-standing struggle with depression and according to Rekha's biographers, she only found out about his mental health after marriage. He was introduced to Rekha through a mutual friend and fashion designer Bina Ramani who termed him Rekha's 'crazy fan'.{{sfn|Usman|2016|p=}} Their marriage took place on 4 March 1990, and a few months later—while she was in London—he died by suicide, after several previous attempts, leaving a note, "Don't blame anyone".<ref>{{cite journal |journal=[[Asiaweek]] |publisher=Asiaweek Ltd. |year=1990 |volume=16 |title=Fatal Attraction}}</ref> She was pilloried by the press at that time, a period which one journalist termed as "the deepest trough in her life."<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HixlAAAAMAAJ |title=The hundred luminaries of Hindi cinema |publisher=India Book House Publishers |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-7508-007-2 |page=113 |author1=Dinesh Raheja |author2=Jitendra Kothari |access-date=3 December 2011 |author1-link=Dinesh Raheja |archive-date=8 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608182118/http://books.google.com/books?id=HixlAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Bhawana Somaaya]] observed the period speaking of "a strong anti-wave against the actress — some called her a witch, some a murderess," but added that soon "Rekha came out of the eclipse once again unblemished!"<ref>{{cite book |last=Somaaya |first=Bhawana |author-link=Bhawana Somaaya |title=Salaam Bollywood : the pain and the passion |publisher=Spantech & Lancer Spectech USA Distributed in India by English Editions Publishers & Distributors |location=South Godston Hartford, WI Mumbai |year=2000 |isbn=978-1-897829-54-7 |page=196}}</ref>

She was rumoured to have been married to actor [[Vinod Mehra]] in 1973, but in a 2004 television interview with [[Simi Garewal]] she denied being married to Mehra referring to him as a "well-wisher". Rekha currently lives in her [[Bandra]] home in [[Mumbai]].<ref name="Simi">{{cite news |title=Rekha's personal life via Simi Garewal |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-06-03/news-interviews/27147083_1_rekha-silence-private-life |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418230827/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-06-03/news-interviews/27147083_1_rekha-silence-private-life |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 April 2012 |access-date=19 July 2007 |first1=Ruchika |last1=Mehta |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=3 June 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |publisher=[[Rediff]] |agency=rediff.com Entertainment Bureau |title=Rekha on Rekha |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/jun/07rekha.htm |access-date=4 June 2011 |date=7 June 2004 |archive-date=1 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301145230/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/jun/07rekha.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

She was also famously rumoured to have been in a relationship with [[Amitabh Bachchan]], who was married, after they first acted together in ''[[Do Anjaane]]'', and later in ''[[Silsila (1981 film)|Silsila]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/gossip/story/amitabh-rekha-untold-love-story-affair-1061436-2017-10-10 |title=Amitabh-Rekha's untold love story: 10 lesser-known things about their relationship |date=10 October 2017 |website=India Today |language=en |access-date=14 June 2019 |archive-date=1 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001211308/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/gossip/story/amitabh-rekha-untold-love-story-affair-1061436-2017-10-10 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/gossip/story/happy-birthday-rekha-amitabh-bachchan-affair-controvesies-1061431-2017-10-10 |title=Happy Birthday Rekha: Sindoor to rumoured affair with Amitabh Bachchan, 5 shocking controversies from her life |date=10 October 2017 |website=India Today |language=en |access-date=14 June 2019 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022025716/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/gossip/story/happy-birthday-rekha-amitabh-bachchan-affair-controvesies-1061431-2017-10-10 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-rekha-s-biography-reveals-shocking-details-about-her-relationship-with-amitabh-bachchan-and-jaya-bachchan-2252221 |title=Rekha's biography reveals shocking details about her relationship with Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan! |date=5 September 2016 |website=DNA India |language=en |access-date=14 June 2019 |archive-date=10 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810024959/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-rekha-s-biography-reveals-shocking-details-about-her-relationship-with-amitabh-bachchan-and-jaya-bachchan-2252221 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Critics noted Rekha for having worked hard to perfect her Hindi and acting, and media reporters often discussed how 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 1983, her diet and yoga practice were published in a book called "Rekha's Mind and Body Temple".<ref name="at55">{{cite news |date=9 October 2009 |title=At 55, Rekha still an engima, an icon |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/29625/at-55-rekha-still-engima.html |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]] |access-date=27 February 2011 |archive-date=28 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628185521/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/29625/at-55-rekha-still-engima.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Rekha has no children.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lady superstar Rekha regrets not having children. Here is what she said |url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/entertainment/lady-superstar-rekha-regrets-not-having-children-here-is-what-she-said-pa08p2 |access-date=3 May 2021 |work=[[Asianet News]] |archive-date=3 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503043515/https://newsable.asianetnews.com/entertainment/lady-superstar-rekha-regrets-not-having-children-here-is-what-she-said-pa08p2 |url-status=live}}</ref> She is a self-proclaimed [[Lacto-ovo vegetarianism|eggetarian]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rekha: Love Is In My DNA |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/rekha-love-is-in-my-dna-677186 |access-date=5 January 2023 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref>

In 2012, Rekha was nominated as a [[Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha|Member of Parliament]] to the [[Rajya Sabha]], the upper house of the bicameral [[Parliament of India]].<ref name="RSnom">{{cite news |title=Sachin Tendulkar, Rekha nominated to Rajya Sabha |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sachin-tendulkar-rekha-nominated-to-rajya-sabha/articleshow/12883036.cms |access-date=11 November 2023 |work=The Times of India |agency=PTI |date=27 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rekha keeps first day at Rajya Sabha short |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Rekha-keeps-first-day-at-Rajya-Sabha-short/articleshow/13147170.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021115203/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-15/india/31710640_1_rekha-rajya-sabha-oath-today |url-status=live |archive-date=21 October 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=15 May 2012}}</ref> She was appointed to the position by [[President of India|President]] [[Pratibha Patil]] on the recommendation of [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Manmohan Singh]] for her contribution in the field of art (in accordance with article 80 of the [[Constitution of India]] which allows the President to nominate 12 members to the House for their expertise in specific fields).<ref name="RSnom"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Indian actress Rekha takes parliament oath |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-18068759 |access-date=12 November 2023 |work=BBC News |date=15 May 2012}}</ref> Her tenure started on 27 April 2012 and ended on the same day in 2018.<ref name="DCterm">{{cite news |last1=Suares |first1=Coreena |title=Rekha, Sachin Tendulkar no role models when in Parliament |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/270418/rekha-sachin-tendulkar-are-no-role-models-when-in-parliament.html |access-date=12 November 2023 |work=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |date=27 April 2018}}</ref> She took part in the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution committee, but, like with other nominated members, her six-year term concluded amidst criticism for her low attendance as well as minimal participation<!-- marked by a lack of bills introduced or questions raised  --> in the House.<ref name="DCterm"/> This concern had been previously raised with respect to Rekha and other nominated members during their incumbency, but several elected members came to their defense, asserting that the active presence of those nominated to the House was not obligatory and that they could contribute in other ways through their position.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Parsai |first1=Gargi |title=Sachin, Rekha absence raised in Rajya Sabha |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/P.-Rajeeve-of-CPI-M-raises-question-over-absence-of-Sachin-Tendulkar-and-Rekha-from-Rajya-Sabha/article60344074.ece |access-date=11 November 2023 |work=The Hindu |date=8 August 2014 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Were Rekha and Sachin arm-twisted into accepting Rajya Sabha membership? |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rekha-sachin-tendulkar-rajya-sabha-absent-nominated-mp-parliament-968843-2017-03-31 |access-date=12 November 2023 |work=India Today |date=31 March 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

==Image and artistry==
{{quote box
 | quote  = "There has never been anyone quite like Rekha. Tempestuous woman. Troublemaker extraordinary. A woman once known, never quite forgotten. And an accomplished actress who can often startle you with a truly great performance."
 | source =&nbsp;—''[[The Illustrated Weekly of India]]'' on Rekha, 1986<ref>{{cite news |last1=Karpan |first1=Robin |last2=Karpan |first2=Arlene |title=Bombay is India's Hollywood |work=Regina Leader-Post |date=15 March 1986 |page=20}}</ref>
 | align  = left
 | width  = 30%
}}
[[File:Rekha04.jpg|thumb|right|Rekha in 2013]]
Rekha's status in the film industry has been discussed in light of her change over the years, screen persona, and performances. Writing for ''The Tribune'', Mukesh Khosla was impressed  with her transformation from "the giggling village belle in ''Saawan Bhadon'' to one of country's reigning actresses".<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |author=Khosla, Mukesh |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020310/spectrum/tv.htm |title=Celebrating womanhood |date=10 March 2002 |access-date=25 December 2011 |archive-date=30 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130011508/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020310/spectrum/tv.htm |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://imsports.rediff.com/millenni/rauf2.htm |title=The Millennium Special |access-date=4 December 2007 |author=Ahmed, Rauf |work=[[Rediff.com]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808094603/http://imsports.rediff.com/millenni/rauf2.htm |archive-date=8 August 2011}}</ref> ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' described her physical change and loss of weight as "one of cinema's and perhaps
real life's most dramatic transformations," arguing that "Rekha morphed from an overweight, dark ordinary girl into a glamorous and beautiful enigma".<ref name="HT11">{{cite news |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |title=70's Seductresses |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/specials/slideshows/70s/70-4.htm |access-date=22 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109183809/http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/specials/slideshows/70s/70-4.htm |archive-date=9 January 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> According to critic Omar Qureshi, "the term diva (in India) was coined for Rekha."<ref name="at55"/> [[Mira Nair]], who directed Rekha in ''Kama Sutra'' (1997), likens her to a "[[Jamini Roy]] painting" and says, "Like [[Marilyn Monroe]] is shorthand for sex, Rekha is shorthand for charisma". Filmmaker [[Sanjay Leela Bhansali]] labels her the "last of the great stars".<ref name="IndiaToday2003"/>

Respected for her acting prowess, Rekha has been described by critics as one of Hindi cinema's finest actresses. ''[[Filmfare]]'' described her acting style, writing that in terms of "style, sexiness or sheer onscreen presence, she's unparalleled" and arguing that she is "a fierce, raw, flinty performer with unbridled honesty. Her acting isn't gimmicky."<ref>{{cite journal |journal=[[Filmfare]] |date=14 April 2010 |access-date=20 September 2011 |title=Women we love Part 3/7 |url=http://www.filmfare.com/articles/women-we-love-part-37-689.html |archive-date=25 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325055906/http://www.filmfare.com/articles/women-we-love-part-37-689.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Critic [[Khalid Mohamed]] commends her technical control: "She knows how to give and to what degree. She has all that it takes to be a director. There is a kind of vulnerability in her control. She explores when she is acting."<ref>{{cite journal |title=The enigma called Rekha |author=Ramchandani, Vinita |date=20 December 1998 |magazine=[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]]<!-- |access-date=1 December 2011-->}}</ref> [[Shyam Benegal]], who directed her in two movies, believes she is "a director's actress".<ref name="IndiaToday2003">{{cite journal |author=Chopra, Anupama |journal=India Today |date=5 May 2003 |access-date=1 January 2012 |title=Temptress. Enchantress. Empress. Rekha |url=http://archives.digitaltoday.in/indiatoday/20030505/profile.html |archive-date=16 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416181637/http://archives.digitaltoday.in/indiatoday/20030505/profile.html |url-status=live}}</ref> M.L. Dhawan from ''[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]'' wrote, "Rekha's flowering as an actress post ''Ghar'' and ''Khubsoorat'' climaxed in [...] ''Umrao Jaan''. As a tragic courtesan she gave a performance of quality artistry, adopting a much-admired huskiness and despondency of tone. Rekha communicated much with a delicately raised eyebrow".<ref>{{cite news |author=Dhawan, M.L. |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20071209/spectrum/main6.htm |title=Queens of hearts |date=9 December 2007 |access-date=22 September 2011 |newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024034014/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20071209/spectrum/main6.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, ''Filmfare'' included two of her performances—from ''[[Khubsoorat]]'' (1980) and ''[[Umrao Jaan (1981 film)|Umrao Jaan]]'' (1981)—in their list of "80 Iconic Performances".<ref>{{cite news |work=[[Filmfare]] |date=8 June 2010 |access-date=4 December 2011 |title=80 Iconic Performances |url=http://www.filmfare.com/articles/80-iconic-performances-510-955.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110407062344/https://www.filmfare.com/articles/80-iconic-performances-510-955.html |archive-date=7 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Filmfare - 80 Iconic Performances 8/10 |url=http://www.filmfare.com/articles/80-iconic-performances-810-989.html |access-date=30 July 2020 |work=Filmfare |date=8 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104033800/http://www.filmfare.com/articles/80-iconic-performances-810-989.html |archive-date=4 November 2010}}</ref> Her work in the latter was included on ''[[Forbes India]]''{{'}}s list of "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema".<ref name="Forbes">{{cite journal |last=Prasad |first=Shishir |author2=Ramnath, N.S |author3=Mitter, Sohini |date=27 April 2013 |title=25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema |journal=[[Forbes India]] |publisher=Network 18 |url=http://forbesindia.com/article/100-years-of-indian-cinema/25-greatest-acting-performances-of-indian-cinema/35125/0 |access-date=19 April 2015 |archive-date=28 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028052937/http://forbesindia.com/article/100-years-of-indian-cinema/25-greatest-acting-performances-of-indian-cinema/35125/0 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2011, [[Rediff]] listed her as the ninth-greatest Indian actress of all time, noting, "It's hard not to be bowled over by Rekha's longevity, or her ability to reinvent herself... the actress took on a man's job and did it stunningly well, holding her own against all the top actors and being remembered despite them."<ref>{{cite web |title=Readers Choice: The Greatest Actresses of all time |work=Rediff.com |author=Sen, Raja |access-date=20 September 2011 |date=29 June 2011 |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-greatest-actresses-of-all-time/20110629.htm |archive-date=26 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926020746/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-greatest-actresses-of-all-time/20110629.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, [[Rajeev Masand]] listed her in a similar list by ''[[India Today]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Masand |first1=Rajeev |author1-link=Rajeev Masand |title=The eyes have it: Hindi cinema's best actresses |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/the-eyes-have-it-hindi-cinemas-best-actresses-2320786-2023-01-12 |access-date=17 January 2023 |work=India Today |date=12 January 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

Despite appreciation toward achievements in her professional career, Rekha's public image has often been interwoven in the media with speculations about her personal life and relationships. Known for her tendency to shun publicity, Rekha has gained a reputation for being mysterious and reclusive, which drew media comparisons to [[Greta Garbo]].<ref name="at55"/><ref name="at53"/> ''Hindustan Times'' argues that Rekha has shrouded "her life in an intriguing Garbo-like mystery".<ref name="HT11"/> According to [[Rediff]], "Rekha's reclusive nature has gone a long way towards building an aura of mystery around her."<ref>{{cite web |title=Ravishing Rekha |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/oct/10slide5.htm |work=Rediff.com |date=10 October 2008 |access-date=22 September 2011 |archive-date=12 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112014841/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/oct/10slide5.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Rekha rarely gives interviews, and she mostly avoids parties and events. Asked once about her mysterious image, she denied several times trying to live up to this image, asserting it is press-created: "What mystery? The media is the one that creates this image. It's just that I am basically shy by nature, an introvert and fiercely private."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=189003 |date=8 June 2011 |access-date=22 September 2011 |title=Rekha: A Timeless Enigma, Full of Grace |newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]] |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022025731/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-189003 |url-status=live}}</ref> Film journalist [[Anupama Chopra]], who visited Rekha in 2003, wrote that while tabloids had portrayed her as "a reclusive woman twisted bitter by lecherous men and loneliness", in reality Rekha was "none of these", describing her as "chatty and curious, excited and energetic, cheerful and almost illegally optimistic".<ref name="IndiaToday2003"/>

She was named the reigning Queen of Indian Cinema at the [[2012 IIFA Awards]] held in Singapore, where she was given the "Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema" award, the function's Lifetime Achievement Award.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emirates247.com/news-in-images/rekha-wins-lifetime-achievement-award-2012-06-10-1.462273 |title=Rekha wins Lifetime Achievement Award |date=10 June 2012 |access-date=15 August 2012 |archive-date=8 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808035257/http://www.emirates247.com/news-in-images/rekha-wins-lifetime-achievement-award-2012-06-10-1.462273 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1999, the columnist-turned-author [[Mohan Deep]] published the first biography about her, titled ''[[Eurekha!: The Intimate Life Story of Rekha]]'' (1999).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000227/spectrum/main4.htm |title=Tale of two authors, three books |last=Gangadhar |first=V. |date=27 February 2000 |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-date=1 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101011624/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000227/spectrum/main4.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> Another biography was released by the journalist [[Yasser Usman]] in 2016 under the title of ''[[Rekha: The Untold Story]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://scroll.in/reel/815942/rekha-was-honest-about-everything-and-bollywood-tried-to-tame-her-biographer-yasser-usman |title='Rekha was honest about everything and Bollywood tried to tame her': biographer Yasser Usman |last=Ramnath |first=Nandini |date=8 September 2016 |website=[[Scroll.in]] |access-date=20 February 2021 |archive-date=17 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217084335/https://scroll.in/reel/815942/rekha-was-honest-about-everything-and-bollywood-tried-to-tame-her-biographer-yasser-usman |url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Bollywood}}
* [[Rekha filmography]]
* [[List of Indian film actresses]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin|2}}
* {{cite book |last1=Deep |first1=Mohan |author-link1=Mohan Deep |title=[[Eurekha!|Eurekha!: The Intimate Life Story of Rekha]] |publisher=Shivani Publications |year=1999 |isbn=978-81-90107-90-7}}
* {{cite book |last1=Bumiller |first1=Elisabeth |author-link=Elisabeth Bumiller |title=May You Be the Mother of a Hundred Sons |url=https://archive.org/details/mayyoubemotherof00bumi |url-access=registration |date=1 June 1991 |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |isbn=978-0-14-015671-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/mayyoubemotherof00bumi/page/n205 185]}}
* {{cite book |last1=Chaudhuri |first1=Diptakirti |title=Bollybook: The Big Book of Hindi Movie Trivia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gq-CBAAAQBAJ |date=2014 |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-93-5118-799-8 |language=en |access-date=1 November 2020 |archive-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420025038/https://books.google.com/books?id=gq-CBAAAQBAJ |url-status=live}}
* {{cite book |last1=Dasgupta |first1=Rohit K. |last2=Datta |first2=Sangeeta |author-link1=Rohit K. Dasgupta |title=100 Essential Indian Films |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YT9xDwAAQBAJ |date=2018 |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]] |isbn=978-1-4422-7799-1 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |title=Yash Chopra: Fifty Years in Indian Cinema |title-link=Yash Chopra (book) |last=Dwyer |first=Rachel |author-link=Rachel Dwyer |date=25 July 2019 |orig-date=2002 |location=London, United Kingdom |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] |isbn=978-1-83902-131-2 |ref={{sfnref|Dwyer|2019b}}}}
* {{cite book |last1=Dwyer |first1=Rachel |title=100 Bollywood Films |date=25 July 2019 |orig-date=2005 |url=https://archive.org/details/100bollywoodfilm00dwye |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] |isbn=978-81-7436-433-3 |language=en |ref={{sfnref|Dwyer|2019a}}}}
* {{cite book |last1=Gahlot |first1=Deepa |author-link1=Deepa Gahlot |title=Sheroes: 25 Daring Women of Bollywood |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u9_YjgEACAAJ |date=2015 |publisher=Westland Publication |isbn=978-93-85152-74-0 |pages=29–34 |language=en |access-date=1 November 2020 |archive-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420025009/https://books.google.com/books?id=u9_YjgEACAAJ |url-status=live}}
* {{cite book |last=Ganti |first=Tejaswini |author-link=Tejaswini Ganti |title=Bollywood: A Guidebook to Popular Hindi Cinema |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DIVlw5AzQTgC&pg=PA133 |year=2004 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-0-415-28853-8 |access-date=16 October 2016 |archive-date=10 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010235326/https://books.google.com/books?id=DIVlw5AzQTgC&pg=PA133 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite book |last=Garga |first=Bhagwan Das |author-link=Bhagwan Das Garga |date=1996 |title=So Many Cinemas: The Motion Picture in India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wXRZAAAAMAAJ |publisher=Eminence Designs |isbn=978-81-90060-21-9 |access-date=27 April 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022025717/https://www.google.co.id/books/edition/So_Many_Cinemas/wXRZAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live}}
* {{cite book |last1=Gulzar |last2=Nihalani |first2=Govind |last3=Chatterjee |first3=Saibal |author-link1=Gulzar |author-link2=Govind Nihalani |author-link3=Saibal Chatterjee |title=Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema |title-link=Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema |date=26 February 2003 |publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]] |isbn=978-81-7991-066-5 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last1=K. Jha |first1=Subhash |last2=Bachchan |first2=Amitabh |author-link1=Subhash K. Jha |author-link2=Amitabh Bachchan |title=The Essential Guide to Bollywood |url=https://archive.org/details/essentialguideto00jhas |date=2005 |publisher=Lustre Press |isbn=978-81-7436-378-7 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last1=Rajadhyaksha |first1=Ashish |last2=Willemen |first2=Paul |title=Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema |date=1999 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-94325-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopaediaofi0000raja |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last1=Ray |first1=Bibekananda |title=Conscience of The Race |date=2005 |publisher=[[Publications Division (India)|Publication Division]] |isbn=978-81-230-2661-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/CONSCIENCEOFTHERACEINDIASOFFBEATCINEMA/page/n179/mode/2up |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last1=Thoraval |first1=Yves |title=The Cinemas of India |date=2000 |publisher=Macmillan India |isbn=978-0-333-93410-4 |url=https://archive.org/details/cinemasofindia0000thor |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last1=Usman |first1=Yasser |author-link=Yasser Usman |title=Rekha: The Untold Story |title-link=Rekha: The Untold Story |date=24 August 2016 |publisher=[[Juggernaut Books]] |isbn=978-81-93284-18-6 |location=New Delhi, India |language=en}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2003/may/17dinesh.htm |title=Rekha: The divine diva |author=Raheja, Dinesh |work=[[Rediff.com]] |date=17 May 2003 |access-date=27 February 2011}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/oct/10rek.htm |title=An enigma called Rekha |work=Rediff.com |author=Verma, Sukanya |access-date=20 July 2007 |date=10 October 2001}}.
*{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/The-One-and-only-Rekha/articleshow/14075446.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105144516/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-06-25/news-interviews/27323730_1_rekha-ultimate-diva-pleats |url-status=live |archive-date=5 November 2012 |title=The One and only... Rekha |author=Joshi, Meera |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=25 June 2002 |access-date=20 July 2001}}
*{{cite news |url=http://www.mid-day.com/specials/2009/oct/181009-enigma-at-55-woman-bollywood-rekha-play-mumbai.htm |title=Enigma at 55 |author=Raheja, Dinesh |newspaper=[[Mid-Day]] |date=18 October 2009 |access-date=14 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308143746/http://www.mid-day.com/specials/2009/oct/181009-enigma-at-55-woman-bollywood-rekha-play-mumbai.htm |archive-date=8 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}
*{{cite news |date=9 October 2009 |title=At 55, Rekha still an engima, an icon |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/29625/at-55-rekha-still-engima.html |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]] |access-date=27 February 2011}}
*{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |title=Ever gorgeous |date=6 October 2010 |access-date=27 February 2011 |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/10/16/stories/2010101650330700.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629033342/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/10/16/stories/2010101650330700.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2011 |author=Das Gupta, Ranjan |location=Chennai, India}}
*{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]; Spectrum |title=Queen bee – The legend of Rekha |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050424/spectrum/main1.htm |date=24 April 2004 |access-date=8 September 2011 |author=Gangadhar, V.}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.rekhathediva.com |title=Rekha: The Journey of a Woman |author=Sharma, Amit |date=10 October 2006 |access-date=10 October 2007}}
*{{cite news |last1=Usman |first1=Yasser |title=Rekha at 70: Bollywood's timeless icon |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c99vj1n7297o |access-date=10 October 2024 |work=BBC |date=10 October 2024}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|d=Q465826|c=Category:Rekha|q=Rekha|b=no|wikt=no|s=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no|n=no}}
* {{IMDb name|name=Rekha|id=0004334}}
* {{Bollywood Hungama person|rekha}}

{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}{{ANR National Award}}{{National Film Award for Best Actress}}
{{FilmfareBestActressAward}}
{{FilmfareBestSupportingActressAward}}
{{ScreenAwardBestActorNegativeRole}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rekha}}
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Telugu actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Actresses from Chennai]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha]]
[[Category:Best Actress National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]
[[Category:Women members of the Rajya Sabha]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards winners]]
[[Category:Screen Awards winners]]
[[Category:Telugu people]]
[[Category:Tamil people]]