Rekha is a considered to be the original diva of Bollywood. The National Film Award-winning Indian actress has appeared in various Bollywood films. Her image has been that of a sexy Indian beauty, who refuses to be cowed down by age.
Rekha hit the silver screen as a child artist in `Rangula Ratnam` a Telegu movie in 1966. Though she appeared in many Hindi movies like ` Kahani Kismat ki`, `Raam Pur Ka Lakshman` and `Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaaya`, it was the breakthrough role in Muqaddar ka Sikandar` opposite Amithabh Bacchan that exposed her to stardom.
She transformed herself from a plump girl to a sexy siren and mastered Hindi in just three months and dancing in a month. Her major breakthroughs roles were in `Umrao Jaan` and `Silsila`. The lady reigned Bollywood for almost a decade amidst stiff competition. She was starred opposite Amitabh Bacchan for almost twenty movies.
Then, she drifted off to more serious roles like in `Khoon Bari Maang`, `Koobsoorath`, `UmraoJaan`, `Muje Insaaf Chaayiye`. Rekha took up a villainous role in `Khiladiyon Ka Kiladhi. She further broke the mound of just being featured in commercial movies by taking up roles in art films like ` Utsav`, `Basera` and `Injaazat`.
Rekha has acted in over 180 films in a career that has spanned 40 years. Taking part in both Indian mainstream and art cinema, known in India as parallel cinema, she has achieved commercial success, as well as critical praise for her performances throughout the years. Recently, Rekha has been signed on by director Raj Kanwar for his film Sadiyaan , in which she is paired opposite Rishi Kapoor.