Rekha
One of the finest actresses in Hindi cinema
Original Name: Bhanurekha Ganesan
Date of Birth: October 10, 1954
Bhanurekha Ganesan, famous by her stage name Rekha, is an Indian actress who has mainly appeared in Hindi films. Noted for her versatility and acknowledged as one of the evergreen hottest, sexiest & finest actresses in Bollywood (Hindi cinema).
Rekha started her career in 1966 as a child actress (credited as Baby Bhanurekha) in the Telugu movie Rangula Ratnam. Rekha made her debut as heroine in the successful Kannada film Goa dalli CID 999 with Rajkumar in 1969.
Rekha debut as a leading actress in hindi cinema with Sawan Bhadon (1970). Despite the success of several of her early films, she was often panned for her looks and it was not until the mid-to-late 1970s that she got recognition as an actress. Since the late 1970s, after undertaking a physical makeover, she has been featured as a sex symbol in the Indian media.
Rekha has acted in over 180 films in a career across over 40 years. During her career, she has often played strong female characters and, apart from mainstream cinema, appeared in ‘arthouse’ films, known in India as parallel cinema.
Rekha has won three Filmfare Awards, two for Best Actress and one for Best Supporting Actress, for her roles in Khubsoorat (1980), Khoon Bhari Maang (1988) and Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), correspondingly. Her portrayal of a classical courtesan in Umrao Jaan (1981) won her the National Film Award for Best Actress.
Rekha was referred to as the reigning Queen of Indian Cinema at the 2012 IIFA Awards held in Singapore, where she was given the "Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema (Female)" award, also awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Rekha has also been selected as a Rajya Sabha (upper house of the Parliament of India) member. She currently is the member of the Rajya Sabha (May 2012).
For more information about Rekha's life and her career visit Rekha @ wikipedia
