Biography

Rekha (born Bhanurekha Ganesan; October 10, 1954) is an Indian actress who has appeared in over 180 films, primarily in Hindi cinema. After early appearances as a child artist in Telugu films and her lead debut in the Kannada film *Operation Jackpotnalli C.I.D 999* (1969), she entered Hindi cinema as the lead in *Sawan Bhadon* (1970). Her credits in the 1970s include *Ghar* (1978) and *Muqaddar Ka Sikandar* (1978). In 1980, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for the comedy *Khubsoorat*. She received the National Film Award for Best Actress for portraying the titular role in *Umrao Jaan* (1981). Her film credits from this period also include *Silsila* (1981), *Kalyug* (1981), *Utsav* (1984), *Ijaazat* (1987), and *Khoon Bhari Maang* (1988), for which she won her second Filmfare Award for Best Actress. In later years, she appeared in titles including *Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi* (1996), *Aastha: In the Prison of Spring* (1997), *Zubeidaa* (2001), *Lajja* (2001), *Koi... Mil Gaya* (2003), and *Krrish* (2006).