She is beautiful, she is charismatic and every time she performed on-screen, she left us in awe of her. Rekha is one of the most graceful actors that the Indian cinema has ever seen. She started her career as a child artist at the age of 12 in the Telugu film Rangula Ratnam (1966). She got her first breakthrough role as a lead actress in Sawan Bhadon (1970) opposite Navin Nischol. The film was declared hit and Rekha became a star overnight. Despite her new-found stardom, the Bollywood diva was criticized for her colour as well as for her Hindi. But her screen presence and acting silenced everyone. Rekha has worked in more than 180 films in her 50-year career and captivated millions of hearts with her enthralling presence and acting skills. On her 65th birthday, let’s take a trip down the memory lane and see the iconic roles played the actress: (Image: Instagram)
Ghar (1978): Rekha delivered a power-packed and sensitive performance as the traumatised rape victim in the 1978 film Ghar. Her performance received a lot of adulation and Rekha was nominated for a Filmfare Award. The film also starred Vinod Khanna in a lead role. (Image: File Photo)
Khoobsurat (1980): Rekha’s comic timing as Manju in this Hrishikesh Mukherjee directorial was worth watching. Her vivacious acting earned her the first Best Actress Award at the Filmfare Awards. (Image: File Photo)
Silsila (1981): Rekha captured millions of hearts with her performance in the 1981 film Silsila. In the film, Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan played a married couple and Rekha played the 'other woman.' (Image: File Photo)
Umrao Jaan (1981): The same year, she played the iconic character of courtesan Umrao Jaan Ada in Muzaffar Ali's period drama. Her performance fetched her the National Award. Dil Cheez Kya Hai, In Aankhon Ki Masti and Yeh Kya Jageh Hai Dosto are a few songs from the film that remain famous till date. (Image: File Photo)
Khoon Bhari Maang (1988): Khoon Bhari Maang, showed a completely different side of the actress. She played the role of a shy, homely woman in the first half, who transforms herself into a femme-fatale later in the film. Rekha won her second Filmfare Best Actress Award in 1988 with her performance in this film. (Image: File Photo)
Aastha (1997): In the film, Rekha plays a middle class wife who turns to prostitution in order to fund her craving for luxuries. Her performance as a woman caught between indulgence and guilt was widely appreciated. (Image: File Photo)
