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THE REKHA PAPERS
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Last updated on July 3, 2023 by Aaditya & Rupali
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Libran queen, inimitable aesthete, modelesque performer, Bhanurekha Ganesan was born on 10 October, 1954 in Madras (present-day Chennai) and began her career as a child actor in 1958.
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In a career that spans half a century, the meaning of Rekha has seen drastic shifts, from evaded ingenue to it-girl, bombshell, damsel, all in one, to sexily high-camp madame, to mythologized, ethereal beauty, generous thespian, still girlish, elvin, elusive screen beauty.
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------------------------------------------->To celebrate her birthday we created a playlist-like repository of our favourite performances, scenes and interviews!
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"She's 67---
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Where does Rekha go from here?"
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********BACKGROUND
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>Rekha's full name is Bhanurekha Ganesan.
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> Mother tongue is Telugu, but also fluent in Hindi and English.
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> While her teen debut in Sawan Bhadon (1970) launched her in the Hindi film industry, it wasn't until the late seventies that she became recognized as a cinematic force, starting with Ghar (1978).
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> Her role as the titular protagonist in Umrao Jaan (1981) earned her the prestigious National Film Award for Best Actress.
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> Her versatile performances as Zohra Begum in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1979), Aarti Varma in Khoon Bhari Maang (1989) and Madam Maya in Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1997) earned her Filmfare Awards through out her career.
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>Her noteworthy dance performances such as "Dil Cheez Kya Hai" are credited to choreographer Gopi Krishna and Kumudini Lakhia with costume design by Subhashini Ali.
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> The famous song "Salaam-e-Ishq" was also helmed by a talented crew with costume design and styling by Bhanu Athaiya and Mani J. Rabadi and choreography by P.L. Raj Dance Master.
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********LISTEN TO PLAYLIST BY SANGHUM FILM [↗]********(https://bit.ly/2YzHmYl)
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#IMAGE REFERENCEYEARSONG NAMEFILM HIGHLIGHTS ☺ / LOWLIGHTS ☹SINGERVIDEO LINK
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11986Pyar Do Pyar LoJanbaaz [↗]disco-disco, sequin headband, white backup dancers wearing leather (?) [originally shot for a unreleased Feroz Khan film titled "Kasak". Feroz had started the film after Qurbani with Parveen Babi and Rekha. After shooting the song, Parveen Babi disappeared from the country. Feroz decided to scarp the film and start Jaanbaz. He retained the song shot with Rekha and added it to the film]Sapna Mukherjee [↗]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcEgdXOLc9s
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21976Koi Mere Saath Chale Na ChaleDo Anjannesolo on stage, pink and silver jingly outfit, possible influence on Ek Do Teen (Madhuri) | 1988 Lata Mangeshkar [↗]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aexjF3gCoM0
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31981In Aankhon Ki Masti MeinUmrao Jaankathak (Hindustani classical dance); mujra by courteasanAsha Bhosle [↗]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwsjRraWgdA&ab_channel=AnillBabbilwar
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41978Salaam-e-IshqMuqadar Ka Sikandarhot pink outfit; more contemporary kathak mujraAsha Bhoslehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw6cCZ4slqQ&ab_channel=MukeshMalviya
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51981Ladki Hai Ya SholaSilsilarekha in pink dancing, rekha and amitabh courting each otherLata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJguMcymgMo
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61987Ae Dost TuPyar Ki Jeetxmas like red and white tasstled outfitAsha Bhoslehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtzq2Zr20-c
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71988Main Haseena Gazab KiKhoon Bhari Maangover the top outfit / performance, duetAsha Bhosle, Sadhna Sargam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlqUfaly8Nk
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81980Jiske Liye Sabko ChhodaSaajan Ki Sahelishimmery red gownMohammed Rafi, Sulakshana Pandithttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGfOc_LFnP8&ab_channel=ShemarooFilmiGaane
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91996In The Night No ControlKhiladiyon Ka Khiladifeeding each other, mud writhing scene, shower scene.... 03:40 (?)Sumitra Iyerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_9LyZs_hCY
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101984Man Kyoon Behka Re Behka Aadhi Raat KoUtsavbetween two women; [Gyatri Gopinath from Impossible Desires] "a queer reading might also allow for the possibility of triangulated desire that does not solidify into ‘lesbian’or ‘heterosexual,’ but rather opens up a third space where both hetero- and homoerotic relations coexist simultaneously."Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvZ-IaqKks4
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111984Neelam Ke Nabh Chhayee Pukharaji JankiUtsavsinging dialogue, between women waiting for their loverLata Mangeshkarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWD3DFXN9Ak
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121981Dil Cheez Kya HaiUmrao Jaankathak (Hindustani classical dance); mujra by courteasanAsha Bhoslehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sYHweBM4L4&ab_channel=CisperaEspera
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131987Aaj Mere Pyar Ki Jeet Ho Jaane DoPyar Ki Jeetamazing choreography, rekha wearing white and gold, dancers in pink, 01:55 camera flips 180 back and forth to catch Rekha turn and then react; 03:07 foot exposed during floor sequence; 03:38 rekha eye contact!! "aaj mere pyar ki jeet" [today my love wins]Asha Bhoslehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yape8ip_9ps
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141990O Mere Dushman [My Enemy]Sheshnaagsnake dance, elaborate gold outfit and head piece ~9min!! special effects...r fun; 02:19 jump cuts to red; in contrast to Sri Devi's performance in Nagina (1986)Anuradha Paudwalhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6nWVEbbQRU
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151980Piya BawriKhoobsuratlight-hearted sunny dance number; kathak in plainclothes; like practicing with musician's beatsAsha Bhoslehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9DhcPqGd0g&ab_channel=GaaneSuneAnsune
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161979PardesiaMr. Natwarlalyellow ghagra choli outfitLata Mangeshkar & Kishore Kumarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xBj0wf8M-Q&ab_channel=RainbowHDB
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171972Gum Hai Kisi Ke Pyar MeinRaampur Ka Lakshman orange sariLata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPiOMuvzSI8
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1992Kashmir Se Leke Kanyakumari TakInsaaf Ki Devibackground dancers in blackface, dramatic costume choreography, catchy - synthy Asha Bhoslehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p30k4S-aGBI
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2005Kaisi Paheli ZindaganiParineetajazzy carabet performance; set in moulin rouge in 1950s calcuttaSunidhi Chauhanhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6Y8hMyEoV8&ab_channel=ZeeMusicCompany
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2005Sunidhi Chauhan, Soumya RaohBachke Rehna Re Babaconfused about this-- but into rekha wig choice, dance-y song, chorus: chup chup chup chup..(shutup, shutup shutup..), duetSunidhi Chauhan, Soumya Raohhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhGoPblenzI
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?1981Yeh Kahaan Aa Gaye HumSilsilarekha in love; breezy minimal silhouettes; yash chopra's floral sceneryLata Mangeshkarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43wT0xhvfsA&ab_channel=YRF
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?1993I Love You Bole BuGeetanjalishort hair w/ red spandex outfits, cowboy hats, then in purple w/ long crimped hair, "hay you, handsome! come dance with me"Asha Bhoslehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XNMHuwX8QQ
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1981Yeh Kya Jagah Hai DostonUmrao Jaanrekha as umrao, the courtesean, singing about her lost family and disownment; sad numberAsha Bhoslehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgCOzk_G93I&ab_channel=TheDeepGold
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1981Neela Aasman So GayaSilsilaheartbreak/breakup ballad; rekha in understated nude tones; sad numberLata Mangeshkarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTLXBc8SrnI&ab_channel=YRF
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1987Katra Katra Milti Hai Katra Katra Jeene DoIjaazatrekha in subdued, everyday sari/bindi look; a more realistic dream sequence/love ballad with naseerudin shahAsha Bhoslehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZzK3CVzLKo&ab_channel=GaaneSuneAnsune
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1978Aapki Aankhon Mein KuchGharrekha's marital look continues... romantic number from gharKishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbqCWwlNKrA&ab_channel=UltraBollywood
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1978Aaj Kal Paon Zameen ParGharsweet montage of couple roaming and chilling in parks and scenic public spaces; rekha's slow motion running at 3:32Lata Mangeshkarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqCzyGLxQeQ&ab_channel=UltraBollywood
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********FAMOUS SCENES, INTERVIEWS AND LIVE PERFORMANCES
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1997
The 43rd Filmfare Awards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2vL8VQfdC0&ab_channel=JamalNasir
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1985
IT'S A WOMAN'S WORLD (episode 1)
https://youtu.be/SF8Ve-voR3U?t=205
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1985/6 (?)
Interview with Shan Chandrasekar at ATN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTOsCIkgvMk&ab_channel=atncanada
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1986Interview at BBC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L3MXXdxKQU&ab_channel=WaseemMahmood
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********SEE ALSO
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outfits [rediff]
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defining songs [rediff]
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filmfare covers
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Rekha Fan Pages
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Cameos
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More to read
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