Superstar actress started acting at 1, dropped out of school at 14 to earn for family and was once known as 'Ugly Duckling'

The name Rekha needs no introduction. One of the most glamorous and prolific actresses to grace the silver screen, Rekha was synonymous with tour-de-force performances, as well as raw, unbridled sensuality. As the evergreen diva turns 71 today, here’s a look at how she established herself as one of the reigning stars despite setbacks.

Despite being the daughter of Tamil superstar Gemini Ganesan, Rekha had a rough start to her career, as she was Kaadhal Mannan’s illegitimate child. Rekha started her innings as a child actress and featured in Telugu films such as Inti Guttu (1958) when she was just one year old and Rangula Ratnam (1966) when she was 12.

At just the age of 14, she transitioned into playing lead roles. As detailed by her biographer, Yasser Usman, Rekha was encouraged by her mother, Pushpavalli, to pursue acting when the family encountered financial difficulties in 1968, believing it could provide much-needed support. Although Rekha had never shown a personal interest in acting and had originally dreamed of becoming a flight attendant, she followed her mother’s guidance. At just 13 or 14 years old, while still in ninth grade, she left school to commit herself entirely to an acting career.

In an interview with Filmfare, she reflected on how she became a breadwinner at a very young age. “I was a breadwinner. I had to grow up overnight and take care of my siblings,” she told Filmfare. She started her career as a leading lady, with the action film ‘Do Shikhari’ (earlier titled Anjana Safar) and the Kannada movie Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999. However, it was Mohan Sehgal’s film ‘Sawan Bhadon’ (opposite Navin Nischol) that became her first commercial hit and got her noticed.

During the peak of her early career, Rekha appeared in a remarkable number of films, often releasing eight to ten movies in a single year. According to her own accounts in past interviews, there was a period when she had nearly forty projects running simultaneously, a testament to her extraordinary work ethic and stamina. She frequently spent long hours at Annapoorna Studio in Hyderabad, which became a second home as she juggled multiple shoots in a single day.

Early Struggles and Criticism

The late 1970s brought significant challenges for Rekha, as she faced widespread criticism for her appearance. In an interview with The Telegraph, she revealed that she was frequently labeled the “Ugly Duckling” of Hindi cinema due to her dark complexion and South Indian features. Comparisons with the leading actresses of the time often left her feeling deeply hurt, but she remained resolute in her determination to achieve success purely through talent and perseverance.

Transformation and Self-Improvement

By the mid-1970s, Rekha began a deliberate process of personal and professional transformation. She focused on refining her makeup and wardrobe choices, enhancing her acting techniques, and dedicating three months to perfecting her Hindi language skills. This phase laid the groundwork for the poised and versatile screen presence she would later be celebrated for.

Breakthrough Roles and Recognition

Rekha’s first performance-driven role came in 1976, when she portrayed the ambitious and calculating wife of Amitabh Bachchan in Do Anjaane, marking the beginning of a series of collaborations with the legendary actor. In an interview with The Telegraph, she reflected on the impact of this film, noting that it established her reputation as an intense and capable actress. Her stature as a serious performer was further cemented in 1978 with Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Khubsoorat, a film that earned her recognition as a respected and accomplished actress.

Learning from Amitabh Bachchan
In a discussion with Filmfare, Rekha credited much of her craft to her observation of Amitabh Bachchan, with whom she shared the screen in ten films. She revealed that she absorbed his acting nuances and techniques, acknowledging that a significant part of her development as an actor stemmed from simply studying and learning from him. Rekha attributed 100 percent of her growth in performance to these experiences, emphasizing that observing his craft provided invaluable guidance in shaping her own artistic style.