Bhanurekha Ganesan (born 10 October 1954), better known by her stage name Rekha, is an Indian actress who appears predominantly in Hindi films. Acknowledged as one of the finest actresses in Indian cinema, she has starred in more than 180 films and is the recipient of several accolades, including one National Film Award and three Filmfare Awards. She has often played strong and complicated female characters—from fictional to literary—in both mainstream and independent films. Though her career has gone through certain periods of decline, Rekha has gained a reputation for reinventing herself numerous times and has been credited for her ability to sustain her status. In 2010, the Government of India honored her with Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor.
Known For
Parineeta
(2005)
Moulin Rouge Singer
Om Shanti Om
(2007)
Self, special appearance in "Deewangi Deewangi" (uncredited)
Krrish 4
(2025)
Sonia Mehra
Gol Maal
(1979)
Self
Krrish
(2006)
Sonia Mehra
Nagin
(1976)
Sunita
Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love
(1996)
Rasa Devi
Janbaaz
(1986)
Special Appearance
Koi... Mil Gaya
(2003)
Sonia Mehra
Nishana
(1995)
Bharati
Aanchal
(1980)
Tulsi
Judaai
(1980)
Gauri Singh
Namak Haraam
(1973)
Shyama
Jeevan Dhaara
(1982)
Sangeeta
Bulandi
(2000)
Lakshmi
Full Filmography
Acting
Intiguttu
(1958)
Child
Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999
(1969)
Mona
Sawan Bhadon
(1970)
Chanda
Elaan
(1971)
Haseenon Ka Devata
(1971)
Sunita
Raampur Ka Lakshman
(1972)
Rekha Chaudhary
Gora Aur Kala
(1972)
Phoolwati
Punishment
(1972)
Tawaaif
Zameen Aasmaan
(1972)
Kalpana
Keemat
(1973)
Sudha
Kahani Kismat Ki
(1973)
Rekha
Namak Haraam
(1973)
Shyama
Anokhi Ada
(1973)
Double Cross
(1973)
Rekha
Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye
(1973)
Janiya
Khoon Khoon
(1973)
Rekha
Hawas
(1974)
Guest apperance in song "Aao Yaaro Gao.."
Woh Main Nahin
(1974)
Dharmatma
(1975)
Anu
Dharam Karam
(1975)
Basanti
Aakraman
(1975)
Sheetal
Zorro
(1975)
Rajkumari Rekha
Kahtey Hain Mujhko Raja
(1975)
Nagin
(1976)
Sunita
Do Anjaane
(1976)
Rekha Roy/Sunita Devi
Kabeela
(1976)
Shobha
Aaj Ka Mahatma
(1976)
Mala
Khoon Pasina
(1977)
Chanda
Alaap
(1977)
Radhakumari (Radhiya)
Immaan Dharam
(1977)
Durga
Chakkar Pe Chakkar
(1977)
Sheila
Farishta Ya Qatil
(1977)
Ram Bharose
(1977)
Kiran
Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein
(1977)
Dancer
Saal Solvan Chadya
(1977)
Wedding Entertainer
Dildaar
(1977)
Lata
For Your Sake
(1977)
Sarita
Muqaddar Ka Sikandar
(1978)
Zohrabai
Rahu Ketu
(1978)
Tulsi
Ganga Ki Saugand
(1978)
Dhaniya
Do Musafir
(1978)
Bijli
Bhola Bhala
(1978)
Champa
Ghar
(1978)
Aarti
Muqaddar
(1978)
Seema
Sawan Ke Geet
(1978)
Radha
Kasme Vaade
(1978)
Dancer (Guest Appearance)
Karmayogi
(1978)
Rekha
Mr. Natwarlal
(1979)
Shanno
Suhaag
(1979)
Basanti
Gol Maal
(1979)
Self
Jaani Dushman
(1979)
Champa
Kartavya
(1979)
Neeta
Prem Bandhan
(1979)
Mahua
Do Shikaari
(1979)
Sunita
Ahinsa
(1979)
Radha
Khubsoorat
(1980)
Manju Dayal
Ram Balram
(1980)
Shobha
Kali Ghata
(1980)
Rekha / Rashmi
Aanchal
(1980)
Tulsi
Neeyat
(1980)
Fatakadi
(1980)
Judaai
(1980)
Gauri Singh
Jal Mahal
(1980)
Namita
Maang Bharo Sajana
(1980)
Radha
Silsila
(1981)
Chandni
Umrao Jaan
(1981)
Amiran/Umrao Jaan
Saajan Ki Saheli
(1981)
Moon-Moon Dhawan
Khoon Aur Paani
(1981)
Champa
Todu Dongalu
(1981)
The Tinkling of Anklets
(1981)
Kajal
Kalyug
(1981)
Supriya/Draupadi
Baseraa
(1981)
Purnima Kohli
Daasi
(1981)
Tara
Ek Hi Bhool
(1981)
Sadhana Shrivastav
Chehre Pe Chehra
(1981)
Daisy
Sacred Golden Chain
(1981)
Gayatri B. Prasad
Yaarana
(1981)
Chashme Buddoor
(1981)
Self
Ghazab
(1982)
Jamuna
The Victor
(1982)
Jeevan Dhaara
(1982)
Sangeeta
Deedar-E-Yaar
(1982)
Husna
Apna Bana Lo
(1982)
Roopa
Raaste Pyar Ke
(1982)
Gauri
Agar Tum Na Hote
(1983)
Mrs. Purnima Mehra
Nishaan
(1983)
Rita
Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye
(1983)
Shakuntala
Prem Tapasya
(1983)
Bela
Lady Tarzan
(1983)
Baazi
(1984)
Mrs. Asha Sharma
Jhutha Sach
(1984)
Alka
Utsav
(1984)
Vasantsena
Zameen Aasmaan
(1984)
Kanchan Gupta
Maati Maangey Khoon
(1984)
Shyamli
Asha Jyoti
(1984)
Jyoti
Jhoothi
(1985)
Kalpana Srivastav
Faasle
(1985)
Maya
Ram Tere Kitne Nam
(1985)
Janbaaz
(1986)
Special Appearance
Sadaa Suhagan
(1986)
Laxmi
Jaal
(1986)
Meenabai
Insaaf Ki Awaaz
(1986)
Jhansi Rani
Musafir
(1986)
Sarasawasti Pillai
Pyar Ki Jeet
(1987)
Soni
Ijaazat
(1987)
Sudha
Sansar
(1987)
Uma V. Sharma
Jaan Hatheli Pe
(1987)
Geeta Verma
Apne Apne
(1987)
Sharda Kapoor
Khoon Bhari Maang
(1988)
Aarti Saxena / Jyoti
Biwi Ho To Aisi
(1988)
Shalu S. Bhandari
Ek Naya Rishta
(1988)
Aarti Saxena
Bahurani
(1989)
Madhuri / Malti
Bhrashtachar
(1989)
Bhavani Dutt
Clerk
(1989)
Kasam Suhag Ki
(1989)
Surajmukhi
Ladaai
(1989)
Public Prosecutor Shakuntala Verma
Sheshnaag
(1990)
Champa
Azaad Desh Ke Gulam
(1990)
Bharati Bhandari
Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai
(1990)
Phool Bane Angaray
(1991)
Namrita Singh
Waqt Ka Badshah
(1992)
Insaaf Ki Devi
(1992)
Geetanjali
(1993)
Anjali / Geeta
Madam X
(1994)
Madam X/ Sonu
Ab Insaf Hoga
(1995)
Jankidevi Prasad
Nishana
(1995)
Bharati
Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi
(1996)
Madam Maya
Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love
(1996)
Rasa Devi
Aurat Aurat Aurat
(1996)
Seeta Vajpayee
Aastha: In the Prison of Spring
(1997)
Mansi
Udaan
(1997)
Varsha Sahay
Qila
(1998)
Yamini
Mother
(1999)
Asha Britannia
Bulandi
(2000)
Lakshmi
Lajja
(2001)
Ramdulaari
Zubeidaa
(2001)
Mandira Devi
Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachaao
(2001)
Kamini Mathur
Dil Hai Tumhaara
(2002)
Saritaji
Koi... Mil Gaya
(2003)
Sonia Mehra
Bhoot
(2003)
Sarita
Bachke Rehna Re Baba
(2005)
Rukmini / Richa / Gurpreet
Parineeta
(2005)
Moulin Rouge Singer
Krrish
(2006)
Sonia Mehra
Kudiyon Ka hai Zamaana
(2006)
Mayuri
Om Shanti Om
(2007)
Self, special appearance in "Deewangi Deewangi" (uncredited)
Sadiyaan: Boundaries Divide... Love Unites
(2010)
Amrit Kaur
Super Nani
(2014)
Bharti Bhatia (Chunni)
Shamitabh
(2015)
Self
Yamla Pagla Deewana: Phir Se
(2018)
Special Appearance
Krrish 4
(2025)
Sonia Mehra
Writing