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INTRODUCTION
Flash back time. Call it the ungainly-duckling-turned-into-a- svelte- swan
syndrome .... she is non other than Gemini Ganeshan's daughter Rekha. Both of
her parents were stars hence studio was her playground, they were the virtual
extension of her school. Rekha started acting at the age of Thirteen . It was
a scary world but she learnt hindi in three months and dancing in one month.
Her first film was Sawan Bhadon in 1970. She underwent amazing metamorphosis
in early 1980s transforming from a plump, darkish, also-ran sort of leading
lady to an athletic sexy looking damsel. This overnight transformation
boosted her stature in the Bollywood so much so that she reigned as
#1 for almost a decade! The transformation was so complete that it did
not only change her appearance but also seemed to have enhanced her acting
capabilities. It wasn't until the onslaught from the South (Sridevi, Jaya
Prada) or the newcomers (Madhuri Dixit) that her presence started to diminish
somewhat. Her most memorable film is Umraoo Jaan in which she played the role
of a court dancer with such charm and captivated the audience with her
mastery of classical dances. She acted in over 20 films with the then reigning
superstar AMITABH BACHCHAN with whom her reported love Affair culminated in
Yash Chopra's art-imitating-life movie SILSILA. Her other memorable films include
Khoobsoorat, Ghar, Jhoothi, Mr Natwarlal, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Do Anjane, Khoon
Bhari Maang, Agar Tum Na Hote, Aastha, Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi.
Her forthcoming film is MOTHER 98.
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