Mili
Timeless beauty of Bollywood, Rekhaji celebrates her birthday today.
As the diva turns 66 today, here are 7 lesser known facts about her you must know:
#1 Movie Career
Rekhaji started her career as a child artist, in 1966. Making her debut with the Telugu film ‘Rangula Ratnam’ and she acted in more than 180 films.
#2 Personal Life
The sensational beauty was in the news for her link-ups with multiple co-stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Raj Babbar, Vinod Mehra, Jeetendra, Akshay Kumar, and many more.
#3 International Recognition
Rekha was listed #50 by the UK magazine’s Eastern Eye as one of “Asia’s Sexiest Women” in September 2006.
#4 Political Innings
Rekha tried her hands in the politics of India too. She was nominated for Rajya Sabha and became a member of the Upper House in May 2012.
#5 Alleged Molestation
In ‘ Rekha: The Untold Story’, writer Yasser Usman wrote about a shocking incident that happened on the sets of ‘Anjana Safar’.
“The shooting of Anjana Safar was underway in Mahboob Studio. Raja Nawathe was the director and cinematographer of the film. In the very first schedule of the film, Kuljeet Pal (the director), Raja and Biswajeet (the lead actor) had hatched a plan, with Rekha as the unsuspecting victim. That day a romantic scene was to be filmed between Rekha and Biswajeet. Every last detail of the strategy had been decided before the shoot. As soon as the director Raj Nawathe said ‘action’, Biswajeet took Rekha in his arms and pressed his lips on hers. Rekha was stunned. This kiss had never been mentioned to her. The camera kept rolling; neither was the director ordering ‘cut’ nor was Biswajeet letting go of her. For all of five minutes, Biswajeet kept kissing Rekha. Unit members were whistling and cheering. Her eyes were tightly shut but they were full of tears.”
#6 Physical Assault by mother-in-law
After getting married, while Rekha and Vinod Mehra were returning back to Bombay from Calcutta, they decided to stop by to meet the latter’s mother.
On arrival, Vinod’s mother, Kamla Mehra didn’t just refuse to let the new bride enter the house, but she also abused her and humiliated her at the door. She reportedly even took off her sandals and almost physically assaulted Rekha.
#7 Media Witch-Hunt
After husband, Mukesh Aggarwal committed suicide due to mental depression, Rekha was subjected to a media witch-hunt. Her mother-in-law even stated that “Woh daayan mere bete ko kha gayi (That witch devoured my son),”
