Rekha started her acting career as a child artist in 1966 in a Telugu film called Rangula Ratnam. Her debut as a lead actress was in 1969 in Kannada film Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D opposite one of the finest actors of Indian cinema Rajkumar. Rekha made her Bollywood debut in 1970 with Swan Bhadon. Since then she has been part of more than 180 movies.
Rekha is recognised as one of the finest actresses of Indian cinema even till this day. Her work in Bollywood earned her several awards including two Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Khubsoorat (1980) and Khoon Bhari Maang (1988) as well as Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. Rekha won National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in Umrao Jaan in 1981.
Her first role as a villain in Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi opposite Akshay Kumar was one of the highest grossing Indian films of the year. Rekha’s role as Madam Maya, got her the Star Screen Award for Best Villain and Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. Rekha was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2010.
For Rekha nothing beats the six-yard material. She is known to be wearing beautiful sarees for every award function or wedding parties she goes to. She was awarded the Samsung Diva Award in 2003 by IIFA and Forever Diva Award in 2007 by Zee Cine Award. Rekha is still considered as the style icon by many actresses of the new generation.
Rekha dubbed for two south actresses for the movie Sooryavansham in 1999. She dubbed for Soundarya and Jayasudha in the film, which Amitabh Bachchan was playing the lead actor’s role.