From commercial queen to parallel cinema icon: Dilip Thakur traces Rekha’s legendary career on her 72nd birthday

Rekha's journey spans commercial blockbusters and acclaimed parallel cinema, earning her a lasting place in Indian film history. Explore Dilip Thakur's reflections on her remarkable career.

Mumbai: As the timeless diva of Indian cinema, Rekha celebrates her 72nd birthday today. Veteran journalist and film historian Dilip Thakur has offered a fascinating retrospective on the legendary actress’s cinematic evolution. Tracing her journey from a newcomer who was labelled derogatorily in her early days to becoming one of the most glamorous, versatile and enduring icons of the silver screen, Thakur highlights the duality that defined her illustrious career.

Reflecting on her expansive career trajectory, Thakur notes how the actress navigated two entirely different worlds within the film industry. “Rekha is known as the heroine of Hindi commercial cinema. Not just Hindi, but as one of the glamorous, beautiful, and fan-favourite actresses in the history of Indian cinema, Rekha is such an actress.”

Rekha began her career with the 1970 film Sawan Bhadon, directed by Mohan Segal. Her performance in the 1981 Yash Chopra-directed Silsila, in which she wore a chiffon saree, remains memorable. Thakur explains, “In Rekha’s journey from the........

© News9Live