Rakhee Gulzar is inarguably one of the finest actresses of Indian cinema, known for her intense and grounded performances, characteristic quivering voice laden with a plethora of emotions, and those light eyes. Some of her notable films include “Sharmeeli,” “Daagh,” “Kabhi Kabhie,” “Doosra Aadmi,” “Trishna,” “Jurmana,” “Basera,” “Shakti,” “Ram Lakhan,” “Anari,” “Karan Arjun,” and many more.
Early Life
Rakhee Gulzar, born Rakhee Majumdar on the historic day of India’s independence, August 15, 1947, in Ranaghat, West Bengal, has been a prominent figure in Indian cinema. Before the partition of India, her father was running a shoe business in their native village in Meherpur, East Bengal, which is now in Bangladesh. After the partition, the family settled in West Bengal.
She received her early education at a local girls’ school. According to reports, legendary actress Sandhya Roy is the reason that Rakhee became an actress. Sandhya saw Raakhi as an 8-year-old in 1957 who was watching her shoot in the small town of Ranaghat. Sandhya befrended the beautiful little girl and became an older sister Raakhi never had. She continued to mentor her and shared a long friendship, which is still flourishing.
Rakhee was still a teenager when she got married to Ajay Biswas, a Bengali journalist and filmmaker. The marriage did not last and the couple separated after some time.
Rakhee’s Early Career
Rakhee’s foray into the film industry was somewhat surprising. Her debut came with the Bengali film “Bodhu Boron” in 1967. She made her Hindi film debut with the Satyen Bose-directed film “Jeevan Mrityu,” opposite Dharmendra, in 1970. The film was a remake of the Uttam Kumar starrer Jiban Mrityu (1967).
In 1971, she appeared in Samir Ganguly’s “Sharmeeli,” opposite Shahi Kapoor. In the film, she had a dual role, as the shy and homely Kanchan and the street-smart and manipulative Kamini. Her convincing performace in playing two opposite characters gets her immese accalim. The same year, she starred in “Reshma Aur Shera,” “Paras,” and “Lal Patthar.”
It wasn’t long before she became a household name. In 1972 she starred with Rajendra Kumar and Pran, in Praksh Mehra’s “Aan Baan (1972).” The same year she satrred in J Om Praksh’s “Aankhon Aankhon Mein (1972),” directed by Raghunath Jhalani. In the film she starred opposite Rakesh Roshan and gets a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. Her performances in “Blackmail (1973),” with Dharmendra and “Joshila (1973),” Dev Anand were also noteworthy.
The Powerhouse Performer
Rakhee then acted in Yash Chopra’s or “Daag: A Poem of Love (1973),” alongwith Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore. She gets a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. In 1974 She starred in Awtar Krishna Kaul‘s iconic “27 Down,” opposite MK Raina. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi and Best Cinematography. The year 1976 saw her win the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her role in “Tapasya.”
She had a string of critically acclaimed films, like Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Doosra Aadmi (1977), Trishna (1978), Kasme Vaade (1978), Trishul (1978), Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), Hamare Tumhare (1979), Jurmana (1979), Kaala Patthar (1979), Aanchal (1980), Shaan (1980), Rocky (1981), Barsaat Ki Ek Raat (1981), Baseraa (1981), Shradhanjali (1981), Bemisal (1982), Dil Aakhir Dil Hai (1982), Shakti (1982), and many more.
Continuing Succcess
Her versatility as an actress is evident from her varied filmography. After a successful career as a lead actress for over a decade, she transitioned into character roles in films like Saaheb (1985), Amma (1986), Zindagani (1986), Muqaddar Ka Faisla (1987), Dacait (1986), Ram Lakhan (1989), Jeevan Ek Sangharsh (1990), Saugandh (1991), Pratikar (1991), Rudaali (1993), Khal Nayak (1993), Anari (1993), Baazigar (1993), Karan Arjun (1995), Border (1997), Soldier (1998), Baadshah (1999), Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love (2001) and many more.
Rakhee’s Filmfare Best Actress nominations include Kabhi Kabhie, Doosra Aadmi, Trishna, Jurmana, Basera, and Shakti. She was also nominated for the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for “Saaheb,” ‘”Ram Lakhan,” “Anari,” “Karan Arjun,” and “Border.” For “Soldier,” she won her second Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her role in “Shubho Mahurat (2003)” won her the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.
More recently, Rakhee did a rare apearance in Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee’s Begali film Aamar Boss.
Personal Life
Rakhee Gulzar married the renowned poet, lyricist, and director Gulzar in 1973, and they have a daughter, Meghna Gulzar, who is a noted writer and director. Despite separating a year after marriage, Rakhee and Gulzar have maintained a cordial relationship.
In recognition of her contribution to Indian cinema, Rakhee was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2003. Rakhee has always maintained a private life, seldom making appearances in the media or public events in recent years.
Rakhee Gulzar on IMDB
