She Made Her Debut in Bengali Cinema Before Bollywood
Before becoming a star in Hindi films, Rakhee started her career in Bengali cinema with the movie Badhu Bharan (1967). Her transition to Bollywood happened in 1970 with Jeevan Mrityu, opposite Dharmendra.
She Was Once Married to a Film Director
Not everyone knows that before marrying poet and lyricist Gulzar, Rakhee was briefly married to Bengali journalist and filmmaker Ajay Biswas. That marriage didn’t last long, and she later found lasting companionship with Gulzar.
She Won Two National Awards for Supporting Roles
Though famous as a leading lady in the 1970s, Rakhee received two National Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress: one for Shubho Mahurat (Bengali) and another for Jeevan Sandhya. Her range as an actor extended far beyond the glamorous roles she played in Hindi cinema.
She Lived a Reclusive Life After Leaving Films
After the 2000s, Rakhee chose to step away from public life. She lives in Panvel on the outskirts of Mumbai, tending to her farmhouse and staying away from the limelight. She rarely appears at industry events.
She Often Played the “Mother” to Stars Almost Her Age
Rakhee famously played Amitabh Bachchan’s mother in Shakti (1982) even though they were nearly the same age. This became a running joke about Bollywood’s casting, but she portrayed such roles with remarkable dignity and conviction.
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