Throughout her journey in Hindi cinema, Rekha has delivered numerous commanding performances where her characters outshone traditional male leads. Through these cinematic portraits, she brought societal ironies and orthodox norms directly into the spotlight. Here is a look at six of her finest woman-centric movies that viewers can stream across various digital platforms today.
Umrao Jaan and Khoon Bhari Maang
Released in 1981, the classic film Umrao Jaan featured Rekha in the unforgettable role of a refined poetess and courtesan trapped within a rigid social environment. Her mesmerizing portrayal earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress, and this cinematic masterpiece can be accessed through select digital rentals and regional platforms. Following that, the 1988 revenge thriller Khoon Bhari Maang marked a massive career pivot for her as she played Aarti Saxena. In this story, the protagonist is left for dead by her husband but mounts a fierce comeback for retribution, and the movie is available to watch on Zee5 and Amazon Prime Video.
Khubsoorat and Aastha
The 1980 comedy-drama Khubsoorat showcased Rekha as Manju Dayal in an uplifting narrative about a free-spirited and mischievous woman who upends the strict and tyrannical rules of a traditional household. This family entertainer can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. Meanwhile, the 1997 release Aastha: In the Prison of Spring cast her as Mansi, depicting the intricate life of a middle-class woman navigating solitude, professional independence, and a complex extramarital relationship, which is accessible via select video-on-demand services.
Super Nani and Ijaazat
The comedy-drama Super Nani was directed and produced by Indra Kumar, featuring an ensemble cast including Rekha, Sharman Joshi, Randhir Kapoor, Anupam Kher, and Rajesh Kumar. This movie is adapted from Imtiaz Patel's Gujarati play Ba E Mari Boundry and is available on Netflix. On the other hand, the 1987 drama Ijaazat was directed by Guljaar and is based on a Bengali short story titled Jatugriha by Subodh Ghosh. Starring Rekha alongside Naseeruddin Shah and Anuradha Patel, this poignant film can be streamed on MX Player.
