imported>BijoyBenny: Edited birth date

2021-08-28T17:20:59Z

Edited birth date

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{{for|the [[Bollywood]] actress Rekha|Rekha}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox person
| image = Clicked in DP event.jpg
| caption = Josephine in 2019
| name = Rekha
| birth_name = Sumathi Josephine
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|08|28|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Alappuzha]], [[Kerala]], India
| occupation = [[Actress]]
| years_active = 1986–1996 <br>(Lead actress)<br/>2002–present <br>(Supporting actress)
| spouse = George Harris <br/> (m.1996-present)
| children = Anusha (b.1998)
}}

'''Sumathi Josephine''', better known by her [[stage name]] '''Rekha''' is an Indian actress who predominantly works in [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] and [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam films]]. She also starred in few [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Kannada]] films. In a career spanning of 35 years, she has acted over around 180 movies. She was a leading actress between 1986-1996. She has started to playing supporting roles from 2002. She was one of the contestant of [[Bigg Boss (Tamil season 4)|Bigg Boss Tamil Season 4.]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/bigg-boss-tamil-4-confirmed-list-of-contestants-of-this-season/photostory/78472662.cms|title=Bigg Boss Tamil 4 contestants name list with photos 2020: Confirmed list of contestants of Bigg boss Rekha|date=4 October 2020|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

==Career==
She was introduced to the [[Tamil cinema]] with the film, ''[[Kadalora Kavithaigal]]'' (1986) directed by [[Bharathiraja]] with [[Sathyaraj]] in the lead role.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/actress-kadalora-kavithaigal-rekha-selects-her-resting-place-after-death-tamil-news-242559|title=Actress Rekha reveals why she already selected her resting place after death - Tamil News|date=19 August 2019|website=IndiaGlitz.com|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref>

Her notable works include ''[[Punnagai Mannan]]'' (1986), ''[[Enga Ooru Pattukaran]]'' (1987), ''[[En Bommukutty Ammavukku]]'' (1988), ''[[Puriyaadha Pudhir]]'' (1990) and ''[[Gunaa]]'' (1991).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/actress-rekha-denies-her-daughter-entry-into-films/articleshow/62883499.cms|title=Actress Rekha denies her daughter entry into films|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref> In Malayalam, ''[[Ramji Rao Speaking]]'' (1989), ''[[Aey Auto]]'' (1990) and ''[[In Harihar Nagar]]'' (1990) were also successful.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/ramji-rao-speaking.html|title=Ramji Rao Speaking (1989) | Ramji Rao Speaking Movie | Ramji Rao Speaking Malayalam Movie Cast & Crew, Release Date, Review, Photos, Videos|website=FilmiBeat.com|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/aye-auto.html|title=Aye Auto (1990) | Aye Auto Movie | Aye Auto Malayalam Movie Cast & Crew, Release Date, Review, Photos, Videos|website=FilmiBeat.com|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/in-harihar-nagar.html|title=In Harihar Nagar (1990) | In Harihar Nagar Movie | In Harihar Nagar Malayalam Movie Cast & Crew, Release Date, Review, Photos, Videos|website=FilmiBeat.com|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref>

She won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam]] for the film ''[[Dasharatham]]'' (1989).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/rekha-malayalam-actress/biography.html|title=Exclusive biography of #Rekha(MalayalamActress) and on her life.|website=FilmiBeat.com|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref>

After few roles as a heroine, she started to act in character roles, such as sister in law and mother.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nettv4u.com/celebrity/tamil/movie-actress/actress-rekha|title=Kollywood Movie Actress Actress Rekha Biography, News, Photos, Videos|website=Nettv4u.com|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref>

In 2020, she is entering as a contestant in the reality show ''[[Bigg Boss (Tamil season 4)|Bigg Boss 4]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/actor-rekha-becomes-first-leave-bigg-boss-tamil-season-4-house-135665|title=Actor Rekha becomes first to leave 'Bigg Boss' Tamil season 4 house|date=19 October 2020|website=The News Minute|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Sumathi Josephine hails from [[Eramalloor]], [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]]. She married George Harris, a seafood exporter in 1996. The couple has a daughter Anusha born in 1998.<ref>[https://astroulagam.com.my/entertainment/article/167904/bigg-boss-rekha-reveals-the-real-reason-for-not-allowing-her-daughter-to-join-cinema] {{dead link|date=April 2021}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
===Tamil===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="background:#000;"
! Year !! Film !! Role !! class=unsortable| Notes
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1986 || ''[[Kadalora Kavithaigal]]'' || Jennifer ||
|-
|''[[Punnagai Mannan]]'' || Ranjani ||
|-
|''[[Namma Ooru Nalla Ooru]]'' ||Seetha ||
|-
| rowspan="14" | 1987 || ''[[Solvathellam Unmai (film)|Solvathellam Unmai]]'' || Rekha ||
|-
| ''[[Aankalai Nambathey]]'' || Soorya ||
|-
|''[[Ini Oru Sudhanthiram]]'' || Kannamma||
|-
|''[[Idhu Oru Thodar Kathai]]'' || Radha ||
|-
|''[[Enga Ooru Pattukaran]]'' || Kaveri ||
|-
|''[[Kavalan Avan Kovalan]]'' || Uma Chakravarthy ||
|-
|''[[Ninaive Oru Sangeetham]]'' || Sandhya ||
|-
|''[[Veeran Veluthambi]]'' || Meghala ||
|-
|''Meendum Mahaan'' || Julie ||
|-
|''Arul Tharum Ayyappan'' || Lakshmi ||
|-
|''[[Krishnan Vandhaan]]'' || Sumathi ||
|-
| ''Ullam Kavarantha Kalvan'' ||Geetha ||
|-
|''[[Megam Karuththirukku]]'' || Chithra ||
|-
|''[[Chinnamanikkuyile]]'' || Unknown || Unreleased
|-
| rowspan="11" | 1988 || ''[[Shenbagamae Shenbagamae]]'' ||Shenbagam ||
|-
|''[[Kaalaiyum Neeye Maalaiyum Neeye]]'' ||Shanthi ||
|-
|''[[Katha Nayagan (1988 film)|Katha Nayagan]]'' || Radha||
|-
|''[[Raasave Unnai Nambi]]'' || Ranjitham ||
|-
|''[[En Bommukutty Ammavukku]]'' || Mercy ||
|-
|''[[Naan Sonnathey Sattam]]'' || Aasha ||
|-
|''Makkal Aanaiyittal'' || -||
|-
|''[[Kazhugumalai Kallan]]'' ||- ||
|-
|''[[Thambi Thanga Kambi]]'' || Uma ||
|-
|''[[Mappillai Sir]]'' || Uma ||
|-
|''Dhayam Onnu'' || Shanthi ||
|-
| rowspan="9" | 1989 || ''[[En Purushanthaan Enakku Mattumthaan]]'' || Vatsala ||
|-
|''[[Pillaikkaga]]'' ||Kannamma ||
|-
|''Moodu Manthiram'' ||Kalpana ||
|-
|''Thangamana Purushan'' || Sumalatha||
|-
|''Thaya Tharama'' || Uma ||
|-
|''Kutravali'' || Radha ||
|-
|''Kakka Kadi'' || ||
|-
|''Thalaivanukkor Thalaivi'' || Thenmozhi ||
|-
|''Idhaya Geetham'' || Divya ||
|-
| rowspan="7" | 1990 || ''[[Paattukku Naan Adimai]]'' ||Sandhya ||
|-
|''[[Varavu Nalla Uravu]]'' ||Uma ||
|-
|''[[Sigappu Nirathil Chinnappoo]]'' || Kasturi ||
|-
|''[[Vedikkai En Vadikkai]]'' || Neelaveni ||
|-
|''[[Puriyaadha Pudhir]]'' || Geetha Chakravarthi ||
|-
|''[[Thiyagu (film)|Thiyagu]]'' ||Vidhya ||
|-
|''[[Nangal Puthiyavargal]]'' || Bharathi ||
|-
| rowspan="7" | 1991 || ''[[Sigaram]]'' || Sukanya ||
|-
|''[[Irumbu Pookkal]]'' || Pavunnu || Guest Appearance
|-
|''[[Nallathai Naadu Kekum]]'' || Radha ||
|-
|''[[Vaidehi Kalyanam]]'' || Vasanthi ||
|-
|''[[Paattondru Ketten]]'' || Usha||
|-
|''[[Gunaa]]'' || Rosie ||
|-
|''Sirai Kadhavugal'' || Durga||
|-
| rowspan="9" | 1992 || ''[[Enga Veetu Velan]]'' || Kalyani||
|-
|''[[Idhuthanda Sattam]]'' || Lakshmi ||
|-
|''[[Annamalai (film)|Annamalai]]'' || Shanthi ||
|-
|''[[David Uncle]]'' || Malathi ||
|-
|''[[Annan Ennada Thambi Ennada]]'' || Priyanka||
|-
|''[[Thirumathi Palanisamy]]'' || Jyothi|| Guest Appearance
|-
|''Palaivana Raagangal'' || ||
|-
|''Harihara Puthiran'' || ||
|-
|''Vasantha Malargal'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1994 || ''[[Rasa Magan]]'' || Chellachamy's wife ||
|-
|''[[Vaa Magale Vaa]]'' || Kalyani ||
|-
| rowspan="4" | 1996 || ''[[Kaalam Maari Pochu (1996 film)|Kaalam Maari Pochu]]'' || Lakshmi ||
|-
|''[[Krishna (1996 Tamil film)|Krishna]]'' || Anandhi ||
|-
|''[[Gnanapazham]]'' || Professor Nirmala ||
|-
|''[[Priyam (film)|Priyam]]'' || Aunty ||
|-
|2002 || ''[[Roja Kootam]]'' || Bhumika's mom, inspector || Comeback film after her marriage
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2003 || ''[[Anbu (2003 film)|Anbu]]'' || Veena's mother ||
|-
|''[[Kadhal Sadugudu]]'' || Kausalya's mother ||
|-
|''[[Villain (2002 film)|Villain]]'' || Rajalakshmi ||
|-
|''[[Vikatan]]'' || Ramu's mother ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2004 || ''[[Kovil (film)|Kovil]]'' || Angel's mother ||
|-
|''[[Arul]]'' ||Ganapathy's wife||
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2005 || ''[[Aadum Koothu]]''||Manimekhala's mother ||
|-
|''[[Anbe Vaa (2005 film)|Anbe Vaa]]'' || Karthik's mother ||
|-
| ''[[Priyasakhi]]'' ||Judge||
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2006 || ''[[Madhu (2006 film)|Madhu]]'' ||Jennifer ||
|-
|''[[Amirtham]]'' || Pasupathi Pillai's wife ||
|-
|''Thodamaley'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="2"|2007|| ''[[Pokkiri]]''||Mrs. Mohammed Maideen Khan ||
|-
|''[[Malaikottai]]''||Malar's mother ||
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2008 || ''[[Dasavathaaram]]'' || Meenakshi ||
|-
|''[[Inba (film)|Inba]]'' || Priya's sister in law ||
|-
|''[[Pazhani (2008 film)|Pazhani]]'' ||Pazhanivel's mother||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2009|| ''Madhavi''||Lakshmi ||
|-
|''Adada Enna Azhagu'' ||Vasan's mother ||
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2010 ||''[[Thairiyam]]'' || Kumaran's mother||
|-
|''[[Thambi Arjuna]]'' || Radhika's mother ||
|-
| ''[[Uthamaputhiran (2010 film)|Uthama Puthiran]]'' || Meenakshi ||
|-
|''Indrasena'' || -||
|-
|''Ilamai Itho Itho'' || ||
|-
| 2011 || ''[[Marudhavelu]]'' || Vidhya Venugopalan's mother ||
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2013 || ''[[Thalaivaa]]'' || Ganga Ramadurai ||
|-
|''[[Ya Ya (film)|Ya Ya]]'' || Ramarajan's mother ||
|-
|''Sibi'' || Lakshmi ||
|-
|2014|| ''Vazhum Dheivam''|| |Durga||
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2015 || ''[[Rombha Nallavan Da Nee]]'' || A. SowmiyaKannan - IPS ||
|-
|''[[Achaaram]]'' || Suriya's mother ||
|-
|''[[Sakalakala Vallavan (2015 film)|Sakalakala Vallavan]]'' || Meenakshi ||
|-
|''[[Maanga (film)|Maanga]]'' || Samyuktha ||
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2016 || ''[[Bangalore Naatkal]]'' || Sarah's mother ||
|-
|''[[Sowkarpettai]]'' || Shakthi's / Vetri's mother ||
|-
|''[[Vellikizhamai 13am Thethi]]'' || Saravanan's mother ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2017 || ''[[Muthuramalingam]]'' || Ashok Pandian's mother ||
|-
|''[[En Aaloda Seruppa Kaanom]]'' || Sandhya's mother ||
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2018 || ''[[Kinar (film)|Keni]]'' ||Judge ||
|-
|''[[Diya (film)|Diya]]'' || Thulasi' mother ||
|-
|''[[Goli Soda 2]]'' ||Seetha Kumari ||
|-
|''[[Pyaar Prema Kaadhal]]'' || Sree's mother ||
|-
|''[[Antony (film)|Antony]]'' || -||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2019 || ''[[Dharmaprabhu]]'' || Ayyo ||
|-
|''[[100% Kadhal]]'' || Aruna ||
|-
| 2020 || ''[[Dagaalty]]'' || Malli's mother||
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2021 || ''Chidambaram Railwaygate'' || Thillaiamma ||
|-
| ''Rajavamsam'' ||- || Filming
|-
|''Kuska'' ||- || Filming
|-
|''Pei Maama'' ||- || Filming
|-
|''[[Plan Panni Pannanum]]'' ||- || Filming
|-
|}

===Malayalam===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="background:#000;"
! Year !! Film !! Role !! class=unsortable| Notes
|-
| 1989 || ''[[Ramji Rao Speaking]]'' || Rani||
|-
| rowspan="8" | 1990 || ''[[Dasharatham]]'' || Annie || Winner: [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam]]
|-
|''[[Oliyambukal]]'' || Usha ||
|-
|''[[Arhatha]]'' || Anju ||
|-
|''[[Aey Auto]]'' || Meenakshi ||
|-
|''[[Randam Varavu]]'' || Indu Jayakumar ||
|-
|''[[In Harihar Nagar]]'' || Annie Philip/Sr Josephine ||
|-
|''[[Lal Salam]]'' || Stella ||
|-
|''[[Pavam Pavam Rajakumaran]]'' || Radhika ||
|-
| rowspan="6" | 1991 || ''[[Sundarikakka]]'' ||Princy John ||
|-
|''[[Swanthwanam]]'' ||Gayathri ||
|-
|''[[Pookkalam Varavayi]]'' || Nirmala ||
|-
|''[[Kizhakkunarum Pakshi]]'' || Meera ||
|-
|''[[Adayalam]]'' || Latha ||
|-
|''[[Nettipattom]]'' || Indu ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1992 || ''[[Vasudha]]'' || Vasudha ||
|-
|''[[Grihapravsam]]'' || Radhika ||
|-
| rowspan="4" | 1993 || ''[[Janam (1993 film)|Janam]]'' || Gomathiyamma ||
|-
|''[[Sarovaram]]'' ||Devu ||
|-
|''[[Yaadhavam]]'' ||Jayanthi||
|-
|''Kudumbasneham'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1994 || ''Bheeshmacharya'' || Shanthi ||
|-
|''[[Manathe Vellitheru]]'' || Julie ||
|-
|''Harichandanam'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1995 || ''Kidilol Kidilam'' || Raji ||
|-
|''Mumpe Parakkunna Pakshi'' || ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1996 || ''[[Saamoohyapadom]]'' || ||
|-
|''[[Sankeerthanam Pole]]'' ||Joyamma ||
|-
|1997 ||''[[Poonilamazha]]'' ||Leena||
|-
| rowspan="1" | 2005 || ''[[Naran (film)|Naran]]'' || Sunanda ||
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2006 || ''[[Chinthamani Kolacase]]'' || Lal Krishna's sister ||
|-
|''[[Pachakuthira]]'' || Akash's foster mother ||
|-
|''[[Prajapathi]]'' || Narayanan's mother ||
|-
|''Jayam'' || Bhanumathi ||
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2007 || ''[[Veeralipattu (2007 film)|Veeralipattu]]'' ||Gayathri ||
|-
|''[[Avan Chandiyude Makan]]'' || Ealikutty ||
|-
|''[[Nagaram (2007 film)|Nagaram]]'' || Mayor Sreelatha Varma ||
|-
| 2008 || ''Chandranilekkoru Vazhi'' || Sulochana Kumaran ||
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2009 || ''[[Vairam: Fight for Justice]]'' || Dr. Susan ||
|-
|''[[Ivar Vivahitharayal]]'' || Adv. Nandini ||
|-
|''[[2 Harihar Nagar]]'' || Annie Philip/Sr. Josephine ||
|-
| 2010 || ''[[Kadaksham]]'' ||Rosamma ||
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2012 || ''[[My Boss]]'' || Priya's mother ||
|-
|''[[Asuravithu (2012 film)|Asuravithu]]'' || Sara Shaikh Muhammed||
|-
|''[[No. 66 Madhura Bus]]'' || Subhadra ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2013 || ''[[Annum Innum Ennum]]'' || Indu ||
|-
|''3G Third Generation'' || Manu's mother ||
|-
| 2014 || ''[[Bangalore Days]]'' || Sarah's mother ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2015 || ''My God'' || -||
|-
|''[[Jo and the Boy]]'' || Catherine ||
|-
| 2016 || ''PachakKallam'' || Viswanathan's wife ||
|-
| 2017 || ''Vedham'' || Nirmala Devi ||
|-
| 2018 || ''[[Kinar (film)|Kinar]]'' || Judge ||
|-
| 2019 || ''[[Edakkad Battalion 06]]'' || Surayya ||
|-
| 2020 || ''[[Kunjeldho]]'' ||TBA||
|-
|}

===Telugu===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="background:#000;"
! Year !! Film !! Role !! class=unsortable| Notes
|-
| 2018|| ''Kanam'' || Thulasi's mother||
|-
| 2012 || ''[[Money Money, More Money]]'' || Geetha Maadhuri ||
|-
|2008|| ''Neelo Naalo'' ||Priya's sister in law|||
|-
| 1995|| ''Muddayi Muddugumma'' || Shobha ||
|-
| 1993 || ''[[Kondapalli Raja]]'' || Shanthi ||
|-
| 1991 || ''[[Teneteega]]'' || Aparna ||
|-
| 1991 || ''Sarpayagam'' || Santhi ||
|-
| 1991|| ''[[Minor Raja]]'' ||Seeta||
|-
| 1989|| ''[[Rudranetra]]'' || Swarnarekha ||
|-

|}

===Kannada===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="background:#000;"
! Year !! Film !! Role !! class=unsortable| Notes
|-
| 1987 || ''Poornachandra'' || Kumuda ||
|-
| 1992 || ''[[Nanna Shathru]]'' || Asha ||
|-
|}

==Television serials==
;Malayalam
* ''Neelakkurinju Veendum'' Pookkunnu (DD)
*''Mandharam'' (Kairali TV) as Aparna

;Tamil
*''[[Kana Kaanum Kaalangal]]'' (Star Vijay) as Lakshmi
*''Balachandarin Chinnathirai - Micro Thodargal Macro Sinthanaigal - Savukkadi''
*''Micro Thodar Macro Sinthanaigal - Oru Kadayin Sila Kilai Kadaigal''

;Telugu
*''Ninne Pelladatha'' as Seetha

==Television show==
*''Urvashi Theatres'' (Asianet) as Mentor -Malayalam
*''Malayali Veetamma'' (Flowers TV) as Judge -Malayalam
*''Nakshathradeepangal'' (Kairali TV) as Judge -Malayalam
*''Comedy Festival Season 1'' (Mazhavil Manorama) as Judge -Malayalam
*''[[Cooku with Comali]] (season 1)'' (Star Vijay) as Contestant -Tamil- 3rd Runner Up (Wild Card Contestant)
*''[[Bigg Boss (Tamil season 4)|Bigg Boss 4]]'' (Star Vijay) as Contestant - Tamil - Evicted Day 14
*''[[Cooku with Comali|Cooku with Comali 2]]'' (Star Vijay) as Guest - Tamil - Celebration episode
*''Red Carpet'' (Amrita TV) as Mentor -Malayalam
*''[[Top Singer (TV series)|Top Singer season 2]]'' (Flowers TV) as Judge --Malayalam

==Awards==
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam]] - ''[[Dasharatham]]''
* [[Kalaimamani|Kalaimamani Award]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|9969854|Rekha}}

{{FilmfareMalayalamBestActress}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rekha}}
[[Category:Actresses from Alappuzha]]
[[Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Nilgiris district]]
[[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema]]
[[Category:Indian television actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Malayalam television]]
[[Category:Tamil television actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Tamil television]]
[[Category:Actresses in Telugu television]]
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:Bigg Boss Tamil contestants]]

Rekha (South Indian actress) - Revision history

imported>BijoyBenny: Edited birth date