25 Best Rekha Movies and Where to Watch Them

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Rekha, one of Bollywood's most iconic and versatile actresses, has had a career spanning over five decades. Known for her captivating screen presence, remarkable acting prowess, and timeless beauty, Rekha has become a legend in Indian cinema. If you are a fan of this Bollywood veteran, our guide takes you through her best movies to watch and all the options to stream them in India.

Which Rekha movies should I watch first?

Rekha, born Bhanurekha Ganesan, made her acting debut as a child artist in the Telugu film Rangula Ratnam (1966). However, her first leading role in Bollywood came with the film Sawan Bhadon (1970).

One of best earliest performances to watch is Ghar (1978) where she played the role of Aarti, a sexual assault survivor. The film dealt with sensitive issues and the aftermath of the assault on a couple’s life. Rekha’s portrayal of vulnerability and strength earned her critical acclaim and established her as a serious actress.

Her role in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) further solidified her status as a leading lady in Bollywood. Playing Zohra Bai, a courtesan with a heart of gold, Rekha delivered a performance that was both poignant and powerful. Her on-screen chemistry with Amitabh Bachchan was particularly praised, marking the beginning of a successful on-screen pairing.

The 1981 film Umrao Jaan is perhaps Rekha's most iconic role. As the courtesan and poetess Umrao Jaan, Rekha delivered a career-defining performance that won her the National Film Award for Best Actress. Her portrayal of the character’s grace, tragedy, and resilience remains unparalleled and is celebrated as one of the finest performances in Indian cinema.

Rekha continued to showcase her versatility with films like the romantic comedy Khubsoorat (1980), a light-hearted family drama where she played the lively and mischievous Manju. Her performance brought a refreshing charm to the film, earning her a Filmfare Award for Best Actress.

In Khoon Bhari Maang (1988), Rekha took on a more intense role as Aarti Verma, a woman seeking revenge after being betrayed and left for dead. This transformation from a victim to a vengeful survivor displayed her ability to tackle complex and powerful roles.

Rekha's performance in Silsila (1981) remains one of her most memorable. The film, which explored themes of love and infidelity, featured Rekha in a nuanced role that highlighted her ability to convey deep emotions. Her chemistry with Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan added layers to the film's dramatic narrative.

In her later career, Rekha continued to take on diverse roles, such as in Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), where she played a formidable antagonist. Her presence in the film industry remains significant, with her performances in films like the sci-fi coming-of-age drama Koi…Mil Gaya (2003) (and its 2006 sequel Krrish) and the family comedy Super Nani (2014) demonstrating her enduring talent and appeal.

Why is Umrao Jaan’s Rekha’s best movie to watch?

Umrao Jaan endures as a fascinating period piece featuring Rekha in her more graceful avatar. Her portrayal of the character’s grace, tragedy, and resilience remains unparalleled and is celebrated as one of the finest performances in Indian cinema.

Where can I watch the best Rekha movies online?

Below is a list that includes all the streaming services where you can watch the best Rekha movies. We also offer you deals to buy or rent these movies along with any options to watch them for free in India. 

Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Apple TV Plus
Apple TV
Crunchyroll
Hotstar
Jio Cinema
Zee5
Google Play Movies
MUBI
Sony Liv
YouTube
GuideDoc
Netflix Kids
Tubi TV
Sun Nxt
Hoichoi
Hungama Play
Alt Balaji
Curiosity Stream
EPIC ON
ShemarooMe
DOCSVILLE
Tata Play
Discovery+
ManoramaMax
MX Player
Spamflix
aha
Plex
WOW Presents Plus
Magellan TV
BroadwayHD
Filmzie
Lionsgate Play
MovieSaints
Dekkoo
True Story
DocAlliance Films
VI movies and tv
Eventive
ShortsTV Amazon Channel
Amazon Video
Cultpix
FilmBox+
Takflix
Amazon miniTV
AD tv
Shahid VIP
Bookmyshow
Lionsgate Play Apple TV Channel
Eros Now Select Apple TV Channel
Lionsgate Play Amazon Channel
MGM Amazon Channel
Crunchyroll Amazon Channel
Hoichoi Amazon Channel
ManoramaMAX Amazon Channel
Chaupal Amazon Channel
BBC Kids Amazon Channel
Sony Pictures Amazon Channel
Vrott Amazon Channel
Anime Times Amazon Channel
MyZen TV Amazon Channel
Museum Tv Amazon Channel
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  1. Umrao Jaan

    Umrao Jaan

    1981

    #1

    Amiran is sold to a brothel by a corrupt cop after her father testifies against him. Many years later, she grows up to be an accomplished poetess and a renowned courtesan, Umrao Jaan.

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  2. Ijaazat

    Ijaazat

    1987

    #2

    An estranged couple accidentally meet in a railway station's waiting room and revisit their past.

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  3. Khubsoorat

    Khubsoorat

    1980

    #3

    Nirmala Gupta rules her household with an iron fist. While most of her family resents it, they do comply and try to appease to her. When her daughter-in-law's free-spirited sister comes over to stay for a few days, things in the Gupta family start to change, agitating Nirmala.

  4. Silsila

    Silsila

    1981

    #4

    When his brother's tragic death leaves his pregnant fiancée devastated, playwright Amit selflessly marries her to protect her from societal contempt. However, when fate brings him face-to-face with his former flame, love proves to be stronger than marital vows.

  5. Namak Haraam

    Namak Haraam

    1973

    #5

    Somu and Vicky decide to exact revenge on the union leader, Bipinlal Pandey. However, when Somu understands the plight of the workers, it creates a rift between the two friends.

  6. Muqaddar Ka Sikandar

    #6

    Sikandar, an orphan, makes many friends and foes as he works his way up to become rich, but his heart only yearns for his unfulfilled childhood love, Kaamna. Though he finds temporary comfort in an enchanting prostitute named Zohra, all hell breaks loose when Kaamna falls for Sikandar's best friend.

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  7. Khoon Bhari Maang

    #7

    Nandini and Sanjay Verma are lovers, and they conspire to take over the vaste estate of Mr. Saxena and his only widowed daughter, Aarti, and her two children, with the help of Sanjay's maternal uncle Heeralal, a longtime employee of Saxena. After Saxena passes away suddenly, Sanjay woes Aarti and marries her. On a boating trip both Nandini and Sanjay do away with Aarti, making it look like an accident, and subsequently take over the entire Saxena estate. But Aarti survives, disfigured beyond recognition by a crocodile attack, With the help of plastic surgery transforms herself to a successful model, Jyoti. She then plans to carry out her vengeance against Sanjay, but finds that he has been physically abusing her children, pets, and servants. She must now decide to reveal her identity, or continue with her plan and be a spectator to the abuse on her loved ones. Written by rAjOo (gunwanti@hotmail.com)

  8. Kalyug

    Kalyug

    1981

    #8

    A tale of intrigue and rivalry between two wealthy brothers as they conspire to create havoc in the other's life.

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  9. Utsav

    Utsav

    1984

    #9

    Vasantasena, a courtesan who dances at the King Palaka's court hides in Charudatta's house while running away from the amorous attentions of the king's brother-in-law. She falls in love with Charudatta, though he is married and penniless.

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  10. Ghar

    Ghar

    1978

    #10

    Vikas, the son of a successful lawyer, disagrees with his father over his choice for his life partner; and marries his girlfriend Aarti. They enjoy the bliss of marriage, breaking away from the custom of staying with his widower father. Returning home from a date, they encounter a traumatic incident that makes headline news. This incident changes their lives forever. The trauma keeps intruding into their day to day lives. When Aarti's mother leaves town to take up a new job, the pressure on Aarti and Vikas brings them into the abyss of despair. Can they crawl out of self-hate and emotional estrangement and rekindle their love?

  11. Koi... Mil Gaya

    Koi... Mil Gaya

    2003

    #11

    A developmentally disabled boy's life changes after he encounters an extraterrestrial being.

  12. Lajja

    Lajja

    2001

    #12

    Vaidehi (Manisha Koirala) gets married to Raghuvir (Jackie Shroff), an NRI. Suffering the agony of an unhappy marriage, she decides to run away from him when she learns that she is pregnant and he wants to take the child away from her. In her pursuit for freedom, she meets Mythili (Mahima Chaudhury) a bride-to-be, Janaki (Madhuri Dixit) a theatre artist and Ramdulari (Rekha) a village midwife - all of whom are victims of male chauvinism. They however refuse to be put down and fight for their rights.

  13. Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi

    #13

    Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (English: Player of Players) is a 1996 Bollywood wrestling action thriller starring Rekha in her first villain role, Akshay Kumar, Raveena Tandon and former World Wrestling Federation wrestlers "Crush" and Brian Lee as "The Undertaker". It was one of the highest grossing movie of the year. It was the fourth installment in the Khiladi (film series).

  14. Krrish

    Krrish

    2006

    #14

    In Singapore, Krishna is forced by circumstances to use his superpowers and become a masked superhero named Krrish, before getting drawn towards his lost legacy.

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  15. Do Anjaane

    Do Anjaane

    1976

    #15

    A man (Amitabh Bachchan) is found wounded on railway tracks and when he awakens he has no memory of who he is and doesn't remember anything about his life.

  16. Jeevan Dhaara

    #16

    Mr. Shrivastav abandons his family for a life of hermitage. His family struggles to carry on financially in his absence, with two daughters: Sangeeta and Geeta forced to carry the burden of employment, while their brother Ashok gambles their earnings away.

  17. Bahurani

    Bahurani

    1989

    #17

    Amit wants to marry a modern woman but his parents get him married to a village girl, Madhuri. When Amit refuses to accept her as his wife, Madhuri reinvents herself as Malathi and re-enters his life.

  18. Suhaag

    Suhaag

    1994

    #18

    Collegian Ajay Sharma was born on 2nd April 1968 and lives in Bombay with his widowed mom, Asha. He is friendly with fellow-collegian, the wealthy Raj Sinha, and both often end up getting beat-up by goons and Madhu (Raj's girlfriend) respectively. After they graduate from college, Raj's maternal uncle asks Ajay to bring his birth certificate so that he could make his passport and find work for him in a department store in Canada. Ajay goes home to look for his birth certificate, but is unable to locate. His mother makes a show of helping him, but instead tears a document and tosses it outside. Ajay puts the document together and finds out that his real name is Ajay Malhotra, his father, Dr. Ravi Malhotra, is still alive, serving a life sentence in prison for killing and stealing a patient's organs. Ajay questions his mother and finds out that his dad was framed by the hospital owner, Rai Bahadur. He and Asha meet Ravi in prison and swear to avenge his humiliation.

  19. Aanchal

    Aanchal

    1980

    #19

    Hearts collide when the conniving Jaggan (Prem Chopra) convinces Kishan (Amol Palekar) that his wife, Shanti (Rakhee Gulzar), is having an affair with his brother Shambhu (Rajesh Khanna). Of course, all this is done so that Kishan will marry Jaggan's cousin Tulsi (Rekha) according to Jaggan's master plan … even though Tulsi would much rather marry Shambhu. Confused? Don't worry. So are these weary lovers!

  20. Phool Bane Angaray

    #20

    Dutta babu is standing for elections against a cunning, corrupt, & established gangster, Bishamber Prasad, who is also powerful and influential enough to swing the election his way, as well as have Dutta killed. Inspector Ranjit Singh gets evidence about Bishamber's involvement in Dutta's death, but his superior officer, DSP Ravi Khanna, prevents him from taking any action. Ranjit then meets with beautiful Namrata, and both get married. As Ranjit continues to be a thorn on Bishamber's side, he is killed, leaving behind a sorrowing Namrata and two children. Namrata pledges to avenge his death, but the question is when a police inspector failed, how can she succeed?