Raakhee Gulzar

Raakhee Gulzar Biography

Raakhee Gulzar is one among the most talented actresses of Bollywood who ruled the industry during 70’s. She was born just hours after Indian independence in 1947. She debut Bollywood with Jeevan Mrityu opposite Dharmendrain 1970s. Born as a Bengali, she debut silver screen with Badhu Baran – a Bengali movie in the year 1967. She is considered one among the gifted heroines of Bollywood with natural looks and she has acted with almost all actors including Dharmendra, Sasi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna and Vinod Khanna, of which she was most successful with Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor.  

She acted 10 movies with Shashi kapoor of which 8 became successful. Sharmilee, Kabhi Kabhi, Trishna and Basera can be included in the hit list. Second most sucecsful actor is Amitabh Bachchan. Together they acted in a series of movies – Muquaddar ka sikander, Barsat ki raat, Kaala pathar, Kabhi kabhi, Jurmana, Kasme wade, Bemisaal and Trishul and all of them are successful movies too. It can be said that Raakhee is a lucky heroine with whom Big B’s major hits like Muquaddar ka sikander, Trishul and Kabhi kabhi were done.

In her debut Hindi movie, she did the role of a homely wife. But in the second movie, Sharmilee opposite SHashi kapoor she did the double role. Beautiful S.D.Burman tunes and glamorous role of Raakhee brought her fame and popularity and after that she was casted in both types of roles. She handled both nicely too! Then she became a part of many remarkable movies of Bollywood like Black mail, Shehzaada, Tapasya, Heera Panna and Daag. In Yash Chopra’s Daag, she acted along with Rakesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore and this love triangle is remembered most for its strange climax and beautiful songs.

Her career was at its peak during middle 70’s and she delivered a couple of hit movies opposite Big B this time. Title song of Kabhi Kabhi and Pal Pal of Black mail are still evergreen romantic numbers of all music lovers. Surprisingly she did the role of Big B’s mother in Shakthi and Lawaris. Slowly she began to accept supporting actress roles. She did the role of a typical Indian mother in many movies like Ram Lakhan, Baazigar, Karan Arjun, Border, Soldier, Khal nayak and Jeevan ek sangursh.

It’s not at easy to list this great actress’ contributions and awards. She carries the record of maximum nominations in Filmfare – 16; 8 for leading actress and 8 for supporting role. She has won best actress award once for her performance in Tapasya and for supporting role 2 times – for Daag and Ram lakhan. She won best actress supporting role award in National category for her last acted Bengali movie – Shubho Muhorat. She married Gulzar but got separated soon after the birth of Meghna Gulzar – a famous director of present times. Yet they are not divorced till now.   

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Updated: May 02, 2013