Portraits

Wednesday, 21 October 2026

Rekha: The 90s perm, mirror, face

Rekha's unfortunate marriage to Mukesh

War and Peace - the Rekha edition

What Happened to Mukesh Agarwal

In March 1990, Rekha married Delhi-based industrialist and television manufacturer Mukesh Agarwal. However, the marriage was short-lived and troubled. Mukesh struggled with severe chronic depression.

Rekha was 35 years old when she married Mukesh Agarwal. She tied the knot with the Delhi-based industrialist on March 4, 1990 (and later held a religious ceremony at the Tirupati Temple in April 1990), a few months before turning 36.

Just seven months after their wedding, on October 2, 1990, Mukesh tragically died by suicide at his farmhouse in Delhi while Rekha was away in London for a concert performance. He hanged himself using Rekha’s dupatta (scarf). In his suicide note, Mukesh explicitly stated that no one was to be held responsible for his death and that he left nothing behind for Rekha.

The Media Backlash & Rekha’s Defamation Lawsuits

Following his death, a intense public and media witch-hunt ensued against Rekha. Prominent film magazines, tabloids, and family members vilified her, branding her a "national vamp," a "black widow," and holding her responsible for his suicide.

To counter the hostile reporting and sensationalized headlines:

Legal Action: In late 1990, Rekha pushed back legally and filed defamation lawsuits against several prominent film publications and tabloids—most notably Cine Blitz—for printing libelous and speculative claims regarding her marriage, character, and husband's suicide.
Outcome: Like many high-profile libel suits in the Indian film industry during that era, the cases dragged through legal channels and were largely settled, withdrawn, or dropped as public attention waned. Ultimately, few journalists or publications faced legal penalties or formally issued retractions, leaving many of the commentators and publications to move on without significant legal consequences.

Despite the intense scrutiny and hostility from the media, Rekha chose dignified silence, rarely addressing the tragic period publicly in subsequent years and maintaining her privacy.

The Outcome: Stardust publisher Nari Hira later noted that Rekha's suit functioned essentially as a blanket legal effort attempting to halt media coverage regarding her marriage and Mukesh’s death. Over time, as media focus shifted and public attention faded, the legal proceedings stalled in courts or were quietly allowed to lapse. No major damages were awarded, and few publications were forced into formal retractions, but the initial court filing successfully chilled the aggressive tabloid onslaught. In later years, relations between Rekha and Stardust normalized, with the publication continuing to feature her on its covers and at its industry awards.

The Illustrated Weekly of India Cover Story

Amid the hostile tabloid reporting in late 1990, Rekha chose to break her silence selectively. Rather than engaging with the film gossip press, she gave an exclusive, in-depth cover feature to The Illustrated Weekly of India (edited by Pritish Nandy) in December 1990.

The Cover Story: Titled "Rekha Defends Herself" (penned by veteran journalist Rauf Ahmed), the cover story provided her a dignified, serious platform to share her side of the story.
Her Defense: In the interview, she addressed the vicious media smear campaign, spoke candidly about her marriage, clarified the circumstances surrounding Mukesh's long-standing struggles with mental health, and confronted the "witch-hunt" atmosphere generated by the press.
Impact: The Illustrated Weekly feature marked a turning point in public discourse. By stepping out of the gossip circuit to speak with a major national news and literary publication, Rekha successfully reframed the story, reclaimed control of her narrative, and gradually retreated back into her private sphere.

Tuesday, 20 October 2026

Rekha

Rekha in this Greek inspred white and gold sari. Anyone recognise the look - from which film is it? Pls comment below.

Monday, 19 October 2026

Rekha on the cover of New Delhi: The Asian Newsmagazine

Mizoram: Is Laldenga fooling Mrs Gandhi?

October 27–November 10, 1980 | Rupees 3

New Delhi The Asian newsmagazine

Rekha: Sex goddess to No. 1 heroine?

Life & loves of a tempestuous woman

Sunday, 18 October 2026

Rekha: And the 80s fashionable fabric turban

Saturday, 17 October 2026

Rekha: Gold Jewellery: The Black Turtleneck

Gold jewellery, a statement necklace. Heavy makeup and the black turtleneck... this template has been used in so many ad campaigns today - but the blueprint was created by THE Rekha...