Jackie Shroff wishes Rakhee Gulzar on her 79th birthday
Synopsis
Born on the very day India gained independence in 1947, Rakhee Gulzar turned 79 on 15 August — and her Ram Lakhan co-star Jackie Shroff marked the occasion with a nostalgic social media tribute. The post, set to the classic song Aaj Madhosh Hua Jaye Re, is a reminder of a filmography that spans five decades, a National Film Award, and a Padma Shri.
Key Takeaways
Jackie Shroff wished veteran actress Rakhee Gulzar on her 79th birthday on 15 August via social media.
Shroff shared a photo of Rakhee in a traditional pink saree, set to the song Aaj Madhosh Hua Jaye Re .
Rakhee was born on 15 August 1947 in Ranaghat, West Bengal — the same day India gained independence.
Her career highlights include a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Shubho Mahurat and the Padma Shri in 2003 .
Rakhee and Jackie Shroff co-starred in Ram Lakhan (1989) and Khal Nayak (1993), both directed by Subhash Ghai .
She is married to poet-lyricist Gulzar and is the mother of director Meghna Gulzar .
Bollywood star Jackie Shroff took to social media on 15 August 2025 to extend warm birthday wishes to veteran actress Rakhee Gulzar, who turned 79 on Independence Day — a date she has shared with the nation since her birth on 15 August 1947 in Ranaghat, West Bengal.
Jackie's Tribute
Shroff shared a photograph of Rakhee dressed in a traditional pink saree, captioning it with a heartfelt 'Happy Birthday' message. He paired the post with the iconic song Aaj Madhosh Hua Jaye Re as the background score, evoking nostalgia for an era of Hindi cinema that Rakhee helped define.
A Career That Defined an Era
Born on the very day India attained independence from British rule, Rakhee began her acting journey with the Bengali film Badhu Bharan in 1967, before making her Hindi film debut with Jeevan Mrityu in 1970. She went on to become one of the most celebrated leading ladies of the 1970s and 1980s, with a filmography spanning Sharmeelee, Daag: A Poem of Love, Kabhi Kabhie, Tapasya, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Kaala Patthar, Jurmana, Barsaat Ki Ek Raat, and Shakti.
Her later career demonstrated equal range: performances in Ram Lakhan, Baazigar, Karan Arjun, and Border underscored her versatility across genres. Her portrayal in director Rituparno Ghosh's Shubho Mahurat earned her the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. She was subsequently honoured with the Padma Shri in 2003.
On-Screen Bond with Jackie Shroff
The birthday wish carries a personal warmth rooted in shared screen history. Rakhee and Jackie Shroff appeared together in Subhash Ghai's blockbuster Ram Lakhan (1989), alongside Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit. The duo reunited on screen in Ghai's Khal Nayak (1993), which also featured Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit.
Personal Life
Off screen, Rakhee is married to legendary lyricist and poet Gulzar and is the mother of acclaimed director Meghna Gulzar. Her birthday falling on Independence Day has long made it a moment of double celebration — for the actress and for the country she grew up with.
Point of View
But it also risks reducing a formidable career to a calendar coincidence. The more meaningful story is her longevity — five decades of work across Bengali and Hindi cinema, a National Film Award, and a Padma Shri that mainstream retrospectives rarely revisit in depth. Jackie Shroff's tribute is a warm gesture, but Rakhee's body of work deserves more than a birthday post cycle to bring it back into cultural conversation.
NationPress
15 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jackie Shroff wish Rakhee Gulzar on 15 August?
Jackie Shroff shared a birthday tribute for veteran actress Rakhee Gulzar on 15 August because that is her birthday — she was born on 15 August 1947 in Ranaghat, West Bengal, the same day India gained independence. The post featured a photo of Rakhee and the song Aaj Madhosh Hua Jaye Re.
How old is Rakhee Gulzar in 2025?
Rakhee Gulzar turned 79 years old on 15 August 2025. She was born on 15 August 1947, making her exactly as old as independent India.
What films did Rakhee and Jackie Shroff do together?
Rakhee and Jackie Shroff co-starred in two Subhash Ghai films — Ram Lakhan (1989), which also featured Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit, and Khal Nayak (1993), which also starred Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit.
What awards has Rakhee Gulzar won?
Rakhee Gulzar won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in director Rituparno Ghosh's Shubho Mahurat. She was also awarded the Padma Shri in 2003 for her contributions to Indian cinema.
Who is Rakhee Gulzar married to?
Rakhee Gulzar is married to celebrated lyricist and poet Gulzar. The couple's daughter, Meghna Gulzar, is an acclaimed Bollywood director.
