Rekha turns 72: Juhi Chawla, Hema Malini, Shatrughan lead birthday wishes
Synopsis
Rekha's 72nd birthday drew a rare wave of personal tributes from Bollywood's old guard — Juhi Chawla shared rare photos, Shatrughan Sinha called her a 'mystic, mysterious woman' on X, and Saira Banu unearthed a tender memory of a young Rekha admiring her eye makeup at Filmistan. The outpouring is a reminder of just how deeply the legend is woven into the fabric of Hindi cinema.
Key Takeaways
Rekha celebrated her 72nd birthday on 10 October 2026 .
Juhi Chawla posted two rare photographs with Rekha on Instagram , calling her a 'powerhouse of talent' and a 'true style icon and diva'.
Hema Malini shared a personal photo and wished Rekha 'joy, good health and prosperity'.
Shatrughan Sinha posted birthday wishes on X (formerly Twitter) , calling Rekha an 'epitome of elegance and style'.
Saira Banu recalled fond memories of a young Rekha watching makeup artist Dinu Endulkar work at Filmistan .
Veteran Bollywood actress Rekha celebrated her 72nd birthday on Saturday, 10 October 2026, drawing a flood of warm wishes from across the Hindi film industry. From rare throwback photographs to heartfelt personal memories, her contemporaries and colleagues marked the occasion with tributes befitting a legend.
Juhi Chawla's Warm Tribute
Actress Juhi Chawla was among the first to share her birthday wishes publicly, posting two rare photographs with Rekha on her official Instagram handle. In the primary image, the two actresses were seen embracing warmly alongside acclaimed designer Manish Malhotra. A second photograph captured Rekha planting an affectionate peck on Juhi's cheek.
"Happyyy birthdaayy to the one and only, beautiful Rekha ji. Graceful and strong, a powerhouse of talent, a true style icon and a diva. Someone I have always shared so much warmth and affection with," Juhi wrote in her caption, calling the Silsila actress a 'powerhouse of talent' and a 'true style icon and diva'.
Hema Malini and Shatrughan Sinha Join the Celebrations
Actress and politician Hema Malini shared a close-up photograph of herself posing with Rekha, accompanying it with a heartfelt message: "Happy birthday dear Rekha God bless you always with joy, good health and prosperity." The two have shared a long personal friendship spanning decades in the industry.
Veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to extend his wishes, calling Rekha a 'mystic, mysterious woman' and an 'epitome of elegance and style'. He wrote: "Lots of love for our own, mystic, mysterious woman #Rekha. Epitome of elegance & style. May you be abundantly blessed with great well-being always. #BirthdayWishes."
Saira Banu Recalls Memories at Filmistan
Veteran actress Saira Banu offered perhaps the most intimate tribute, sharing a vivid personal memory from their early days shooting together at Filmistan. She recalled how a young Rekha would often visit her makeup room to watch makeup artiste Dinu Endulkar at work.
"She would sit on the sofa, watching him work on my eyes, and say to me, 'Saira Ji, I want to copy these eyes the way Dinu does them for you!' I can still picture her sitting there, observing every little detail with such interest," Saira wrote, painting a portrait of Rekha as a quietly determined and observant young actress.
A Legacy That Continues to Inspire
Rekha, known for iconic films including Silsila, Umrao Jaan, and Khubsoorat, remains one of Hindi cinema's most enduring and enigmatic figures. Her 72nd birthday celebrations underline the deep personal bonds she has forged with co-stars and the continued reverence the industry holds for her. Many prominent names from across Bollywood joined in wishing the legendary actress on her special day.
Point of View
The intimacy of these messages stands out. Rekha has remained a singular presence in Hindi cinema precisely because she has never been fully explained — and clearly, even those who know her best still find her worth celebrating in the most personal terms.
NationPress
10 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Rekha in 2026?
Rekha turned 72 years old on 10 October 2026 . She is one of Bollywood's most enduring actresses, known for films such as Umrao Jaan , Silsila , and Khubsoorat .
What did Juhi Chawla post for Rekha's birthday?
Juhi Chawla posted two rare photographs with Rekha on her official Instagram handle — one showing the two embracing alongside designer Manish Malhotra, and another of Rekha giving Juhi a peck on the cheek. She called Rekha a 'powerhouse of talent, a true style icon and a diva'.
What did Shatrughan Sinha say about Rekha on her birthday?
Shatrughan Sinha posted a birthday wish on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, calling Rekha a 'mystic, mysterious woman' and an 'epitome of elegance and style', and wishing her 'great well-being always'.
What memory did Saira Banu share about Rekha?
Saira Banu recalled their days shooting at Filmistan, where a young Rekha would visit her makeup room to watch makeup artiste Dinu Endulkar work on her eyes. She wrote that Rekha would say, 'Saira Ji, I want to copy these eyes the way Dinu does them for you!'
Which other Bollywood celebrities wished Rekha on her birthday?
Among the prominent names who wished Rekha were Juhi Chawla, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha, and Saira Banu. Many other figures from the Hindi film industry also extended their greetings on her 72nd birthday.
