Rekha turns 72: Hema Malini shares unseen photos, recalls Chennai dance days
Synopsis
Hema Malini's birthday post for Rekha goes beyond warm wishes — it unlocks a rarely told story of two Bollywood legends who first met as young girls in a Chennai dance class, where a spirited Rekha was notorious for skipping rehearsals under the watchful eye of guru Vempati Chinna Satyam.
Key Takeaways
Rekha turned 72 on 10 October 2026 ; Hema Malini shared unseen photographs to mark the occasion.
Hema wrote: 'Happy birthday dear Rekha God bless you always with joy, good health and prosperity.' Both actresses first met as young girls at Kuchipudi dance classes in Chennai under guru Vempati Chinna Satyam .
A young Rekha reportedly played Narad Muni in a Kuchipudi ballet based on the story of Krishna, Rukmini and Satyabhama .
Their mothers — Pushpavalli and Jaya Chakravarty — shared the same birthday, 3 January , further bonding the two families.
The duo has appeared together in films including Dharmatma , Gora Aur Kala , and Jaan Hatheli Pe .
Veteran actor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member of parliament Hema Malini extended warm birthday wishes to her longtime friend and fellow screen legend Rekha, who celebrated her 72nd birthday on Saturday, 10 October 2026. Hema shared rare photographs of the two actresses together on her social media account, marking decades of friendship between two of Hindi cinema's most iconic figures.
The Birthday Post
Posting a picture of the two veteran stars smiling closely together, Hema wrote: 'Happy birthday dear Rekha God bless you always with joy, good health and prosperity.' The image, which quickly drew attention from fans of both actresses, captures the warmth of a bond forged long before either woman became a household name in Bollywood.
A Friendship Rooted in Chennai Dance Classes
The roots of their friendship stretch back to their early years in Chennai, as Hema revealed during an episode of the singing reality show Indian Idol. At the time, Hema was training in Bharatanatyam and had also taken up Kuchipudi under renowned dance guru Vempati Chinna Satyam. A much younger Rekha was also attending the same dance classes.
Hema recalled Rekha's playful, spirited nature during those sessions — noting that their guru would frequently complain that the young girl would slip away from rehearsals, making it near-impossible to keep track of her. The anecdote paints a vivid picture of a precocious talent who was never easy to contain.
Rekha as Narad Muni: An Early Stage Memory
Among Hema's most cherished early memories is a stage performance in which a young Rekha played the role of Narad Muni in a Kuchipudi dance ballet based on the story of Krishna, Rukmini and Satyabhama. Hema described her as 'adorable' in the costume and praised her as having delivered a wonderful performance — a remarkable early indicator of the star she would become.
A Family Bond Beyond the Screen
The friendship between the two families runs even deeper, according to Hema. She revealed that their respective mothers — Pushpavalli and Jaya Chakravarty — shared the same birthday, 3 January, and that both families would celebrate the occasion together. This coincidence added another layer of closeness to what was already an enduring personal bond.
Their On-Screen Collaborations
Beyond their off-screen camaraderie, Hema Malini and Rekha have shared screen space across multiple films spanning different phases of their careers. Their joint filmography includes Gora Aur Kala, Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja, Dharmatma, Apne Apne, and Jaan Hatheli Pe. As Rekha steps into her 73rd year, the birthday tribute from Hema is a reminder that some of Hindi cinema's deepest friendships were formed not on set, but in a dance studio far from Mumbai.
Point of View
But Hema Malini's tribute to Rekha is a rare archival find — it surfaces a pre-stardom chapter of Rekha's life that is almost entirely absent from mainstream coverage of either actress. The Chennai dance-class anecdotes, told on Indian Idol, reveal that Rekha's magnetic unpredictability was present long before the camera ever found her. What the tribute also quietly signals is the staying power of south Indian classical dance training as the common foundation of an entire generation of Bollywood stars — a cultural thread that rarely gets its due in the industry's own mythology.
NationPress
10 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Rekha's birthday significant in 2026?
Rekha turned 72 on 10 October 2026 , a milestone celebrated publicly by her longtime friend and fellow actor Hema Malini, who shared rare photographs and personal memories of their decades-long bond.
How did Hema Malini and Rekha first meet?
The two actresses first met as young girls in Chennai , where both attended Kuchipudi dance classes under renowned guru Vempati Chinna Satyam . Hema Malini revealed this during an appearance on the reality show Indian Idol .
What films have Hema Malini and Rekha appeared in together?
The two have shared screen space in several films, including Gora Aur Kala , Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja , Dharmatma , Apne Apne , and Jaan Hatheli Pe , spanning different phases of their careers.
What did Hema Malini say about Rekha's early dance days?
Hema recalled that a young Rekha was known for running away from dance rehearsals, much to their guru's frustration. She also described Rekha's portrayal of Narad Muni in a Kuchipudi ballet as 'adorable' and memorable.
Did Hema Malini and Rekha share a family connection beyond films?
Yes — Hema revealed that their mothers, Pushpavalli and Jaya Chakravarty , shared the same birthday on 3 January , and that both families would celebrate the occasion together, deepening a bond that went well beyond professional collaboration.
