Rekha’s mother, actress Pushpavalli, made her mark in Tamil and Telugu cinema but remained in headlines more for her personal life than her acting career.
Published: September 14, 2025 6:23 PM IST
Before ruling Hindi films, several iconic Bollywood actresses started their acting journey in South Indian cinema. Names like Hema Malini, Rekha, Vaijayanti Mala, Jaya Prada, and Sridevi all worked in Tamil or Telugu films before making it big in Mumbai. Among them, Rekha’s story stands out, not only for her career but also because of her mother’s unusual and often turbulent life.
Who was Rekha’s mother, Pushpavalli?
Rekha’s mother, Pushpavalli, was a successful actress in Tamil and Telugu films. She rose to fame after playing the role of Sita in Sampoorna Ramayanam. Interestingly, she had already portrayed Sita once in a 1936 film, where she was paid Rs 300 for the role—a significant amount at the time. Her biggest hit came with the 1942 Telugu film Bala Nagamma, where she played a key supporting role.
In 1947, she acted in Miss Malini, her most critically acclaimed work. While the film won praise from critics, it failed at the box office. Despite her acting talent, Pushpavalli remained in the news more for her personal relationships than for her film career.
What happened in her personal life?
Pushpavalli married in 1940, but the marriage soon turned bitter. Just six years later, she separated from her husband. Around this time, her career took a turn when she starred opposite actor Gemini Ganesan in Miss Malini. Their on-screen chemistry soon turned into a real-life romance.
Though both were married to other people, Pushpavalli and Gemini Ganesan entered into a long-term relationship. However, he never gave her the status of a wife. Despite that, Pushpavalli lived with him as his partner and bore him two daughters, Rekha, who would go on to become a legendary actress in Bollywood, and Radha, who later settled in the United States after marriage.
How did Pushpavalli’s career and life end?
Throughout her acting career, Pushpavalli mostly played supporting roles, occasionally stepping into lead roles. Yet her personal struggles often overshadowed her professional achievements. She passed away in 1991, leaving behind a legacy tied not just to her own films but also to the stardom of her daughter Rekha.
How did Rekha follow in her mother’s footsteps?
Pushpavalli always wished her daughter would continue in films, and Rekha did just that. Rekha made her screen debut at the age of 12 in the Telugu film Rangula Ratnam. By 15, she was working in Bollywood, with her first Hindi film Anjana Safar (later released as Do Shikari).
Like her mother, Rekha also experienced turmoil in her personal life. Both their first marriages failed. However, Rekha surpassed her mother’s fame, becoming one of Bollywood’s most celebrated stars, with a career filled with iconic roles and unforgettable performances.
Highlights
- Rekha’s mother, Pushpavalli, was a known actress in Tamil and Telugu cinema.
- She was in a long-term relationship with actor Gemini Ganesan, which produced two daughters.
- Pushpavalli’s life mirrored the turbulence her daughter Rekha, would also face later.
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