Her wine eyes, a prism of myriad emotions. Her poignant voice holding back the surging sadness. Raakhee was the stuff for rubaiyats (verse). The Bengali beauty spawned a legion of admirers for her old-world mystique. A perfect ode to her exquisiteness was the role she essayed in Kabhi Kabhie. She played the beautiful muse, whose parting leaves poet Amitabh Bachchan devastated - the narrative said to have reiterated lyricist/poet Sahir Ludhianvi’s real life heartbreak. Yash Chopra’s musical not only brought out Raakhee from post-marriage hibernation but it also proved that married actresses could still charm the marquee. Ironically, Kabhi Kabhie marked the end of her brief marriage to celebrated poet Gulzar. And yet threw open a second innings for the actress who then went on to star in blockbusters that left critics overwhelmed and art house actors envious. From initially being compared to actress Nimmi (given her hazel eyes) and later to Meena Kumari (given her proclivity towards the tragic), Raakhee cut through it all to stand apart…
Raakhee played a double role in one of her early films Sharmilee
EARLY IMPRESSIONS
Raakhee’s birth coincided with the birth of free India – on August 15, 1947. The almond-eyed beauty was born in Ranaghat, a village in West Bengal. While still in her teens, Raakhee had an arranged marriage with journalist-turned-Bengali filmmaker Ajoy Biswas. But the alliance didn’t last long. In the meanwhile she debuted with the Bengali film Badhu Baran (1967) in Kolkata. Sunil Dutt then cast her in Reshma Aur Shera (1972) where she played a new bride whose husband becomes a victim of family politics. She played the young bride of zamindar Raaj Kumar in Lal Patthar (1971) who invokes the ire of his mistress Hema Malini. It was Rajashri Films’ Jeevan Mrityu (1970), which infused life in her career. Her duet Jhil mil sitaron ka aangan hoga with Dharmendra is still hot on the retro charts. Her saree-clad avatar endeared her as the ‘ideal Indian wife’. Subodh Mukherjee’s Sharmilee (1971), where she played a double role opposite Shashi Kapoor, established her credentials as a versatile mainstream heroine. Later, she appeared with Dharmendra and Shatrughan Sinha in Blackmail (1973), a performance she rates one of her finest. Pal pal dil ke paas from the film remains a top romantic track till date.
(Clockwise) Much like her acting prowess, Raakhee’s pick of sarees also won appreciation. Here, she’s seen donning the traditional red-white Bengali saree, her favourite, in Paroma.
Raakhee played the glamorous lady boss in Ramesh Talwar’s Doosra Aadmi, a romance between an older woman and a younger man.
Snapped taking a nap in the confines of a van during the shoot of Reshma Aur Shera in Rajasthan.
Raakhee, a great cook in real life, is seen kneading flour with co-star Jeetendra on the set of a film.
A pregnant Jaya Bachchan bends down to seek Raakhee’s blessings (Jaya refers to Gulzar as Bhai) as Pam Chopra looks on.
A COLLAGE OF MOVIES and MEMORIES
Raakhee forged onscreen partnerships with several heroes. She worked with Rajesh Khanna in Shehzada (1972), Daag (1973) – A Poem Of Love and Aanchal (1980). In the latter she played his sister-in-law who’s accused of having an affair with him. She was paired opposite Dev Anand in films like Heera Panna, Banarasi Babu, Lootmaar and Joshila (all in 1973). She did two films with Parikshit Sahni – Tapasya (1976) and Humkadam (1980). Both were acclaimed hits.
With Sanjeev Kumar she did Paras (1971), Hamare Tumhare (1979) and Shrimaan Shrimaati (1982). Raakhee worked with Shashi Kapoor in 10 films including – Sharmilee (1971), Jaanwar Aur Insaan (1972), Kabhi Kabhie (1976), the critically acclaimed Trishna (1978), Pighalta Aasman (1985) and Doosra Aadmi (1977).
She formed a great pair with Amitabh Bachchan too. The duo shared an emotional chemistry on screen – a rapport that went beyond the physical. They captivated audiences in Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Muqaddar Ka Sikander (1977), Trishul (1978), Kaala Patthar (1979), Barsaat Ki Ek Raat, Jurmana (both in 1979) and
Bemisal (1982).
Within the commercial framework, Raakhee was fortunate to do women-centric films. Ramesh Talwar’s Doosra Aadmi (1977) had her playing an architect who’s drawn towards her young employer because he reminds her of her deceased lover. If Shradhanjali had her playing the avenging angel then Basera (both in 1982) had her playing the sister who acts insane to restore sanity in her sister Rekha’s life. But what stands as a path-breaking performance was her role in Aparna Sen’s film Paroma (1984). Here, she played a 40-plus housewife, who finds self-expression and fulfillment through an illicit relationship.
With Dimple Kapdia in Rudali (top) and with Rahul Sharma in Paroma (bottom)
(clockwise) Stills from Kabhi Kabhie, Shakti and Karan Arjun
PLAYING MOTHER
Unlike other actresses who resisted playing mother on screen, Raakhee had no qualms doing that. In fact Raakhee, who played Amitabh Bachchan’s love interest in many films, essayed the role of his mother in Shakti (1982). She beautifully balanced the father-son acrimony as witnessed through Dilip Kumar and Amitabh. Then on she played mother to actors including Anil Kapoor (Ram Lakhan 1989), Sanjay Dutt (Khalnayak 1993), Akshay Kumar (Saugandh 1991) and Shah Rukh Khan (Baazigar 1993, Karan Arjun 1995, Baadshah, 1999). A mention must also be made about Kalpana Lajmi’s Rudali (1993), where she played a professional mourner. She quit acting in the millennium and her last appearance was in Rituparno Ghosh’s Shubho Muhurat (2003) with once arch rival Sharmila Tagore. She played an aunt who helps her journalist niece solve a murder mystery. She won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.
(clockwise)
Daughter Meghna having a hair cut as mother Raakhee looks on.
Young Meghna gets an affectionate hug from mother Raakhee as father Gulzar looks on.
Parents Gulzar and Raakhee perform the rites as Meghna weds Govind Sandhu.
Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu wish newlyweds Gulzar and Raakhee.
FAMILY TIME
Raakhee married poet and filmmaker Gulzar on May 15, 1973. Apparently, it was Gulzar’s love for Bengal and its culture that drew him to the Bengali beauty. Reportedly, they separated just one year after daughter Meghna was born. It’s believed that the relationship soured when Raakhee decided to return to films and the last straw came when she signed Yash Chopra’s Kabhi Kabhie.
It was a painful decision and Gulzar reportedly dubbed wife Raakhee as, ‘the longest short story of my life...’ Few years ago, Meghna, a filmmaker (of Filhaal fame), married investment banker Govind Sandhu. They have a son, Samay. While Raakhee is known to spend most of her time at her farm in Panvel, Gulzar continues his romance with poetry.
Raakhee receiving the Filmfare Award from husband Gulzar
Filmfare Awards
Best Supporting Actress - Daag: A Poem of Love (1973)
Best Actress - Tapasya (1976)
Best Supporting Actress - Ram Lakhan (1989)