Rekha turns 66: Bollywood, fans wish the diva

"Happy Birthday wishes go out today to dear Rekha. We have been good friends for many years now and I always wish her happiness and prosperity in life. Have a great day and year dear friend," actor-politician Hema Malini tweeted

The iconic Rekha turned 66 on Saturday, and wishes have been pouring in from friends and fans all through the day.

“Happy Birthday wishes go out today to dear Rekha. We have been good friends for many years now and I always wish her happiness and prosperity in life. Have a great day and year dear friend,” actor-politician Hema Malini tweeted, along with a picture collage of the two superstar actors who were contemporaries in their heydays.

Urmila Matondkar wrote: “Star-struck. Happy Birthday Most Gorgeous #Rekha ji. Thank you for sharing love n warmth both on n off screen. Love you to moon and back.”

“Wish you a very happy birthday Rekha Maa. The love that you shower, the aura around you, and the affection you lavish me…with are all so pure. May you continue to shine brighter and spread positivity like only you can,” Shilpa Shetty wrote on Instagram Story.

Wishes also poured in from fans, who have been sharing pictures of the actress to posting scenes from her movies. “You are one in a billion; we respect you from the bottom of our heart,” a fan wrote on the microblogging site.

“Happy birthday Rekha ma’am. You look so beautiful,” another user one wished.

Rekha started her acting career as a child artiste in the 1958 Telugu film, Inti Guttu, and she made her Bollywood debut in Mohan Segal’s 1970 release, Sawan Bhadon, opposite Navin Nischol. Many consider the 1976 release, Do Anjaane to be her breakthrough film. She impressed essaying a role with grey shades.

She has acted in over 180 Hindi films and won a National Film Award in 1982 for her role in Muzaffar Ali’s Umrao Jaan. In 2010, she was a recipient of Padma Shri for her contribution to the arts. In hero-dominated Bollywood of the seventies, eighties and nineties, Rekha was a rare actor who regularly scored with heroine-centric films such as Ijaazat, Khubsoorat, Umrao Jaan, Ghar, Khoon Bhari Maang, Utsav, Jhoothi, Biwi Ho To Aisi, Jeevan Dhaara, Sansar, Azaad Desh Ke Gulam and Phool Bane Angaray,among many others.

In a career spanning nearly 50 years, Rekha has scored numerous memorable roles in Bollywood films across genres. She is considered a Bollywood style icon for her ethnic statements, particularly in signature Kanjeevaram saris.