Rukhsar Rehman, known for her roles in films like Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) and PK (2014), has carved a niche in Indian cinema and television with her versatile performances. Her journey, marked by a Bollywood debut at 17, a forced marriage at 18, and a courageous escape with her infant daughter at 19, is a testament to her resilience.
In This Article:
Early Stardom and Bollywood Debut
Born on October 29, 1975, in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, to an IAS officer father, Lateefur Rehman Khan, and a Muslim family, Rukhsar Rehman dreamed of acting from childhood, inspired by icons like Mohammed Ali and Bruce Lee. At 17, while still in ninth standard, she landed her Bollywood debut in Deepak Anand’s Yaad Rakhegi Duniya (1992), starring opposite Aditya Pancholi.
That same year, she appeared in J.K. Bihari’s Inteha Pyar Ki with Rishi Kapoor, earning praise for her natural charm. Her talent caught the eye of filmmaker Sawan Kumar Tak, who offered a three-film deal, but she declined, leading to her replacement in Sanam Bewafa (1991). Despite offers for major films like Baazigar and Roja, her family deemed acting disreputable, pressuring her to abandon her career.
Marriage, Motherhood, and Escape
At 18, Rukhsar’s parents arranged her marriage to Asad Ahmed, halting her promising career. By 19, she had become a mother to her daughter, Aisha Ahmed, now an actress known for adulting. The marriage, however, was toxic, and in 1994, Rukhsar fled with her eight-month-old daughter, facing societal judgment for divorcing young.
In a Humans of Bombay interview, she recalled, “I packed as much as I could and left one night,” returning to Rampur. There, she opened a garment boutique to support herself, but her passion for acting lingered. Leaving Aisha with her parents, she moved to Mumbai in 2005 to restart her career, a decision she described as her hardest, driven by the desire to give Aisha a better life.
Comeback and Career Revival
Rukhsar’s return began with Ram Gopal Varma’s D (2005), where she played Randeep Hooda’s girlfriend, followed by Sarkar (2005). Facing rejections, she persevered, landing roles in films like God Tussi Great Ho (2008) as Salman Khan’s sister, The Stoneman Murders (2009), where critic Taran Adarsh called her a “complete natural,” and Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) as a nurse.
Her filmography also includes Shaitan (2011), PK (2014), 83 (2021), and the Malayalam film Take Off (2017). On television, she shone as Dr. Mallika in Kuch Toh Log Kahenge (2011–13) and Lavanya in Tumhari Paakhi (2013–14), connecting deeply with audience. Her digital debut in The Gone Game (2020), shot at home during COVID-19, showcased her adaptability, encouraged by Aisha and then-husband Faruk Kabir.
Personal Life and Recent Work
Rukhsar married filmmaker Faruk Kabir in 2010 after six years of dating, but the couple separated in February 2023, filing for divorce after 13 years. Aisha, now a rising star, shares a close, friendly bond with her mother, both facing challenges like housing discrimination in Mumbai due to their Muslim identity, as Aisha noted on Instagram in 2023. Rukhsar remains active, with upcoming films Uttar Da Puttar and a cameo in Thanks Maa. Her fitness routine and love for poetry, shared on Instagram, reflect her vibrant persona.
-By Manoj H
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