2. Rekha grew up in neglect as her father allegedly never acknowledged her younger sister and her. Growing up in Chennai, at a young age, she was pushed into acting to support her family.
3. Rekha made her debut in Telegu films as a child actor. It is alleged that her mother Pushpavalli got into gambling in a big way and with no support from her father, Rekha had to take to acting.
4. In 1969, aged only 15, she made her adult debut in the Kannada film, Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999.
5. While shooting Anjana Safar, the first Hindi film she signed, a 15-year-old Rekha was forcefully kissed by the lead actor Biswajeet for a scene. Both the director Raja Nawathe and Biswajeet had planned this out unbeknownst to Rekha, leaving her feel cheated and exploited.
6. Sawan Bhadon (1970) was her Hindi debut film.
7. She made heads turn and tongues wag when she showed up at the wedding of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh wearing a generous amount of sindoor and a big red bindi.