There was one heroine who charmed audiences with her grace and charisma in the 1930s. Her daughter would go on to become one of the greatest actresses of her time.
Several veteran actresses, including Hema Malini, Rekha, Vyjayanthimala, Parveen Babi, Zeenat Aman, and others, once ruled Bollywood. Some of these actresses, such as Jaya Prada and Sridevi, also won hearts in South Indian cinema. However, even before these stars, there was one heroine who charmed audiences with her grace and charisma in the 1930s. Her daughter would go on to become one of the greatest actresses of her time. If you’re wondering who we’re talking about, it’s none other than Rekha’s mother, Pushpavalli. While her professional life made headlines, her personal life was often in turmoil.
Did you know that Pushpavalli fell in love with a man who was already married—not once, but twice? Despite their intense connection, they never married. Pushpavalli later became the mother of two daughters, one of whom, Rekha, became a legendary superstar.
Pushpavalli was a notable actress in Tamil and Telugu cinema. She gained recognition for portraying Sita in the film Sampoorna Ramayanam. Released in 1936, her performance earned her a fee of Rs 300.
One of her most successful films was the Telugu hit Bala Nagamma (1942), where she played a significant supporting role. In 1947, she starred in Miss Malini, which received critical praise for her lead performance, though it unfortunately did not do well at the box office.
Throughout her life, Pushpavalli made headlines. In 1940, she got married. However, after six years, the marriage fell apart, and the couple separated, with Pushpavalli choosing to live alone. Later, she was offered a role in the film Miss Malini, where she starred alongside a new actor, Gemini Ganesan. As the film progressed, the two fell in love, despite both being married to other partners.
Although Pushpavalli and Gemini Ganesan never tied the knot, she was blessed with two daughters. Her eldest daughter was Rekha, who went on to become a Bollywood superstar, and her younger daughter, Radha, also made headlines with her acting career in South Indian cinema.
Pushpavalli passed away in 1991.
Also Read:
