Sumathi Josephine

Biography:

Rekha, known by her birth name Sumathi Josephine, is a prominent Indian actress predominantly active in the Tamil and Malayalam film industries. While she has also appeared in a number of Telugu and Kannada films, her prominence remains in the Tamil and Malayalam domains. Rekha’s talents even led her to be a participant in the fourth season of the reality show “Bigg Boss Tamil.”

Her cinematic journey was initiated with her entry into Tamil cinema through the film “Kadalora Kavithaigal” (1986), directed by Bharathiraja and featuring Sathyaraj in the lead role. She gained notable recognition for her roles in movies such as “Punnagai Mannan” (1986), “Enga Ooru Pattukaran” (1987), “En Bommukutty Ammavukku” (1988), “Puriyaadha Pudhir” (1990), and “Gunaa” (1991). Her talents extended to the Malayalam film industry, where films like “Ramji Rao Speaking” (1989), “Aey Auto” (1990), and “In Harihar Nagar” (1990) saw significant success. Notably, her performance in “Dasharatham” (1989) earned her the prestigious Filmfare Award for Best Actress in the Malayalam category.

After making a mark as a leading lady, Rekha transitioned into character roles, often portraying sister-in-law and mother figures. In 2020, she took on a new challenge by participating as a contestant in the reality TV show “Bigg Boss 4.” On a personal note, Rekha was born and raised in Eramalloor, Alappuzha, Kerala. In 1996, she tied the knot with Harris Kottadath, a Malayali seafood exporter, and together they have a daughter.