Rukhsar Rehman is one of the most recognisable faces of the Indian film and television industry. The actress has starred in numerous films and shows and made a name for herself in the industry. She has worked beside many of the biggest stars of Bollywood. However, her acting career has been paved with many ups and downs since her debut film.
Rukhsar Rehman was made to leave the film industry and give up her acting career. The actress chose to fight every social barrier thrown her way. And along with her daughter, Aisha Ahmed, she started the second innings of her life. But this second phase came with its own challenges. So, here is everything you need to know about how Rukhsar overcame every obstacle to fulfil her dreams.
Rukhsar Rehman started her film career, working alongside big names
Rukhsar Rehman was only seventeen years old when she made her film debut in Deepak Anand’s Yaad Rakhegi Duniya, in 1992. She was cast as the female lead opposite Aditya Pancholi. Even though the film was not a commercial hit, the actress’ young and innocent look in the movie won many hearts. Rukhsar then went on to star opposite Bollywood star, Rishi Kapoor in the film Inteha Pyar Ki.
Rukhsar Rehman was married off after two successful films and had to quit Bollywood
In an interview with Humans Of Bombay, Rukhsar Rehman revealed that she was seventeen and just out of school when she scored the main lead role in two Bollywood films. Many people had thought that she had made it in life and was all set for her acting career. However, for her parents, working in the film industry was still not an acceptable career option. She was married off soon after, and had no choice but to quit acting. During this time, she was offered roles in huge projects like Baazigar, Roja and more.
Rukhsar Rehman ran away with her daughter as her marriage fell apart
Rukhsar Rehman’s marriage was in turmoil and falling apart. She also became a mother around this time, when she was just nineteen. But she gathered her courage and ran away with her daughter, who was only eight months old. In the same interview with Humans of Bombay, the actress revealed that she was mocked by many people for getting divorced at such a young age, but she did not have any other option. Talking about her decision to leave Rukhsar said:
“One night, I packed what little I could and left. My daughter was just 8 months old, asleep, unaware our life was about to change. I kept asking myself, ‘Am I doing the right thing?’ But I knew I had tried everything.”
Rukhsar Rehman opened up a boutique store but kept thinking about the career she had left behind
To find her footing again, Rukhsar Rehman went back to her hometown in Uttar Pradesh with her daughter. There she opened a garment boutique. But she always found herself thinking about her acting career she had no choice but to quit. The actress admitted that she missed the stage and the camera. So one day, when Rukhsar grew anxious with thoughts of what ifs, she decided to try her luck with Bollywood again.
Rukhsar Rehman left her daughter with her parents and went to Mumbai after 13 years
Rukhsar Rehman said in the interview that one of the hardest decisions that she ever had to make was leaving her daughter behind with her parents while she went to Mumbai to restart her acting career. However, the actress stated that she wanted to give her daughter, Aisha, a life that she deserved. So, for that, she had to go out there and discover her own self and what she was capable of. About leaving her daughter and starting her acting career again, the actress said:
“I left Aisha with my parents — the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I had to find myself again if I wanted to give her the life she deserved.”
Rukhsar Rehman started her Bollywood career from scratch again in 2005
Rukhsar Rehman had made her Bollywood debut as the female lead in 1992. But, when she went to restart her career again, she was back at square one. The actress auditioned for many small roles and faced rejection as well. But she finally found work in Ram Gopal Verma’s film, D in 2005. In the movie, Rukhsar played the role of Randeep Hooda’s love interest. Then the actress went on to be a part of another film of Verma, which was Sarkar. She started getting more and more roles, sometimes as a supporting actress and sometimes as the lead actress.
Rukhsar Rehman reclaimed her life and got her daughter to Mumbai
Rukhsar Rehman had started working on many projects, whether film or daily soaps. She had become a prominent face in the industry and reclaimed the success that she had left at the beginning of her career. The actress also took her daughter, Aisha, to Mumbai to live their life together again. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Aisha Ahmed also found a career in acting.
Rukhsar Rehman tried to find love again, but it ended in a heartbreak
After restarting her film career and getting her life back together, Rukhsar Rehman also found love with film-maker, Faruk Kabir. But after thirteen years of marriage, the couple headed for a divorce. The actress said that she was too hurt by the heartbreak, but her daughter, Aisha was by her side throughout this tough time. Despite these challenges and heartbreaks that life has thrown her way, Rukhsar has always faced them head-on, with her daughter supporting her. The actress said that, in a way, Aisha has also raised her.
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Also Read: Rukhsar Rehman To Divorce Her 2nd Hubby, Faruk Kabir After 13 Years Of Marriage, Due To Infidelity