Archive · 7 Aug 2026
'Rekha Was Fat When She Started': Brother-in-Law on Her Transformation
Rekha is a very famous movie star in India.
She started acting in Hindi movies in 1970.
Back then, she was bigger in size.
Her brother-in-law, Tej Sapru, says she worked really hard to change how she looked.
He thinks nobody else could have done what she did.
Tej is married to Rekha's half-sister, Dhanalakshmi.
They got married in 1987.
Rekha once said in an old interview that being beautiful means being physically fit and not fat.
Tej also said Rekha was graceful, sang very well, and had beautiful handwriting on a TV show called Indian Idol.
Actor Tej Sapru, Rekha's brother-in-law, said in a Rediff Originals interview that Rekha was 'fat' when she started in films and that her self-grooming was unlike anything he has seen.
Rekha made her Hindi film debut in the 1970 film Sawan Bhadon and is the daughter of Pushpavalli and Gemini Ganesan.
Tej Sapru married Rekha's half-sister Dhanalakshmi in 1987, after his divorce was finalised.
In a 1980s interview with Simi Garewal, Rekha said being beautiful requires physical fitness and that 'fat is ugly.'
Tej recently watched Rekha on the reality show Indian Idol and praised her grace, singing and handwriting.
- Who
- Rekha, veteran Bollywood actress, and her brother-in-law, actor Tej Sapru
- What
- Tej Sapru discussed Rekha's physical transformation and the hard work behind her grooming, along with family history, in a recent interview.
- When
- In a recent interview; referenced details include Rekha's 1970 film debut and Tej and Dhanalakshmi's 1987 marriage.
- Where
- India — the interview was shared on Rediff Originals' YouTube channel.
- Why
- To share his admiration for Rekha's self-transformation and address misconceptions the audience may have about her.
Criticism of Beauty Standards
Praise for Self-Improvement
Body Image and the 'Fat Is Ugly' Comment
Criticism of Beauty Standards
Rekha's remarks that 'fat is ugly' and that being beautiful means being slim promote harmful beauty standards and body shaming.
Praise for Self-Improvement
Rekha's transformation is framed as admirable personal discipline and hard work for her profession, with Tej Sapru giving her complete credit for her grooming.
- Actor
- Rekha
- Hindi film debut
- Sawan Bhadon (1970)
- Interview subject
- Tej Sapru, actor and Rekha's brother-in-law
- Platform
- Rediff Originals' YouTube channel
- Tej Sapru's wife
- Dhanalakshmi, Rekha's half-sister (married 1987)
- Rekha's parents
- Pushpavalli and Gemini Ganesan
- Recent TV appearance
- Indian Idol (caption references Indian Idol 12)