Meet Rekha, the Jinke Mari girl

Kannada actress Rekha, who is known as Akshara in the Telugu industry, had a dream debut a decade ago with Kannada films Chitra and Huchcha becoming commercial successes along with the Telugu film Anandam.

She shot to fame with the song Jinke Mari in the film Chitra and came to be known as the Jinke Mari girl or Jinke Mari Rekha.

The actress has survived a decade in the industry, appearing in more than 30 South Indian films.

Her latest is the comical Kannada film Govindaya Namaha, where she stars opposite Komal Kumar.

The film releases this Friday.

In this interview with Srikanth Srinivasa, Rekha talks about Govindaya Namaha and her cinematic journey so far.

What is your role in a multi-star film like Govindaya Namaha?

Govindaya Namaha is an entertaining film. The protagonist is a playboy who flirts with girls all the time without bothering to think of what the girls go through when they are rejected and hurt in the process.

The film takes a turn with my introduction. Once he sees me, he changes and falls in love with my character. He realises what true love is.

Hasn't it been a while since Kannada audiences saw you on screen?

The last time Kannada audiences saw me was about nine or 10 months ago in Jolly Boy.

I had quick and successive releases with Prema Chandrama and Boss. People complemented me for my negative role in Boss.  

What are your forthcoming releases?

I am doing Paramashiva with Ravichandran and I am paired opposite Vijay Raghavendra. The film is in the last stages with a song to be completed. I have completed my portion of the film Pullikeshi.

How did this confusion regarding the change in your name arise? You call yourself Akshara in Telugu and people here know you as Rekha.

Some years ago, a Telugu news channel reported that I had passed away in a car accident. The very next day some Telugu newspapers carried my picture and did a shraddanjali (tribute) saying that I had died.

When some news networks called me, I had to clarify over the phone that I was still alive.

I thought it was sentimentally wrong to continue with my name, Rekha. I thought a change of name will be better as they had killed Rekha. So I changed my name to Akshara in other languages. However, Kannada audiences know me as Rekha.