Rukhsar Rehman: Overcoming Adversity to Find Her Way Back to Bollywood
From Bollywood Starlet to Single Mother: Rukhsar Rehman’s Difficult Journey
Rukhsar Rehman’s story is one of resilience and the unwavering pursuit of dreams. Before she appeared in films like ‘PK’, ‘Sarkar’, or ‘Uri’, she was a young actress who made her debut at just 17 in the film ‘Yaad Rakhegi Duniya’. She even shared screen space with legendary actor Rishi Kapoor in ‘Inteha Pyar Ki’. However, her promising acting career was cut short when her family pressured her into marriage. By the age of 19, she became a mother to her daughter, Aisha, and found herself facing a new set of challenges.
Speaking to Humans Of Bombay, Rukhsar shared the difficult reality of her situation. She explained, “With Aisha, I found my new purpose. Life looked perfect from the outside. I was trying to be a good wife. But over time, the cracks began to show. And the marriage fell apart.”
Finding Strength and Starting Over
Rukhsar’s exit from her marriage was not a dramatic affair. She quietly packed her belongings one night, leaving behind everything she knew to protect herself and her baby daughter. She relied on her inner strength and determination to rebuild her life in her hometown of Rampur.
“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. When my father opened the door, he didn’t ask questions — just said, ‘You’ll be okay.’”
She opened a small garment boutique, providing for herself and Aisha while holding onto the dream of returning to acting.
The Journey Back to the Silver Screen
Years later, Rukhsar felt the pull of her artistic passion. She entrusted her daughter to her parents, the hardest decision she had ever made, and embarked on a journey to reclaim her career.
“Years passed. One day, I grew too restless. 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. In 2005, after over a decade away, I started from scratch — small roles, auditions, rejections. But I kept going.”
It was a long and arduous path, filled with setbacks, but Rukhsar persevered. She gradually landed roles in films and TV shows, eventually earning recognition for her talent. She even found love again, marrying filmmaker Faruk Kabir.
Despite facing heartache and adversity, Rukhsar never gave up on her dream. She credits her daughter, Aisha, for being her constant source of strength and inspiration.
A New Chapter in Bollywood
Today, Rukhsar Rehman is back in the spotlight, appearing in films like ‘Uttar Da Puttar’ and ‘Thanks Maa’. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of chasing dreams, and the unwavering love of a mother.
Tags
Rukhsar Rehman, Bollywood, Acting comeback, Single mother, Human of Bombay
