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Raakhee Gulzar, Bollywood's Reclusive Gem, Embraces Retirement at 78
15 Aug
Summary
- Raakhee Gulzar, once a celebrated actress, now content in self-imposed exile
- Shared warm rapport with co-stars like Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan
- Prefers fun roles over weepy parts, but was often typecast in serious roles
Raakhee Gulzar, once a celebrated actress for her performances in films like Sharmilee, Kabhi Kabhie, and Tapasya, is now content in her self-imposed exile from the spotlight. As of August 2025, the 78-year-old actress is happy leading a life of retirement, having given up the "rat race" long ago.
Gulzar recalls her co-star relationships with warmth, especially with Shashi Kapoor and Sanjeev Kumar, who were "diehard foodies." She also shared a close rapport with Amitabh Bachchan, who would insist on speaking to her in Bengali. While she is reluctant to name favorites, Gulzar expresses fondness for her work in Kabhi Kabhie, Daag, and Doosra Aadmi, where she played a career woman attracted to a younger man.
Despite her popularity, Gulzar was often typecast in serious, weepy roles, which she was never fond of. She preferred the more fun parts in films like Aankh Micholi and Pugli, but such roles were rarely offered to her. As for a comeback, the actress remains realistic, stating that the roles for women above 40 are scarce, even when she was cast as a central character in films like Ram Lakhan and Karan Arjun.
