# Rekha Harris

Sumathi Josephine, better known by her stage name Rekha, is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Tamil and Malayalam films. She also starred in a few Telugu and Kannada films.She was one of the contestants of Bigg Boss Tamil Season 4.

## Career

She was introduced to the Tamil cinema with the film, Kadalora Kavithaigal (1986) directed by Bharathiraja.
Her notable works include Punnagai Mannan (1986), Enga Ooru Pattukaran (1987), En Bommukutty Ammavukku (1988), Puriyaadha Pudhir (1990) and Gunaa (1991). In Malayalam, Ramji Rao Speaking (1989), Aey Auto (1990) and In Harihar Nagar (1990) were also successful.
She won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam for the film Dasharatham (1989).
After a few roles as a heroine, she started to act in character roles, such as sister-in-law and mother.
In 2020, she is entering as a contestant in the reality show Bigg Boss 4.

## Personal life

Sumathi Josephine was born and brought up in Eramalloor, Alappuzha Kerala. She married Harris Kottadath, a Malayali seafood exporter, in 1996. They have a daughter.

## Filmography
### Tamil

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1986 | Kadalora Kavithaigal | Jennifer | Debut film |
| 1986 | Punnagai Mannan | Ranjani | |
| 1986 | Namma Ooru Nalla Ooru | Seetha | |
| 1987 | Solvathellam Unmai | Rekha | |
| 1987 | Megam Karuththirukku | Chithra | |
| 1987 | Idhu Oru Thodar Kathai | Radha | |
| 1987 | Enga Ooru Pattukaran | Kaveri | |
| 1987 | Kavalan Avan Kovalan | Uma Chakravarthy | |
| 1987 | Ini Oru Sudhanthiram | Kannamma | |
| 1987 | Aankalai Nambathey | Soorya | |
| 1987 | Veeran Veluthambi | Meghala | |
| 1987 | Ninaive Oru Sangeetham | Sandhya | |
| 1987 | Krishnan Vandhaan | Sumathi | |
| 1987 | Ullam Kavarntha Kalvan | Geetha | |
| 1987 | Meendum Mahaan | Julie | |
| 1987 | Arul Tharum Ayyappan | Lakshmi | |
| 1987 | Chinnamanikkuyile | Unknown | Unreleased |
| 1988 | Shenbagamae Shenbagamae | Shenbagam | |
| 1988 | Kaalaiyum Neeye Maalaiyum Neeye | Shanthi | |
| 1988 | Makkal Aanaiyittal | Kamala | |
| 1988 | Katha Nayagan | Radha | |
| 1988 | Raasave Unnai Nambi | Ranjitham | |
| 1988 | En Bommukutty Ammavukku | Mercy | |
| 1988 | Naan Sonnathey Sattam | Aasha | |
| 1988 | Kazhugumalai Kallan | - | |
| 1988 | Thambi Thanga Kambi | Uma | |
| 1988 | Mappillai Sir | Uma | |
| 1988 | Dhayam Onnu | Shanthi | |
| 1989 | En Purushanthaan Enakku Mattumthaan | Vatsala | |
| 1989 | Pillaikkaga | Kannamma | |
| 1989 | Moodu Manthiram | Kalpana | |
| 1989 | Thangamana Purushan | Sumalatha | |
| 1989 | Thaya Tharama | Uma | |
| 1989 | Kutravali | Radha | |
| 1989 | Kakka Kadi | - | |
| 1989 | Thalaivanukkor Thalaivi | Thenmozhi | |
| 1989 | Idhaya Geetham | Divya | |
| 1990 | Paattukku Naan Adimai | Sandhya | |
| 1990 | Varavu Nalla Uravu | Uma | |
| 1990 | Sigappu Nirathil Chinnappoo | Kasturi | |
| 1990 | Vedikkai En Vadikkai | Neelaveni | |
| 1990 | Puriyaadha Pudhir | Geetha Chakravarthi | |
| 1990 | Thiyagu | Vidhya | |
| 1990 | Nangal Puthiyavargal | Bharathi | |
| 1991 | Sigaram | Sukanya | |
| 1991 | Irumbu Pookkal | Pavunnu | Guest Appearance |
| 1991 | Nallathai Naadu Kekum | Radha | |
| 1991 | Vaidehi Kalyanam | Vasanthi | |
| 1991 | Paattondru Ketten | Usha | |
| 1991 | Gunaa | Rosie | |
| 1991 | Sirai Kadhavugal | Durga | |
| 1992 | Enga Veetu Velan | Kalyani | |
| 1992 | Idhuthanda Sattam | Lakshmi | |
| 1992 | Annamalai | Shanthi | |
| 1992 | David Uncle | Malathi | |
| 1992 | Annan Ennada Thambi Ennada | Priyanka | |
| 1992 | Thirumathi Palanisamy | Jyothi | Guest Appearance |
| 1992 | Vasantha Malargal | Daisy | |
| 1992 | Palaivana Raagangal | - | |
| 1992 | Harihara Puthiran | - | |
| 1994 | Rasa Magan | Chellachamy's wife | |
| 1994 | Vaa Magale Vaa | Kalyani | |
| 1996 | Kaalam Maari Pochu | Lakshmi | |
| 1996 | Krishna | Anandhi | |
| 1996 | Gnanapazham | Professor Nirmala | |
| 1996 | Priyam | Aunty | |
| 2002 | Roja Kootam | Bhumika's mom, inspector | Comeback film after her marriage |
| 2003 | Anbu | Veena's mother | |
| 2003 | Kadhal Sadugudu | Kausalya's mother | |
| 2003 | Villain | Rajalakshmi | |
| 2003 | Vikatan | Ramu's mother | |
| 2004 | Kovil | Angel's mother | |
| 2004 | Arul | Ganapathy's wife | |
| 2005 | Aadum Koothu | Manimekhala's mother | |
| 2005 | Anbe Vaa | Karthik's mother | |
| 2005 | Priyasakhi | Judge | |
| 2006 | Madhu | Jennifer | |
| 2006 | Amirtham | Pasupathi Pillai's wife | |
| 2006 | Thodamaley | Narmada | |
| 2007 | Pokkiri | Mrs. Mohammed Maideen Khan | |
| 2007 | Malaikottai | Malar's mother | |
| 2008 | Dasavathaaram | Meenakshi | |
| 2008 | Inba | Priya's sister in law | |
| 2008 | Pazhani | Poovathal (Pazhanivel's mother) | |
| 2009 | Madhavi | Lakshmi | |
| 2009 | Adada Enna Azhagu | Vasan's mother | |
| 2010 | Thairiyam | Kumaran's mother | |
| 2010 | Thambi Arjuna | Radhika's mother | |
| 2010 | Uthama Puthiran | Meenakshi | |
| 2010 | Indrasena | - | |
| 2010 | Ilamai Itho Itho | | |
| 2011 | Marudhavelu | Vidhya Venugopalan's mother | |
| 2013 | Thalaivaa | Ganga Ramadurai | Guest Appearance |
| 2013 | Ya Ya | Ramarajan's mother | |
| 2013 | Sibi | Lakshmi | |
| 2014 | Vazhum Dheivam | Durga | |
| 2015 | Rombha Nallavan Da Nee | A. SowmiyaKannan - IPS | |
| 2015 | Achaaram | Suriya's mother | |
| 2015 | Sakalakala Vallavan | Meenakshi | |
| 2015 | Maanga | Samyuktha | |
| 2016 | Bangalore Naatkal | Sarah's mother | |
| 2016 | Sowkarpettai | Shakthi's / Vetri's mother | |
| 2016 | Vellikizhamai 13am Thethi | Saravanan's mother | |
| 2017 | Muthuramalingam | Ashok Pandian's mother | |
| 2017 | En Aaloda Seruppa Kaanom | Sandhya's mother | |
| 2018 | Keni | Judge | |
| 2018 | Diya | Thulasi' mother | |
| 2018 | Goli Soda 2 | Seetha Kumari | |
| 2018 | Pyaar Prema Kaadhal | Sree's mother | |
| 2018 | Antony | Antony's mother | |
| 2019 | Dharmaprabhu | Ayyo | |
| 2019 | 100% Kadhal | Aruna | |
| 2020 | Dagaalty | Malli's mother | |
| 2021 | Chidambaram Railwaygate | Thillaiamma | |
| 2021 | Pei Mama | Jothi | |
| 2021 | Raajavamsam | Rani | |
| 2021 | Plan Panni Pannanum | Ambal's mother | |
| 2023 | Miriam Maa | Miriam | |

### Malayalam

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1989 | Ramji Rao Speaking | Rani | |
| 1990 | Dasharatham | Annie | Winner: Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam |
| 1990 | Oliyambukal | Usha | |
| 1990 | Arhatha | Anju | |
| 1990 | Aey Auto | Meenakshi | |
| 1990 | Randam Varavu | Indu Jayakumar | |
| 1990 | In Harihar Nagar | Annie Philip/Sr Josephine | |
| 1990 | Lal Salam | Stella | |
| 1990 | Pavam Pavam Rajakumaran | Radhika | |
| 1991 | Sundarikakka | Princy John | |
| 1991 | Swanthwanam | Gayathri | |
| 1991 | Pookkalam Varavayi | Nirmala | |
| 1991 | Kizhakkunarum Pakshi | Meera | |
| 1991 | Adayalam | Latha | |
| 1991 | Nettipattom | Indu | |
| 1992 | Vasudha | Vasudha | |
| 1992 | Grihapravsam | Radhika | |
| 1993 | Janam | Gomathiyamma | |
| 1993 | Sarovaram | Devu | |
| 1993 | Yaadhavam | Jayanthi | |
| 1993 | Pamaram | | |
| 1993 | Kudumbasneham | | |
| 1994 | Bheeshmacharya | Shanthi | |
| 1994 | Manathe Vellitheru | Julie | |
| 1994 | Harichandanam | | |
| 1995 | Kidilol Kidilam | Raji | |
| 1995 | Thakshashila | Lakshmi | |
| 1995 | Mumpe Parakkunna Pakshi | | |
| 1997 | Sankeerthanam Pole | Joyamma | |
| 1997 | Poonilamazha | Leena | |
| 2005 | Naran | Sunanda | |
| 2006 | Chinthamani Kolacase | Lal Krishna's sister | |
| 2006 | Pachakuthira | Akash's foster mother | |
| 2006 | Prajapathi | Narayanan's mother | |
| 2006 | Jayam | Bhanumathi | |
| 2007 | Veeralipattu | Gayathri | |
| 2007 | Avan Chandiyude Makan | Ealikutty | |
| 2007 | Nagaram | Mayor Sreelatha Varma | |
| 2008 | Chandranilekkoru Vazhi | Sulochana Kumaran | |
| 2009 | Vairam: Fight for Justice | Dr. Susan | |
| 2009 | Ivar Vivahitharayal | Adv. Nandini | |
| 2009 | 2 Harihar Nagar | Annie Philip/Sr. Josephine | |
| 2010 | Kadaksham | Rosamma | |
| 2012 | My Boss | Priya's mother | |
| 2012 | Asuravithu | Sara Shaikh Muhammed | |
| 2012 | No. 66 Madhura Bus | Subhadra | |
| 2013 | Annum Innum Ennum | Indu | |
| 2013 | 3G Third Generation | Manu's mother | |
| 2014 | Bangalore Days | Sarah's mother | |
| 2015 | My God | - | |
| 2015 | Jo and the Boy | Catherine | |
| 2016 | PachakKallam | Viswanathan's wife | |
| 2017 | Vedham | Nirmala Devi | |
| 2019 | Edakkad Battalion 06 | Surayya | |
| 2021 | Kunjeldho | Kunjeldho's mother | |
| 2022 | Dear Friend | Vijayakumari Viswanathan | |
| 2024 | Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil | Raji | |
| 2025 | Randam Yaamam | Savithri | |

### Telugu

| Year | Film | Role |
| 1989 | Rudranetra | Swarnarekha |
| 1989 | Bala Gopaludu | Khantham |
| 1991 | Minor Raja | Seeta |
| 1991 | Sarpayagam | Santhi |
| 1991 | Teneteega | Aparna |
| 1993 | Kondapalli Raja | Shanthi |
| 1995 | Muddayi Muddugumma | Shobha |
| 2012 | Money Money, More Money | Geetha Maadhuri |
| 2018 | Kanam | Thulasi's mother |

### Kannada

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1987 | Poornachandra | Kumuda | |
| 1992 | Nanna Shathru | Asha | |

## Television
### Serials

| Year | Serial | Role | Channel | Language |
| 1996 | Sudigundalu | Gayathri | ETV | Telugu |
| 2000 | Micro Thodar Macro Sinthanaigal - Oru Kadayin Sila Kilai Kadaigal | | Raj TV | Tamil |
| 2000 | Micro Thodargal Macro Sinthanaigal - Savukkadi | Devanai | Raj TV | Tamil |
| 2001–2004 | Ninne Pelladatha | Seetha | Gemini TV | Telugu |
| 2003 | Velan | | Sun TV | Tamil |
| 2006–2009 | Kana Kaanum Kaalangal | Lakshmi | Vijay TV | Tamil |
| 2006 | Neelakkurinju Veendum Pookkunnu | | Surya TV | Malayalam |
| 2007 | Mandharam | Aparna | Kairali TV | Malayalam |
| 2021 | Baakiyalakshmi | Herself | Star Vijay | Tamil |
| 2022–2023 | Bharathi Kannamma | Sharmila | Star Vijay | Tamil |
| 2024 | My Perfectt Husband | Bharathi | Disney+ Hotstar | Tamil |
| 2024- Present | Kanyadanam | Rathnaprabha | Surya TV | Malayalam |

### Shows

| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Language |
| 2010 | Rani Maharani | Surya TV | Participant | Malayalam |
| 2011–2012 | Comedy Festival Season 1 | Mazhavil Manorama | Judge | Malayalam |
| 2012 | Nakshathradeepangal | Kairali TV | Judge | Malayalam |
| 2014 | Badai Bungalow | Asianet | Guest | Malayalam |
| 2016 | Comedy Super Nite | Flowers TV | Guest | Malayalam |
| 2016–2017 | Malayali Veetamma | Flowers TV | Judge | Malayalam |
| 2017 | Onnum Onnum Moonu | Mazhavil Manorama | Guest | Malayalam |
| 2017 | Lal Salam | Amrita TV | Guest | Malayalam |
| 2018 | Urvashi Theatres | Asianet | Mentor | Malayalam |
| 2018 | Vanakkam Tamizha | Sun TV | Guest | Tamil |
| 2019–2020 | Cooku with Comali | Star Vijay | Contestant | Tamil |
| 2020 | Bigg Boss 4 | Star Vijay | Contestant | Tamil |
| 2021 | Bigg Boss Kondattam | Star Vijay | Guest | Tamil |
| 2021 | Cooku with Comali (season 2) | Star Vijay | Guest | Tamil |
| 2021 | Red Carpet | Amrita TV | Mentor | Malayalam |
| 2022 | Top Singer season 2 | Flowers TV | Judge | Malayalam |
| 2022 | Comedy Stars Season 3 | Asianet | Judge | Malayalam |

## Awards

* Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam - Dasharatham
* Kalaimamani Award by Tamil Nadu Government