Meet Rukhsar Rehman: At 17, she debuted with Rishi Kapoor; at 19 she ran away with infant daughter to survive

Time of India

18-05-2025

Rukhsar Rehman, who made her Bollywood debut opposite Rishi Kapoor at just 17, was forced to leave acting when her parents arranged her marriage, believing it wasn't a viable career. After her marriage fell apart, she fled with her 8-month-old daughter and returned to her hometown. Years later, she left her daughter with her parents and moved to Mumbai to rebuild her life and acting career from scratch.
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Early Stardom at Just 17
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Running Away to Save Herself
Reclaiming Her Career, One Step at a Time
Audience Reaction and Rediscovery
Not all Bollywood stories are made of glitz and glamour—some are built on courage, sacrifice, and resilience. Actress Rukhsar Rehman , who once starred opposite Rishi Kapoor at the start of her career, lived through a life-altering journey that took her away from the spotlight and brought her back with renewed strength. Despite early success, she was forced to abandon acting due to family pressure, endured a broken marriage, and eventually ran away with her infant daughter to rebuild her life.Shared on the Humans of Bombay Instagram page, actress Rukhsar Rehman recently opened up about the highs and lows that shaped her life—both on and off screen.Rukhsar Rehman was just a teenager when she appeared on screen with Rishi Kapoor in films like Yaad Rakhegi Duniya and Inteha Pyar Ki. At 17, fresh out of school, she was already playing lead roles in major productions. The industry considered her a rising star, but Rukhsar herself was still discovering what success meant. Unfortunately, her time in the spotlight was cut short—not because of failure, but because her parents didn't view acting as a respectable career path.Despite appearing in two successful films, her parents arranged her marriage, believing that a stable family life was more important than fame. She tried to adjust to her new role as a wife and later, as a mother to her daughter Aisha Ahmed. However, her marriage soon began to unravel, and the emotional strain pushed her to make a life-changing decision.At the age of 19, Rukhsar left her marital home with her 8-month-old daughter in her arms. The decision was met with judgment—many mocked her for being divorced so young—but she had no other choice. She returned to Rampur, where her father welcomed her without question. To sustain herself, she opened a boutique, but her mind often wandered back to acting—the passion she had left behind.As years went by, the urge to return to the screen only grew stronger. In 2005, she made another difficult decision: she left her daughter Aisha with her parents and moved to Mumbai to start over. This separation was the hardest part of her journey, but Rukhsar knew it was necessary if she wanted to provide her daughter with the life she deserved.Starting from scratch, Rukhsar faced rejections and countless auditions. Slowly, she began landing roles in films such as D, Sarkar, PK, God Tussi Great Ho, Uri, and 83. Each role was a step forward—not just in her career, but in reclaiming the part of herself she had to leave behind years earlier.Eventually, Rukhsar brought Aisha to Mumbai. She wasn't just raising her anymore; they were finally living together again. Aisha, inspired by her mother's journey, made her own mark in the entertainment world through acclaimed web series like Adulting and Minus One.Later, Rukhsar found love again in Faruk Kabir. But after 13 years, that chapter also ended. The pain of loss was softened by Aisha's constant support. As Rukhsar reflects, her daughter helped her grow just as much as she had raised her.The recent revelation that Rukhsar is Aisha Ahmed's mother surprised many fans, prompting a wave of admiration and nostalgia. Social media was flooded with memories of Rukhsar's performances in PK, Tumhari Pakhi, and Kuch Toh Log Kahenge. One commenter wrote, 'She didn't just survive—she came back for the girl she left behind.'Once believing her story was over, Rukhsar now sees her journey as a powerful return to what she loved. 'When you're meant to do something, you find your way back—when you're ready,' she reflected. Her comeback isn't just a professional achievement—it's a deeply personal victory.