Rakhee Gulzar was born as Rakhee Majumdar on 15 August 1947 in Ranaghat, Bengal Presidency, British India, now in West Bengal. She began her career in Bengali cinema before becoming a major star in Hindi films.
She made her Bengali-film debut with Badhu Baran (1967) and subsequently entered Hindi cinema with Jeevan Mrityu (1970) opposite Dharmendra. Her performance and screen presence quickly established her as one of the prominent actresses of the period.
Rakhee gained widespread recognition through films such as Sharmeelee (1971), in which she played dual roles, and Lal Patthar (1971). She subsequently appeared in numerous successful films, including Daag: A Poem of Love (1973), Blackmail (1973), Tapasya (1976), Ram Lakhan (1989), Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) and Bemisal (1982).
Although she was primarily known as a leading actress, Rakhee successfully transitioned into mature and motherly roles as her career progressed. Her performances as mothers became particularly memorable in films such as Ram Lakhan, Baazigar (1993), Karan Arjun (1995) and Border (1997).
She worked with many of Hindi cinema's leading actors, including Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Shashi Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Rajesh Khanna, Jeetendra and others. Her professional association with Amitabh Bachchan produced several memorable films, including Bemisal, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Kaala Patthar and Lawaaris.
Rakhee received several major honours for her contribution to Indian cinema. She won three Filmfare Awards for acting and received the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Ram Lakhan. She was also honoured with the Padma Shri in 2003 for her contribution to Indian cinema.
Rakhee was married to journalist and filmmaker Ajay Biswas before marrying filmmaker and lyricist Gulzar in 1973. They have a daughter, Meghna Gulzar, who became a successful filmmaker and writer. Rakhee and Gulzar later separated, although they remained connected through their daughter.
In the later part of her career, Rakhee appeared less frequently on screen and largely withdrew from mainstream acting. She has maintained a relatively private life at her farmhouse in Panvel, Maharashtra.