Monica, also known by her birth name Rekha Maruthiraj, is a former Indian actress who prominently appeared in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema. She was born on August 25, 1987, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Starting her journey as a child artist, Monica began acting at a very young age and became a familiar face in South Indian households. Her natural screen presence and emotional expressions quickly made her a popular choice for child roles in the 1990s.
As she grew older, Monica transitioned smoothly into lead roles in the early 2000s. One of her most acclaimed performances came in the Tamil film “Azhagi” (2002), where she portrayed the teenage version of the lead character. This performance gained her recognition for her mature acting abilities despite her young age. She continued to star in critically appreciated films such as “Silandhi” (2008) and “Muthirai” (2009), where her versatility and screen appeal were evident.
Monica was also appreciated for her performance in “Varnam” (2011) and several other socially themed films. She managed to carve a niche for herself, often choosing roles that were bold, emotional, and layered. Despite working in glamorous roles, Monica was respected for her grounded personality off-screen and her professionalism on set.
In a surprising turn of events, Monica announced her conversion to Islam in 2014 and adopted the name M.G. Rahima. She stated that her decision was deeply personal and spiritual, and she wished to step away from the film industry to lead a private and religious life. Her decision was met with both praise and curiosity from the media and her fans, but Monica remained steadfast in her choice.
Since then, she has stayed away from the limelight, focusing on her faith and personal life. Monica remains a figure remembered for her talent and courage, both in her film roles and in her life decisions.
Field | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Rekha Maruthiraj |
Stage Name | Monica |
New Name (Post-Conversion) | M.G. Rahima |
Date of Birth | August 25, 1987 |
Birthplace | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
Nationality | Indian |
Profession | Actress (Former) |
Active Years | 1990s – 2014 |
Film Industries | Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada |
Notable Films | Azhagi, Silandhi, Muthirai, Varnam |
Religion (After 2014) | Islam |
Known For | Versatile roles, Child artist to lead star |
Current Status | Retired from films, practicing Islam |