Pushpavalli got married in 1940 but in 1946, six years after her wedding, she separated from her husband. She then met new actor Gemini Ganesan on the sets of 'Miss Malini' and fell in love with him.
When Pushpavalli was cast in the lead role in 'Miss Malini' with new actor Gemini Ganesan, she fell in love with him and they entered into a relationship, even though both of them were married to other people.
Rekha's mother Pushpavalli, throughout her life, was in the headlines more for her personal life than her films. She got married in 1940, but after just six years, her married life turned sour and she started living separately from her husband.