Rekha: Life through a lens

Vintage Beauty - Rekha at the wedding reception of stylist Shaina Nath

Published: Tue 6 Dec 2016, 3:22 PM

Last updated: Thu 8 Dec 2016, 2:23 PM

THE NOTORIOUSLY RECLUSIVE Bollywood diva Rekha will be walking the red carpet at Dubai International Film Festival tonight to receive her Lifetime Achievement Award. She will share the stage with two other pioneers of cinema - French-Lebanese composer Gabriel Yared and American film icon, Samuel L. Jackson. Nonetheless, this is a rare opportunity for Dubai's cinema buffs to witness the diva who has chosen to age with grace and mystery.
Big B and Rekha: An unrequited love story
Rekha's romance with the married Amitabh Bachchan is a story of which people will never tire. This chapter in Rekha's life pretty much dominates all her legacy so far. Their love story was always a mystery since both of them never admitted to it. In all her interviews, Rekha always said that she admired Amitabh and loves him the way everyone does. They have done movies like Do Anjaane, Khoon Pasina, Ganga Ki Saugandh, Suhaag, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Ram Balram, Mr Natwarlal and Silsila. There were rumours that they got married as Rekha turned up at Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh's wedding wearing sindoor and a mangalsutra. Yash Chopra successfully told their real life story in Silsila where Amitabh is married to Jaya Bachchan but Rekha was his girlfriend. This passionate film was their last project together. Apparently, after this movie Rekha understood that she will always be the 'other woman' in his life and hence split up. Although, there are constant rumours of secret meetings between them in London. During all public events, they generally snub each other.
Rekha had a difficult childhood
The actress is the love child of legendary south Indian star Gemini Ganesan and Pushpavalli. She started working in movies at the age of 14 to support her 16-member family. Her debut movie, Sawan Bhadon, with Navin Nischal went on to become a huge hit - even though she was body-shamed for being fat and dark.
A bumpy personal life
Rekha's personal life has been the subject of national interest for many decades. She has had two unsuccessful marriages. The actress married Delhi-based industrialist Mukesh Aggarwal. A year later - while she was in London - he committed suicide, leaving a note, "Don't blame anyone." She was also rumoured to have been married to actor Vinod Mehra in 1973, but Rekha has denied this. In a 2004, television interview with Simi Garewal, she referred to her supposed husband as a "well-wisher".

From an 'Ugly Duckling' to a ravishing beauty on screen
While talking to a film magazine, Rekha once said, "I was called the 'Ugly Duckling' of Hindi films because of my dark complexion and South Indian features. I used to feel deeply hurt when people compared me with the leading heroines of the time and said I was no match for them. I was determined to make it big on sheer merit." It is rumoured that Amitabh Bachchan gave her tips on how to transform herself. She tried yoga and skin lightening treatments for a long time to become her 'acceptable' glamorous best. As per legend, her transformation was visible in her movie Do Anjaane starring Amitabh Bachchan. Suddenly, she became the ultimate diva for Bollywood. A Hindi film glossy Film World wrote, "From a plump, pelvis-jerking, cleavage-flashing temptress, she has metamorphosed into a sleek, accomplished actress. Gone are most of the inane mannerisms, pouts, wiggles and giggles."

Glimpse into her reclusive life
She currently lives in a bungalow in Mumbai named after her mother Pushpavalli. Apart from her manager and few family members, no one is allowed inside her private castle. Her relationship with her manager Farzana is considered as the most stable relationship of her life.