Eternal diva

Rekha has always been a recluse, shying away from parties and public appearances and yet has remained a favourite with the paparazzi. Her almost Garbo-like existence has added to her mystique. People fight to catch a glimpse of her and she make makes sure not to put a step out of place. Time was when men longed to woo her while their mothers wanted her as their daughter-in-law. Her ponytails were copied, as also her saree pleats. She put the sexy in dusky and made life easy for millions of her wheat complexioned followers. She hasn’t lost her hold and even the rumour of her catching a cold still makes headlines. There may me more beautiful actresses than her but there never will be another Rekha. She’s alone of her kind, part-courtesan, part goddess – all woman.

There was a time when the reclusive actress used to celebrate her birthday with great gusto. This is a rare photo where she’s seen in the august company of Sanjeev Kumar circa 10. 10. 1971.

Crazy beginnings

She was a puzzle from day one. Industry pundits couldn’t believe that this plump, dark-complexioned girl could be cast as a heroine in Sawan Bhadon (1970), her first Hindi film. The masses however, took to her raw sensuality. Films like Rampur Ka Lakshman (1972), Kahani Kismat Ki (1973) and Dharma (1973) made her a bankable heroine.

It’s a little known fact that this multi-talented actor had a good voice. Here she tries her hand at playback singing for her film Agar Tum Na Hote. She sang a duet with Shailendra Singh. Ace composer RD Burman provided the music.

However, it was chance pairing with Amitabh Bachchan in Do Anjaane (1976) which catapulted her into stardom. The audience could guess that there was something special in the pairing. Subsequent hits like Khoon Pasina (1977), Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) and Suhaag (1979) had the screen crackling with their chemistry. The romance looked more real than reel. The coup de grace came with her pairing as Bachchan’s paramour in Silsila (1981), where Jaya Bhaduri, his real life consort, played the wife.

The actor always cared for the masses and tried to help out in times of calamity. Here she’s seen with Preeti Sapru, Raakhee, Saira Banu and Naseem Banu attending a public meeting for the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

Love bytes

She was linked with several men besides Bachchan, most noticeably Vinod Mehra. The duo were even said to have tied the knot in the ’70s.

Before you drool further, let’s warn you that its not what you think. She’s just rehearsing an amorous scene with Amitabh Bachchan. Sigh!

(L) It’s a point of honour for the vivacious Juhi Chawla to be crowned Miss India at the hands of the eternal diva. We are sure it’s a moment she still cherishes.

(R) Having a jovial moment with co-star Jeetendra with whom she has many hits.The duo specialised in Hindi adaptations of South Indian films.

(L) For a brief moment, the roses were redder, the grass looked greener and the sunsets more romantic. Rekha got married to businessman Mukesh Aggarwal in 1990. Her joy was short-lived as one year later, he commited suicide.

(R) Rekha was always willing to try out new things. Here she tries her hand at turning a projector on the sets of Ladai.

Affairs of the art

The diva got recognised as a consummate actor in Ghar (1978), where she played a rape victim struggling with her trauma. She grew out of Bachchan’s shadow in Khoobsoorat (1980) and carried this lighthearted comedy on her shoulders. She was no longer the ugly swan but the epitome of Indian beauty. The transformation was complete.

But she surprised everyone by marrying Delhi-based businessman Mukesh Aggarwal in 1990. He committed suicide a year later, giving rise to one of the darkest periods in her life. Rekha bravely faced the emotional storm and survived the perils.

Seen here in the company of ace director Gulzar on the sets of Ijaazat. The duo had a fallout on the sets of Namkeen where she was replaced by Sharmila Tagore. They later patched up and the director extracted a seminal performance from her in Ijaazat.

Period drama

Muzaffar Ali gave her the chance of a lifetime to play Umrao Jaan Ada, the legendary Lucknow courtesan in Umrao Jaan (1981). Later films like Utsav (1984), Ijaazat (1987), Khoon Bhari Maang (1988), Zubeidaa (2001) and Lajja (2001) further endorsed her power.