Bollywood’s ultimate diva, the breathtaking Rekha is back on screen this year with two new movies – Sadiyaan and Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai. Unusually for a Bollywood star, Rekha doesn’t go out of her way to court publicity. “A woman should be seen by the luminosity of her grace and not heard shooting her mouth away about praising herself which is so not lady-like,” she explains.
She also explains why she is so choosy about the roles she plays and the directors she works with. “It’s not that an actor needs to be pampered so much as that one needs to provide a nurturing environment that is encouraging. Besides that, it is the script that is the foundation and therefore directs one’s choice of films. I don’t question the work that I get. In Sadiyaan there is Rishi Kapoor who plays my husband, and Neetu is my best friend. And there is Hemaji who I absolutely adore.” The film, a love story set around the time of the Partition, also stars British actress Ferena Wazier.
Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai is a mature love story that sees Shatrughan (Shotgun) Sinha and Rekha coming together on screen for the first time since the epic and groundbreaking Khoon Bhari Maang. Shotgun and Rekha hadn’t spoken for years due to a misunderstanding until Shotgun’s wife reconciled them earlier last year. “No wife introduces her husband to Rekha. My wife did that. Now I hope God blesses my wife!” exclaimed Shotgun in his inimitable style.
