Proud to be single-Rekha talks

Rekha talks about being single, ageing gracefully and not having made it to Pakistan for the premiere of Taj Mahal



Subhash K Jha



It isn't everyday that one gets to read interviews with Rekha; arguably one of Bollywood's more reclusive female icon. Stunningly poised, Rekha is at a stage where very few celebrities have been.

Right now she has been reluctantly dragged into the news for her cancelled trip to Pakistan. To which she says, "I had already informed my dear friends, the Khans that I'd be shooting for Goutam Ghose's Yatra and then attending Lataji's function which was a day prior to the premiere in Pakistan. They said they'd love me to join them in Pakistan and insisted on getting all the formalities done. But I did request them not to announce my inclusion at the premiere until I was sure."

But the actress quickly justifies the Khans' premature excitement. "I can understand why they announced my name. I hold no grudges against anyone," she says. "Yeh to koi bhi baat nahin hai…baat ka batangad banaya jaa raha hai. This is a very trivial price one has to pay for being who one is. I love being admired by people across borders. I was very honoured when Akbar called me and said I was the best ambassador from the film industry he could think of. I'm always delighted to go to any part of the world to be with my fans."

Apparently, along with Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai, Rekha is one of the most popular Bollywood stars in Pakistan. "It isn't just about India or Pakistan, I feel the entire world is a part of me," she says. "It's not just Indians and NRIs whom I connect with. I welcome an interaction with people from all over. My world is not an oyster but an oasis of love and connectivity. From that point of view, being in Pakistan was important. It's just that I chose to abide by another commitment. These are non-issues…quite like brushing your teeth every morning."

She lights up at the mention of the Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar Award that kept her away from Pakistan. "I can't describe the experience of getting the award from Lataji. I'm not just her fan. I worship her," says Rekha. "When Lata didi asked me to accept this honour, I didn't think twice. The function took place in Nasik. I was flooded with nostalgia because the last time I was in Nasik, it was for the shooting of Do Anjane, 25 years ago."

She reminisces about her special bonding with the Mangeshkar sisters. "They've given my insignificant personality an entire new definition through their songs," she says.

On the one hand there was the husky voice of Asha-tai who has the sensuality to enhance my expressions in terms of bhav. Then there's Lata Didi whose voice brings out the girl-woman in me. In fact, I see my personality as a mixture of both. Rekha wouldn't have been what she is if it wasn't for these two voices. They've touched my lives professionally. If I'm proud to be single it's because Lata didi is so blissfully single. As for Asha-tai, I'm not afraid to try anything new like her."

Rekha has just completed Goutam Ghose's. Yatra. "Like every experience in my life, Yatra was a beautiful experience. I've the good fortune and the basic intelligence to view all my experiences in a kind light…whether it's my producers, directors, films or the weather. I always look at them positively and always learn something from them. It was very interesting because I always enjoy things that are out of the ordinary. Goutam Ghose has experienced many shades of life which are all there in Yatra. All the actors in Yatra — Nana Patekar, Deepti Naval et al have something to teach me. I'm a great learner."

Meanwhile, she is listening to other film scripts. "But I'm not going to sign anything fresh until I'm fully convinced," she says.

This year, Rekha will turn 52. Sounds incongruous for someone like her? "Why?" she asks. "I've accepted everything in life. My mother taught me to take everything in life... from age to criticism with humility. You should have the confidence to carry your age without self-consciousness. I'm proud even of that wrinkle which appears on my face. It's a symbol of all that life has taught me for years. Aging is so inevitable. All the choices I've made, all the people I've met, all the hurt and all the happiness… they've all carved every contour on my face. And I'm proud of them all."

What is the secret behind her beauty? "I don't give that much importance to physical beauty. My looks are only a small part of my personality," she counters. "Looks are just a reflection of who you are from within. No amount of expensive saris, diamonds and makeup can make you look beautiful unless you are at peace with yourself. A lot of wrong has befallen me, but I didn't wallow in them. Everyday I go through the bad and the good. There's an angel and devil within me. I'm always asked why I'm so calm all the time, is it a faade? I agree I'm a great actor on screen. But no one can live a lifetime of lies. I don't believe in living a lie."

• I'm proud even of that wrinkle which appears on my face. It's a symbol of all that life has taught me for years. Aging is so inevitable — Rekha

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