It's time we acknowledge Ash: Rekha

Bollywood diva Rekha, who at 51 remains the heartthrob of Indian cine-goers, says she still hopes to meet her ideal man.

Excerpts from an Interview:

Your fans still feel very distant from you.
I beg to defer. My fans are no different from me. They celebrate the fact that I'm a part of their life through my movies, my photo features and my interviews.

When people are troubled they indulge in all kinds of vices, like drinking or having an illicit affair. I just turn to my fans who share an unconditional love with me. I've never got negative vibes from anyone. If this isn't a blessing, what is?

Why do you think of yourself as a loner?
It's a word. It means I spend most my time on my own. Going by my nature, it's the most comfortable situation to be in. My god!

I never thought I'd be home alone, with all my sisters married and gone. I never thought I'd not have my own family, my own children.

Do you miss children?
Not any more. I do not miss children. Even if I find the ultimate man to have babies with, it'd be very unfair to my priorities. Because if I have a baby, I won't be able to focus on anything else. Then what happens to the babies all over the world with whom I'm connected?

What about a man?
If I had a man, I'd just be devoting all my attention to that one person. I'm an extremely uni-focus person. I'll take out his clothes, personally monitor his menu, prepare the lunch and personally deliver it to him.

I don't think I am capable of enjoying the best of both worlds. I can't deprive the other world of fans and admirers just for that narrow world of a family. May be I'm being unreal and impractical. But I'm not in denial. If I find someone who's willing to share me with my fans, I might change my mind.

So many of the actresses today idolise your looks, makeup and clothes.
I hope all of them do. The beauty of it is, I don't have to spend hours planning and executing my clothes and makeup. I've done it for 40-odd years. It's like cooking and swimming. Dressing up is second nature to me. I can't bring myself to spend more than 15 minutes on makeup and clothes.

I believe you've always done you own makeup?
Always. Not even Mickey Contractor, whom I adore, has ever done my makeup. His hands start shaking. I really wish someone would come forward and take over the responsibility for my clothes, makeup and styling.

I envy stars who have people to do everything from hair to dialogues. Now-a-days I get films where I've to think about sets, co-stars, etc.

Do you think there might be someone out there?
Don't mistake the potential of the unknown for expectations. I'm a very action-oriented person. I don't sit and speculate. I can't sit still anywhere. I don't just listen to people.

I think and act on what they say. Every channel for self-improvement - an image on television, a lovers' tiff at the traffic signal - has a profound impact on me.

You share your star sign with so many Bollywood luminaries, including Amitabh Bachchan.
Really? I didn't know that. I don't believe in astrology. I don't believe in wearing big rocks on my fingers to change my destiny. I feel self-respect and faith in yourself and the creator combined with intense hard work shapes your destiny. Time is god and I'm part of god.

Who are the younger actors you're fond of?
I'm fond of all of them, and I'm not being diplomatic. When people try to compare my Umrao Jaan with Ash's (Aishwarya Rai), I get fiercely protective of her. She looks unbelievable in Umrao Jaan. My heart goes out to Ash. She's been around for so long and yet not been there. That's how it was with me...until I did Umrao Jaan.

It seemed improbable that a Tamil girl talking Urdu would work. Similarly, this south Indian girl should realise her potential in Umrao Jaan.

She doesn't need to go to Hollywood to prove herself. She's our own. Why Bride & Prejudice? Who are these people from outside trying to tap Ash's potential? She's our treasure. It's time we acknowledge her.

Do you like the trend of remakes?
Why not? It's an intriguing phase. But if someone comes to me and says he wants to re-make Pakeezah with me I'd say, "hello?"

Why hello?
Because Meena Kumari was 21 when she started Pakeezah. I'm 51.

What does one expect from you in the coming year?
I don't know. I'm just so grateful that people respond positively to anything I do off or on screen. My sister always says, "We're not human beings having a spiritual experience. We're spiritual beings having a human experience."

Do you shop?
Until 10 years ago I was a mad shopaholic. But now the only thing I invest in is plants. Recently, I've started indulging by working out.

You go to a gym?
No. I've a little gym in my home. Look at me, I'm giving away personal details. This is just not me.