Saturday, October 10, 2009

Amitabh and Rekha story


The Amitabh-Rekha Story - Bollywood1




The inscrutable Rekha and the enigmatic Amitabh Bachchan. Together they created the picture-perfect romance on screen. We live in times when even real couples lack chemistry. In that sense alone, Amitabh and Rekha symbolise a sort of everlasting love. They are probably the biggest couple who made it to the Bollywood gossip columns ever. For die-hard romantics, they remain the enduring image of picture perfect love. As they celebrate their birthdays - Rekha on October 10 and Amitabh on October 11, we delve into the mystique of Amitabh and Rekha.


Amitabh and Rekha came together for the first time on screen in Dulal Guha's 'Do Anjaane.' The 1976 film was Rekha's first performance-oriented film. Though strangers in real life at the time, their on-screen chemistry made an impression on many. This was just a teaser to the biggest roller-coaster of romance filmgoers would see on screen in years to come. Prakash Mehra's 'Muqaddar Ka Sikandar' in 1978, earned rave reviews for both the actors. Poignantly, the storyline of the film seemed to reflect the real lives of the lead actors. Amitabh was married. In the movie he was in love with Rakhi. Rekha was the 'other woman' madly in love with him...


Landmark films continued for the actors-'Khoon Pasina', 'Ganga ki Saugandh', 'Suhaag', 'Mr Natwarlal' and 'Silsila'. Directors such as Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Prakash Mehra, Manmohan Desai, Yash Chopra and Ramesh Sippy continued to hone Amitabh Bachchan's talent and push him to iconic levels. For Rekha, the Amitabh association, which lasted through nine films, added the final seal of stardom. 'Silsila' was the end of the Amitabh-Rekha pairing on screen. In fact, it contributed the most-repeated line among lovelorn couples via the song that Amitabh lent his voice to, 'Yeh Kahaan Aagaye Hum' – the line being 'Idhar bhi pareshani, udhar bhi pareshani'. Though rumours spun on the supposed startling similarities between the onscreen and off screen lives of the lead actors, the film failed at the Box Office. In 1983, Amitabh Bacchan was seriously injured on the sets of 'Coolie'. At the time, Rekha was reportedly turned down from visiti


But Rekha has never opened up on her private life. After a 20-year-wait, audiences got to see and hear a fascinating side of Rekha's life on Simi Garewal's TV show, 'It's a Woman's World.' For the first time, Rekha confessed she was-and would always be-Bhanurekha. She also said Amitabh Bachchan was the man who influenced her life for a long time. Rekha has also given credit to Amitabh Bachchan for giving her pointers in acting. Rekha's hit flick 'Khoobsurat' had her mimicking Amitabh Bachchan. She was even termed as 'Lady Amitabh Bachchan'. However, media reports say Amitabh Bachchan retorted to Rekha's praise saying he did not know why Rekha praised him, since he did not teach her anything.


Did Rehka have an intuitive knowledge on the disparity in her real and reel lives? While Amitabh Bachchan moved from strength to strength, Rekha went through the darkest phase of her life. A hasty marriage with businessman Mukesh Agarwal ended when he reportedly committed suicide. There was speculation of Rekha's marriage earlier to late actor Vinod Mehra , who also died in his early fifties of a heart attack.


In 2006, movie buffs had reason to rejoice. Apparently, Sanjay Leela Bhansali had pulled off the casting coup of his life. He would bring Amitabh and Rekha together on screen again. It's been three years hence, but that is not to be. While the onscreen pairing remains a distant dream, off screen too the actors kept their distance. The actors have gone to great lengths to avoid each other at events and shows. Last year, Rekha and Amitabh were seen at the same time at the same event—a wedding. Media reports said Rekha came in first, wearing a beautiful sari. But the sari paled in comparison to the blazing red 'sindoor' on her forehead. Amitabh Bachchan arrived with 'bahu' Aishwarya. Amitabh and Rekha refrained from talking to each other or making eye contact.


This was another inscrutable action by Bollywood's madam of mystique. Did she wear sindoor because Amitabh would be present? Is Rekha secretly married to someone? Or did she indeed get married to Amitabh Bachchan and still regards herself as his wife?


The most recent discussion of the Amitabh-Rekha romance came in the form of a book from Susmita Dasgupta. Amitabh Bachchan is the subject of her PhD. In interviews, the author says, 'I believe Amitabh knew from day one that he wasn't serious about Rekha. Also, he's very, very class conscious... Rekha was perhaps an ego trip.'


Some ghosts can't be exorcised. At the last Filmfare Awards, what made big news was Amitabh walking away from Rekha. As Rekha exchanged greetings with Abhishek and Aishwarya at the venue, Amitabh who was seated next to them, pointedly rose from his seat and walked away. Perhaps the biggest moment of the awards in recent decades had been played out off the stage.


Despite much heartbreak in her personal life, Rekha is even today is known as the epitome of grace and Indian celebritydom. She remains true to her Indian roots, loves dressing up in Kanjeevarams and accentuating her sharp features with dark-toned make-up. In fact, many generations of actresses after her have tried to emulate her look - and more often than not, failed. Rekha remains the eternal mystery, a mystery that even the rumoured love of her life could not unlock. The gossip mills will continue to thrive on their tumultuous relationship, though both have repeatedly denied anything ever transpired between the two of them. But for cine fans and Bollywood buffs, this is one love story that has and will stand the test of time. As another line in 'Yeh Kahaan Aagaye Hum' goes, - 'Humein milna hi tha, humdum, issi raah pe nikalte'.

4 comments:

  1. sonakshi:
    i miss there unbeatable chemistry...but i love rekha more than mr bachchan...and i wud want to see her more..:(...i just love rekha sooo much..<3

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  2. Being in love is a good feeling. But its hard to live without it. Rekha-Amitabh jodi is eternal eventhough they are not tied up in a marriage kind of bond.

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  3. The pair(amit_rekha) is a landmark in indian cinema.It is sad they are not working together for a long time.I surely can say they were involved in love in 70s-80s period.The famous director producer Yash Chopra felt thier condition because both (amt-rekha) were a friend of Y Chaopra,and decide to make Silsila casting them.Amitabh was very happy when he heard that.Till the end of shooting of Silsila they sinked in love,but releasing of silsila everybody knows what happened.......both neither work together nor talk to each other...!I think it is just because of Silsila movie in which amit_rekha acted like real lover and Jaya ji did`nt want to see this any how.....probably she told to amitabh don`t work with her(rekha ji).....one reason of their separation is when amitabh and rekha fell in love and amitabh was ready to get married to Rekha.But some time after Amit ji got fatal injured during shooting of coolie and an astrogist said rekha is not good for you...Rekha also came to hospital to visit him and also requested to donate blood if needed....Amit ji was stayed in a long time in hospital ,in this period Jaya supported him and cared him as a wife....after few month amitabh got well and might be accepted that he can`t marry with rekha.But real truth is what ? only they(amit_rekha) know.I`m close follower of both and wants to see them on Bigscreen in futute...May God bless them .......!

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