I did not grow up on a diet of films, however, my mom would watch the Filmfare Awards and I vividly remember Rekha ji at a Filmfare Awards ceremony on TV, dazzling in a black skirt and golden top.
My first close encounter with her was during the shooting of the Kaisi Paheli Yeh song for Parineeta (2005). Dada (the late Pradeep Sarkar) had asked me to come and watch her on set. I walked into her van and got introduced to her. She put me at ease instantly and made me feel like we’d known each other for ever. Thats Rekha ji for you, very magnanimous!
She mentioned that Vinod (Chopra) had shown her the rushes of Parineeta, and she said, “I can’t believe it’s your first film.” It was such a special moment. I was in the presence of the celestial being and she knew me. (Laughs)
I have countless memories of her. I associate her with the word ‘saree’. No one wears a Kanjeevaram saree better than her. The green Kanjeevaram I wore at the Filmfare Awards when I won Best Actor for The Dirty Picture (2011) was a gift from her. Whenever she has liked a performance of mine, I’ve received a beautiful handwritten letter and a gorgeously packed exquisite Kanjeevaram saree. I also recall how she reacted after watching The Dirty Picture, complimenting me on capturing the sadness and loneliness beneath that brazenness of Silk Smitha.
When she walked out of the No One Killed Jessica (2011) screening, she came out with tears in her eyes and before she said anything, she slipped a ring inscribed with ‘OM’ in Tamil onto my finger. But this is not about me, it’s about her generosity of heart. She has such a childlike enthusiasm and I love how passionately she loves creating. She sketches beautifully and sings so well. There are times when in between a conversation she breaks into a Tamil song and my heart just melts.
I wish she’d do more films though. I only started watching Hindi films in college, and I remember being blown away by Khoon Bhari Maang (1988). Later, I caught up on her other films and have enjoyed all her performances. She’s a complete package. I feel like God spent all his time creating her the day she was born. What a beauty!
And yet she makes you see beyond that… Like the pain and loss and sorrow in her eyes as Amiran in Umrao Jaan (1981) or the absolute effervescence in Khubsoorat (1980), there are so many unexplored facets of Rekha, the artiste.
How do I describe her simply? She’s warm, rooted, sexy and glamorous. Her commitment to fitness is inspirational to women of all ages and also to me. For me, Rekha ji embodies self-love. I must admit though that I’ve never seen her eat. (Laughs)
Lastly, what I marvel at most is the sparkle in her eyes. Unlike many in the industry who become jaded over time, she remains positive about everything. That, I believe, is one of her greatest qualities. Happy Birthday my dearest Rekha ji. No one like you, never was, never will be.