“If I had a man I'd just be devoting all my attention to that one person. Main unka bed bhi banaoongi” – Rekha 
By Subhash K. Jha, October 10, 2006 - 02:17 IST
Since the past three decades, this divine diva has been mesmerizing the audiences with her graceful charm. On her 51st birthday Rekha speaks about her life and times.
Do you miss the presence of a man in your life?M
If I had a man I'd just be devoting all my attention to that one person. I'm an extremely uni-focus person. Main unka bed bhi banaoongi. I'll take out his clothes, personally monitor his menu, prepare the dabba 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.
That sounds impractical.
Maybe 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.
How much wiser have you grown over the years?
Now I know myself as a woman. Even when I was a girl I knew what the woman in me wanted. Now I feel the most amazing thing about my life is the potential of the unknown. Every moment lived is yesterday's headline. Every unlived moment is adding to your growth as a human being. My responses yesterday are invalid today. I feel more sorrow today than I did yesterday.
You seem to enjoy pain?
That doesn't mean I’m in pain all the time. You must understand I'm growing older. But there’s so much more awareness to make a difference to myself and others.
Your fans would want to connect with you on your birthday....
I beg to defer. My fans are no different from me. They celebrate the fact that I'm part of their life through my movies, my photo features and my interviews. At the risk of sounding vain let me say, they absolutely love the fact that I've happened to their lives.
But surely they need to meet you, feel your presence?
I'm not there as just an invisible entity. I'm very much a part of their family. They find solace in me, as I find love in them. My fans and I validate each other's existence. Unconditional love is possible only with those whom you don't meet. That's the nature of my relationship with God, and with my fans.
How do you solve the questions that inevitably appear in one's isolation?
There're millions of questions hovering in my mind. Most of them aren't worthy of bothering me. 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. Even someone who has just seen a photograph of me has nice thoughts about me. I've never got negative vibes from anyone. If this isn't a blessing, what is?
| Aishwarya doesn't need to go to Hollywood to prove herself. 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. |
Would you say your relationship with your fans is very unique?
Every actor shares a special relationship with fans. I just view it in a very special way. I know for sure when I reach out to a stranger, even if it's with that one blanket in the dark to a shivering destitute, I feel such elation. There's nothing else that gives me more satisfaction. And it's an instant karma, an immediate high. I immediately forget whatever might be troubling me. And this relationship has nothing to do with being acknowledged as THE REKHA. It could be someone who doesn't even know what I look like. Chahat is a strange thing, like life itself. To try to bring together the instinct with the conscience. …that's the only guru and guideline. Being a loner it works for me.
What do you think of Aishwarya Rai playing Umrao Jaan?
She looks unbelievable in the promos of Umrao Jaan. I don't know how it will do commercially. But I'm hoping and praying that this film does for Aishwarya Rai what Umrao Jaan did for Rekha, and more.
You seem to be very fond of Ash?
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. It seemed improbable that a Tamilan girl talking Urdu would work. Similarly this South Indian girl should realize her potential in Umrao 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.
Are you happy with the kind of roles you're getting nowadays?
Yahan to khud hi dialogue likhna padta hai, angles sochne padte hain. Nowadays I get films where I've to think about sets, co-stars, etc.
| I can write a book on Rekha & The Disaster Zone |
In fact you have fallen off a horse during K.C. Bokadia's film Phool Bane Angaaray in 1991.
That was only one of the accidents. What about the umpteen number of times I've been electrocuted in a rain sequence? It has happened during so many films including Judaai. I can write a book on Rekha & The Disaster Zone.
So are you disaster-prone?
I'm not disaster prone. I'm just celebration-prone. There's nothing in my life that I don't celebrate.
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Bollywood Blietzkrieg by Subhash K Jha
