Bollywood actor Rekha was honoured with the Red Sea Honouree Award at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah. She received the recognition during the screening of the restored version of Muzaffar Ali’s 1981 classic Umrao Jaan. The veteran star also embraced her iconic character on stage, sharing a few lines of shayari inspired by the film.
Rekha says films kept her alive
While speaking to a fan at the festival, Rekha recited lines from the famous song ‘Dil Cheez Kya Hai’ and said, “Is anjuman mein aapko aana hai baar baar ... deewar-o-dar ko gaur se pehchaan lijiye.” She added that she truly meant those words.
She encouraged the audience to keep watching films, calling cinema a powerful source of healing. “Come to see films every single day. That’s the only soothing factor. There’s no potion, no healing material better than films. I am a living example. I stayed alive because of films,” she said.
Says she has never been much of a talker
Rekha also spoke about her reserved nature. “I was never much of a talker. Even in Umrao Jaan, the dialogues expressed only half of what my eyes could convey. Muzaffar Saab is right — sometimes one look is enough,” she said.
She fondly remembered her mother, Pushpavalli, and recalled her guidance. “As my mother always said, you don’t speak about your achievements or feelings. You don’t teach people by telling them what to do. You live by example. You live your best life, and they learn — especially what not to do.”
Umrao Jaan—based on Mirza Hadi Ruswa's 1899 Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada—tells the story of a Lucknow courtesan and poet who rises to fame. The film remains one of the most acclaimed performances of Rekha’s career.
Also Read: From Hema Malini to Rekha: What does Diwali mean to our film stars
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