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Rekha, an actor synonymous with elegance, talent, and star power, has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Her remarkable journey, from facing initial skepticism to becoming one of the most revered female stars in Bollywood, is a testament to her dedication and perseverance. With iconic films like Umrao Jaan and Khoon Bhari Maang, Rekha has cemented her status as a screen icon, captivating audiences with her mesmerizing performances.
Kabir Bedi, a veteran actor and Rekha’s co-star in Khoon Bhari Maang, offered a unique perspective on her exceptional talent and enduring star power. Bedi recounted his experiences working with Rekha, highlighting her unmistakable “X factor.” “I did one of my most iconic films Khoon Bhari Maang with Rekha and she was the star of the film. Thinking about Rekha, she is not only a brilliant actress, she has also got a quality that many actors don’t, she has an aura. She has a certain feel of a diva in an iconic sense, and she carries that aura with her,” Bedi told indianexpress.com in an interview, providing a fascinating glimpse into Rekha’s remarkable talent and her ability to inspire generations of actors and film enthusiasts.
Rekha and Kabir Bedi’s Khoon Bhari Maang released in August 1988. (Photo: Kabir Bedi/ Twitter)
Bedi also reflected on Rekha’s remarkable journey, noting that she had to overcome significant obstacles to achieve success. “It is remarkable because it’s a tribute to her hard work and tenacity, she came to Bombay and started with smaller films like Sawan Bhadon (1970) and all that, and she really had to work her way up the ladder.”
He recalled, “They used to dismiss her as a dark skinned south Indian actress and then she became a white swan with her performances and her success. So she really proved her mettle in the industry with her acting. But beyond acting is a question of a certain persona that is just there in stars and she has that.”
Bedi’s first encounter with Rekha was during the filming of Umrao Jaan. He recalled being deeply impressed by her talent, and said, “For me, Rekha was a star from the moment I saw her in Umrao Jaan. She never diminished my eye. So, I always looked up to Rekha as a star and an actress.” Their collaboration on Khoon Bhari Maang proved to be a pivotal moment in both Bedi’s and Rekha’s careers.
Bedi shared the story of how Rakesh Roshan approached him to play a complex role that transformed from hero to villain in Khoon Bhari Maang and how no actor would take it up. He shares, “During that time I was living in America, I was shooting in Hawaii with Tom Selleck for Magnum, P.I, and Rakesh Roshan called me and he said that he wanted me to be a hero in his film. I asked him if heroes were on a strike in Bombay, what’s the part he had to offer me when I was all the way in Hawaii? So he said that the hero turns into a villain and no heroes will agree to do it and if he puts a villain in the film then there would be no surprise. He thought I was the best person to carry it off, both, being a hero and a villain. So I said ok and I asked him who the leading lady was, and he said Rekha. I didn’t wait for one second, I said ‘done’ because it was fantastic to be acting with her and a joy to perform with her. She is unquestionably the star of the film. The film was one of my most successful too.”
In the recent past, Rekha has made only made a handful of special appearances in a few films, including Rakesh Roshan’s Koi… Mil Gaya (2003), Pradeep Sarkar’s Parineeta (2005), Krrish (2006), Krrish 3 (2013), Super Nani (2014) to name a few. When asked what it would take for Rekha to make a comeback, Bedi said enthusiastically, “Rekha remains untouched as a diva, and if anyone has her in their film, they will be fortunate.”
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