How does one understand someone like Rekha, the famously elusive Bollywood icon?
Her gleaming silk sari, the dazzling gold and stone necklace and her red lipstick may turn heads on any red carpet, but her persona has been kept consistently under wraps.
The 62-year-old actress rarely grants interviews and is rarely seen at Bollywood award functions.
She’s supremely anonymous and she wants to keep it that way.
But Rekha opened up to Gulf News tabloid! ahead of being honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the opening night of the 13th Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) on December 7.
So how do you de-mystify the ‘Rekha phenomenon’?
“You don’t,” she says. “Firstly, I don’t even understand how this word ‘phenomenon’ is associated with me, so dream on. That said, I don’t think one lifetime is enough to understand one’s own self, so to even try to understand another completely is a futile exercise.”
Born as Banurekha Ganesan, the child of late Telugu actress Pushpavalli Ganesan and late Tamil superstar Gemini Ganesan (who did not accept her as his own in public during her childhood), has acted in more 180 films.
Her life story is the stuff of folklore and has enough romance and angst to rival a Hindi musical.
She broke into acting to save her family from a financial mess and has openly declared that initially she did not enjoy acting — the make-up and the costume jewellery triggered allergic reactions and she wasn’t a fan of the exploitative nature of the entertainment industry.
But her 1988 blockbuster Khoon Bhari Maang, in which she played an avenging widow who transforms herself with some heavy duty plastic surgery to get even with a suitor, was a game-changer for her.
She began to realise the power of cinema and of her own performance. While her wariness of the spotlight hasn’t dimmed — perhaps due to her fractured personal relationships punctuated by marriage breakdowns and alleged affairs with co-stars — there’s no denying her role as a trailblazer in Indian cinema. Whether it’s playing a courtesan with class in Umrao Jaan or the girl next door in the romantic drama Khoobsurat, Rekha doesn’t shy away from re-inventing herself.
Reel Life:
From Left: Phool Bane Angaray (1991), Khubsoorat (1980), Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996) and Silsila (1981).
From Left: Khoon Bhari Maang (1988), Umrao Jaan (1981), Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) and Super Nani (2014).
Congratulations on being honoured with the Diff Lifetime Achievement Award.
It’s extremely humbling, gratifying and inspiring to receive this award. I’ve always maintained that awards are a symbol of validation and endorse the fact that one is valued. Receiving an award, particularly the Diff Lifetime achievement award, is an added responsibility as I am representing my country as a proud Indian.
Looking back on your illustrious journey in the world of films, what has been the most glorious moment?
Every moment is glorious and a learning process. But the most memorable ones are the unexpected moments of appreciation bestowed upon you by your peers, directors, co-stars, family and, most importantly, by my fans across the world because it is them who have an uncanny judgement of my craft.
How do you look back on your journey in Indian films and which actress do you think shows the most promise today and why?
I never look back. My nature is to always live in the moment. I am perpetually excited and challenged to take the next step towards the never-ending urge to create and share. I believe every actor today is extremely skilled and confident in his approach. It fascinates me how they are all so open to any kind of role or genre, [and] perform with the utmost sincerity and finesse.
Bollywood films are going through a transition where content is ruling over colour. What’s your take on films these days?
This is the best phase of our industry in a long, long time, be it in the field of technical expertise or performances, especially because one is exposed to the competitive challenges of world cinema. The fearlessness with which today’s actors choose their roles and take risks is commendable and amaze me.
Are actors today more open about showing vulnerability? For instance, Deepika Padukone and Kangana Ranaut have openly spoken about mental health and their insecurities.
Personally I don’t get a chance to interact with them much. I have always been non-judgmental and my nature is to always give the benefit of the doubt. If they are not hesitant to show their vulnerability, I am not sure that’s a bad thing at all, as my motto has always been ‘live and let live’.
Which era in your career would you call the most eventful and why?
Every stage of my career has been eventful and a huge blessing. But deep down I believe that the best era of my life is right round the corner.
Who was your favourite co-star to work with and why?
As an actor each and every one of your co-stars have something unique to offer and teach you. Yes, the cliche is you vibe better with some of them or that you make a better on screen pair. I am a keen observer and a student of every situation I’m blessed and it is my good fortune that it has been a huge learning process with each and every one of my co-stars. And I shall be eternally indebted to them for that.
How will you describe yourself in three words?
I Me Myself [laughs]. Figure that one out.
What are your three top tips to all those who aspire to become a legend like you?
Firstly, I don’t consider myself to be a legend and I don’t understand the term living legend either, so I wouldn’t have the faintest idea to give you tips for the making of one. Also I don’t believe that one should even dare to aspire to become a legend. It is up to the world to proclaim you legend or not. All that I aspire to be is the best version of myself.
You are eternally graceful, how difficult is it to maintain that?
I must confess that I am not very good at responding or reacting to compliments, though I do understand and appreciate your sincere point of view. If you say that I am beautiful and graceful, I cannot take credit for that. I can only attribute that to my parents who were phenomenally beautiful and graceful … to point of fault. As far as aura goes I believe we are all a part of the Creator, so it is only inevitable that we all possess our own unique aura, but is up to our individual selves how its luminosity affects people by one’s positive karmas.
Is there an actor or director that you would love to collaborate with in Bollywood?
To that my question would be: are you planning to become a producer in Bollywood? [Laughs]. Just kidding. For the record it’s always the director and the production house who has a say on which actor they choose to collaborate with. It’s never the other way around. Having said that, the criteria is always a good subject, a well-etched character and a talented director who has the gift of bringing out the best in me. That’s what counts. As far as which actor is concerned, again the choice is not mine. It’s totally up to the filmmakers. One can merely suggest a name. But only if they are open to it and it is really not my place.
What are your thoughts about the UAE and what do you think of the women here?
I have the utmost respect and am in awe of what a long way both the UAE as a country and its women have evolved to be. They have grown to become their optimum best selves. I have a soft spot for this neighbouring country and its traditions, its far-sightedness and more importantly a loving open heart to the entire world and its cultures. I feel very much at home in Dubai and I can’t wait to join the celebration of world cinema and interact with the greats of the field. Well done, Diff. I’m proud of you.
What’s your philosophy in life and do you ever consider mortality in any specific way?
My philosophy is to always do my best without expecting anything in return. In Hindi, the saying goes: ‘Karm karo, phal ka mat socho’. I have high standards for myself and my mother had great dreams for me. I just hope and pray that the world remembers me as truly being the daughter of the only two legends that I know — Gemini and Pushpavalli Ganeshan.
Don’t miss it!
The Dubai International Film Festival runs from December 7 to 14. For tickets and schedules, go to diff.ae.
