The eternal beauty, the enigma lady, and one of the most glorified actresses in the world of Bollywood, Rekha, has spent much time in the limelight because of her beauty, charisma, and a career that has spanned more than 50 years. However, even more than her fantastic movie career, it is her relationship with Amitabh Bachchan that has always been a source of speculation.
Their presence and absence relationship was electric on the screen, and their off-screen relationship has always been one of the most discussed chapters in Bollywood history.
During one of her throwbacks, Rekha recalled a rather interesting experience when she was on the sets of Silsila, a movie that reflected the reality rumors that existed between her and Amitabh Bachchan. She remembered how Amitabh offered her some very unexpected advice that surprised and made her laugh simultaneously. His teaching was: Isse bura kya ho sakta hai?
And now, into the same absorbing tale, the emotional background of the film, and the manner in which Rekha has so deftly managed that portion of her life throughout the years.
Silsila, directed by Yash Chopra, was not just another love story. It was a movie that explored forbidden love, specifically the relationship between a married man and another woman. The casting also helped to make it even more intriguing.
Three names, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, and Rekha, that brought a tempest of gossip. The rumours regarding the relationship between Rekha and Amitabh were already hitting newspapers at that time. It was daring to say the least to have all three of them in a love triangle.
Many years after this, Rekha revealed to us the years of shooting Silsila. In one of her direct interviews, she narrated a tale that made me see a new side of Amitabh Bachchan, and that is his cool and composed personality even in extreme circumstances.
Rekha once claimed on the set that she used to be nervous and sought the advice of Amitabh on how to deal with the excessive attention and feelings during the shooting. The reply of Amitabh was easy and odd:
“Isse bura kya ho sakta hai?”
Rekha replied that she did not quite accept what he said. However, with time, she understood him. It was his means of saying,–Get used to the worst and all the rest will come easy. It was one lesson of power, remaining calm and playing the hand one is given.
The advice stayed with her. It assisted her in coping with the messiness that usually encompassed her life and career.
This piece of advice by Amitabh may seem weird on the surface (Amitabh asks: Isse bura kya ho sakta hai?), but it is very meaningful. It is concerned with the ability to confront the most difficult circumstances in life.
Rekha took it to mean that, despite the situation looking bad, one should not panic and move ahead. This attitude got her through numerous problems in her life: media attention, isolation, career failures, and victories.
The reason is that Rekha once remarked that she has learnt to live gracefully regardless of the difficulty involved in life. The single line by Amitabh was her representation of the way she faced life after that – accepting and strong.
Rekha is not just her connection with Amitabh Bachchan. She is among the few actresses who have developed over time and remained relevant. There is no comparison to her versatility.
Rekha has played all shades of women as the seductive courtesan in Umrao Jaan and the flirtatious wife in Khubsoorat. She put depth, grace, and mystery in her roles – something that few could achieve.
She has been a winner of national and Filmfare awards, but above all, she has won the hearts of millions who still admire her allure. She is a 70-year-old lady who is confident and graceful even now.
The memory of Rekha about Amitabh Bachchan telling her that it is bura kya ho sakta hai (then how much worse it can be) is not a mere old memory. It is a mirror of what she has acquired in the process of her seeking lessons, which is strength, acceptance, and going on despite the difficulties.
To Rekha, these words were a life motto. To her audience, they provide a look into the emotionalism of a woman who has experienced all the hues of love, pain, and glory.
Though she still is a representation of beauty and strength even nowadays, Rekha makes us all remember that strength does not reside in the absence of pain but in accepting it with grace.
