Sunday, June 1, 2003		In the spotlight

"I only compete with myself"

Rekha: The Enigma

The Enigma, that’s how Indian screen goddess Rekha is often referred to. Talented, ever beautiful, she is in the mould of a classic star with an aura of glamour and mystery. Shoma A. Chatterji catches up with her during the shooting of Koi Mil Gaya in Mumbai.

Rekha is a simplified form of her real name – Bhanurekha. The name conjures up her larger-than-life image, her passionate relationship with Indian superstar Amitabh Bachchan, which was fodder for the Press during the seventies and eighties besides her other liaisons with men. But to profile this exotic specimen of womanhood is no simple matter as you examine her exciting celluloid journey for more than three decades. Beginning with Saawan Bhadon in 1970, Rekha acted precisely in 144 films till 1991. She has slowed down since then. The studio was her playground since she was born into a film family. But she has surpassed the fame and the glory of her parents, and has gone far beyond her immediate involvement in films by turning her attention towards the larger framework of life – yoga, aerobics, workouts. She has class, dignity and a regal bearing, all acquired through honing and determination. Readying to face the camera for the umpteenth time in Mumbai’s Film City for Rakesh Roshan’s Koi Mil Gaya, she is also doing an important role in Ram Gopal Verma’s forthcoming Bhoot.

Excerpts from an interview:

Which are some of your most challenging performances?

It is yet to come. There was a time when seven of my films were running simultaneously. All of them turned out to be hits at the box office. Among them were Khubsoorat, which bagged for me the Filmfare Award, and Umrao Jaan, that fetched me the National Award. But none of them explored my total potential as an actress. Acting in Devdas or playing a role like Meena Kumari’s in Pakeezah would have been a challenge. The female version of Tony in Scarface is another dream role. But, I guess, the grass is always greener on the other side!

(Laughs.) If you insist, I would choose the roles I did in Saawan Bhadon, Do Anjaane, Aalap, Muqaddar Ka Sikander, Ghar, Silsila, Umrao Jaan, Khoon Bhari Maang, Ijaazat and Phool Bane Angaarey among my best.

You won’t believe this, but I still get butterflies in my stomach when I am in front of the camera. I do not believe in planning an expression for a particular shot because once the camera is on, it is pure magic. I am constantly looking for inspiration to guide that perfect shot. My main inspiration today is the vibes I keep getting from the environment around me. Over time, I have taught myself to look at the extraordinary in the simple things of life. They give me strength.

There is a feeling of healthy togetherness rather than of competition. But then, competition does not bother me at all. I only compete with myself – pushing myself harder till I am better than the best. And if you think this comes from the label of ‘gorgeous looks’ people have chosen to qualify me with, I do not agree because I insist that it comes from a mind which is as clear as a blank slate. Every day brings with it a fresh ray of hope, new dreams and aspirations.

I take the ups and downs equally in my stride. After all the adulation and the appreciation, the roles offered, the hits, the adversities and positive outcomes, I have learnt to believe that I have absolutely no reason to be bitter about anything. I have no reason to complain. I do not believe in limiting the definition of my success to my career alone. I extend the meaning of success to encompass my whole persona.

Of course, I can. One is when I got the National Award in 1981, barely a decade after I stepped into films. The person who informed me about the award is another source of happiness I will never ever forget. I was thrilled when I discovered that I could finally shed my weight that bogged me down so much. The day when I realised that I could never be alone because I was my best friend is another happy day in the calendar of my life. Finally, there is the day when I realised that there is life and that I should live it to the fullest.

That’s easy. I am a human being first, then a woman, then a daughter, then a fellow human being, and only then an actress. Acting is my profession. It is my chosen form of vocation. I believe it is more important to make a difference in somebody’s life.

What about it? It does not exist. It is a media creation and I cannot do anything about it. What mysticism are you talking about? Had there been any, would I have consented to this meeting? Trans World Features