An epitome of beauty, elegance and poise, Rekha has lived a life in Bollywood that is no less than heady mix of controversies, link-ups, successes and failures too. But the yesteryear actress always stood strong and didn't let anything come in way of her glorious career.
It won't be wrong to say that even today, Rekha still remains one of the most gorgeous ladies in Bollywood who can give younger actress a run for their money. As the evergreen diva, Rekha turns 65, read some of the most unknown facts about her personal and professional life.
Nevertheless, till kingdom come, Rekha's life will always be a mystery to one and all, especially because she is so reluctant to give interviews to the press.
Here are some facts about Rekha you probably did not know...
1. Rekha's parents were not married at the time of her birth
2. She made her film debut as a heroine in the 1969 Kannada film Operation Jackpot Nalli C.I.D 999. That same year, she made her Hindi film debut with Anjana Safar.
3. On the sets of Anjana Safar, a clueless 15-year-old Rekha was forced into a five-minute long smooching scene by star Biswajeet Chatterjee and the director Raja Nawathe.
Before the shooting of the scene, all the strategy was made about it. As soon as the director said 'action', Bishwajit filled Rekha in arms and started kissing them. Rekha was stunned after seeing this. He was not given any information about this kiss in the scene. The camera kept moving, neither the director called the cut nor did Bishwajit stop. He continued to kiss the line for five consecutive minutes. Seeing this, unit members were whistling. Rekha's eyes were closed and filled with tears.
4.Rekha was not considered as top heroine until she starred with Amitabh Bachchan in Do Anjaane (1976)
5. Rekha made a 'sensational entry', in Rishi Kapoor's Wedding in 1980 wearing a spectacular white sari, with a red bindi on her forehead, and, well, red sindoor on her hair.
6.Businessman Mukesh Agarwal, committed suicide, a mere seven months after his marriage to Rekha, and the press, the film fraternity and the nation's people began blaming and slandering Rekha for her husband's death.
7. Coming from down south, she did not know Hindi and thus struggled to communicate with her cast and crew. She constantly missed her mother who was critically ill. She also had to maintain a strict diet.
8. On returning with rumoured husband actor Vinod Mehra to his house, after getting 'married' in Calcutta, Mehra's mother was angry with Vinod for having married Rekha. When Rekha went to touch her mother-in-law's feet, she, reportedly, pushed her away. She kept insulting and abusing Rekha and even, went as far as to assault the poor woman with her sandals. It took Vinod to settle issues between his mother and Rekha.
9. According to a report on the events of wedding night of Rishi Kapoor & Neetu Singh, Rekha walked up to the centre of RK Studios' garden and stood there. But her eyes kept wandering towards Amitabh Bachchan who was speaking to director Manmohan Desai. Soon, Rekha walked up to Amitabh and began talking. They were seen conversing formally, but according to a report in Stardust magazine, "Jaya tried to keep a stoic front for a long time, but eventually she had to bend her head and let the tears roll down."
10. Rekha is obsessed with make-up, so much so that during her young days, she used to be make friends airhostesses, who would bring her best of make-up bands from abroad.
11. Can you imagine the gorgeous actress was once upon a time forced to work in B and C grade Telugu films, only because of her poor financial conditions?
12. Rekha perhaps has been the only yesteryear heroine who was linked with maximum of her co-stars including the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Raj Babbar, Vinod Mehra, Navin Nischol, Jeetendra, Yash Kohli, Kiran Kumar, Shatrughan Sinha, Sajid Khan and Akshay Kumar.
13 Rekha, who is considered to be the evergreen diva and sex symbol in Bollywood, does not have a stylist. Apparently, she designers her looks and shoots herself.
14. When it comes to having fraternity friends, Rekha is best friends with dream girl Hema Malini and whenever Hema Ji has to invite friends for parties, Rekha is on her speed dial.