Rekha: The divine diva
http://rediff.com/movies/2003/may/17dinesh.htm
Dinesh Raheja
It was the premiere of Sawan Bhadon (Navin Nischol, Ranjeet) at Mumbai's Novelty cinema in September 1970. Slack-jawed shock jolted the guests as they caught sight of the film's debutant heroine -- a dusky, obese 16-year-old whose 33-inch waist strained against a gaudy, black-and-blue sequined gharara. A bouffant with stiff kiss curls and a profusion of ringlets completed the unlikely picture. An amazed Shashi Kapoor uttered in disbelief, "How is this dark, plump and gauche actress ever going to make it?"
His wife Jennifer nevertheless recognised the inexplicable star quality within the south Indian teenager and prophesised that she would be the darling of the masses for years to come.
Rekha became famous and made Jennifer's prophecy come magnificently true.
Rekha's landmark films
Year
Film
Costars
1970
Sawan Bhadon
Navin Nischol
1972
Rampur Ka Lakshman
Randhir Kapoor
1973
Kahani Kismet Ki
Dharmendra
1978
Ghar
Vinod Mehra
1978
Muqaddar Ka Sikander
Amitabh Bachchan,
Vinod Khanna, Rakhee
1979
Mr Natwarlal
Amitabh Bachchan
1980
Judaai
Jeetendra
1980
Khubsoorat
Rakesh Roshan
1981
Kalyug
Raj Babbar,
Anant Nag
1981
Umrao Jaan
Farooque Shaikh,
Naseerudin Shah
1981
Silsila
Amitabh Bachchan,
Sanjeev Kumar,
Jaya Bachchan
1985
Utsav
Shashi Kapoor,
Shekhar Suman
1988
Khoon Bhari Maang
Kabir Bedi,
Sonu Walia
1999
Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi
Akshay Kumar,
Raveena Tandon
She went on to do more films as a heroine than any other Hindi film actress. Moreover, Rekha became the original makeover miracle. Even after three long decades in the industry, she remains a glamour icon for the couture cognoscenti.
But Rekha's 33-year-long journey to her current position as Queen Bee emeritus, the doyenne of the philosophical sound bite, has been paved with several potholes and strewn with emotional landmines.
Edited By arsh on 1053192987