Rekha is regarded as one of the most recognisable and adaptable actresses in Indian cinema today. Throughout her decades-long career, she has captivated audiences with her unparalleled on-screen persona, classic beauty, and versatility in portraying characters from various genres. Admired by admirers of all ages, Rekha's fame endures. But beneath her legendary reputation is a journey of great adversity, tenacity, and intensely personal struggles that moulded her into the woman and celebrity she would become.
Her early years in Bollywood were far from easy. Rekha had difficulties outside of her career as a young girl just beginning to enter the spotlight.
Yasser Usman's book Rekha: The Untold Story provides a closer look at the actress's early years and the numerous pivotal moments in her career, documenting her life with all its highs and lows. One particularly startling instance from these narratives sticks out: a contentious on-screen kiss that left a young Rekha emotionally damaged.
According to the biography, Rekha's trust was betrayed when a romantic scene between her and actor Biswajeet was manipulated during the filming of Anjana Safar at Bombay's Mehboob Studios. Not even 15 years old at the time, Rekha was not aware of the scheme that Biswajeet, producer Kuljeet Pal, and director Raja Nawathe had come up with.
Biswajeet abruptly drew Rekha in and planted a kiss on her as the cameras started rolling. The young actress was kept in the moment for almost five minutes, unable to comprehend what was happening, as the director refused to call "cut."
The incident left Rekha shaken. Her innocence was further damaged by the reported cheers and whistles from the film crew. Her eyes swelled with tears but stayed firmly closed. According to the book, she was plagued by the incident for years.
Rekha later opened up about the trauma, saying, “I didn’t do it. I was taken by surprise. Nothing could’ve compensated, nothing can wipe off what I felt. Not even the coverage it got in Life magazine.”
Biswajeet, on his part, would go on to defend himself by blaming the director for the episode, claiming it was not done for his pleasure but for the film. Even so, he admitted that Rekha felt “betrayed and furious” by the experience.
In addition to reflecting Rekha's own suffering, this traumatic period in her life also captures the harsher realities of the 1970s film industry, where young women were frequently exploited. Nevertheless, Rekha's strength and tenacity are demonstrated by her ability to overcome these setbacks and become one of the most renowned and formidable actresses of her era.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
