Jaya once wanted Rekha banned from films with Big B

Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, and Jaya Bachchan were one of the most talked-about trios in Bollywood. Though rumours about Amitabh and Rekha’s relationship have faded over time, old stories still make news. Years ago, Amitabh stopped working with Rekha, and later, Jaya revealed the real reason behind this surprising decision.
Jaya Opens Up in a Rare Interview
In a rare 2008 interview with People magazine, Jaya Bachchan opened up about Amitabh Bachchan working with Rekha. She said she personally had no issue with it, but felt their pairing would create too much media buzz, distracting from the actual work. She believed even they knew it would go beyond professionalism.
Jaya Bachchan’s candid response subtly acknowledged the ongoing buzz about Amitabh and Rekha. She didn’t shy away from the topic, saying if there had been anything real, he would’ve been with Rekha. She added that taking such rumours seriously would’ve made life tough, but she’s “made of sterner stuff.”

Rekha’s Side of the Story
Rekha once opened up about the incident in an old interview with Stardust. She recalled shooting romantic scenes with Amitabh Bachchan for Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, which reportedly moved Jaya Bachchan to tears during a screening. Soon after, Rekha heard that Amitabh had decided not to work with her again. When she tried to confront him, he refused to comment, simply saying, “Don’t ask me about it.”

The Rise and Fall of a Rumoured Affair
Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, who starred together in Zanjeer, had a quick wedding on June 3, 1973, after the film's success. Amitabh's father allowed his London trip only if he married Jaya. They have two children, Shweta and Abhishek. Rumours of Amitabh and Rekha’s affair began after Do Anjaane (1976) and ended with

Silsila

(1981), which also featured Jaya and mirrored their alleged real-life story.