When Rekha made headlines for wearing a burqa!

The evergreen Rekha celebrates her 69th birthday today. She is inarguably ageing in reverse and there is no other who can match her elegance and style. Speaking to ETimes, film historian Dilip Thakur shares what makes her relevant even in today's times.
"Rekha’s biggest plus point is that despite having a 53-year-long career, she’s today’s heroine. When a heroine’s career goes past her prime, we look at her in flashback.

We count them in yesteryear actresses. People never called Rekha as yesteryear’s actress. Those who become Rekha’s fans remain Rekha’s fans. Photographer Jagdish Mali once told me that Rekha’s energy for a photoshoot at 9 am would remain the same throughout the day. No matter how many costume changes, makeup changes, jewelry or accessory changes. Rekha’s stamina remained the same throughout the day. And even today, wherever Rekha goes, she is the star attraction. She still has news value.

Sawan Bhado

was released on 4 October 1970. Today is 10th October 2023, Rekha is still in the news whether it is her charm, glamour, gossip," he says.
In her illustrious film career, Rekha worked with the top directors like Gulzar, Ramesh Sippy, Prakash Mehra,

Manmohan Desai

, and Vidhu Vinod Chopra among others. "Jagdish Mali and Gautam Rajadhyaksha were Rekha’s favourite photographers. Once, Jagdish Mali had an assignment with Rekha on a Sunday. But Mali didn’t go there. Instead, he went to play cricket and he quit his job. Rekha was surprised by this so on one Sunday, she went to watch a cricket match somewhere in Bandra!" Thakur recalls.
Dilip also recalled the time when the media was called to Mehboob Studio for Sheshnaag, where

Saroj Khan

was choreographing a song with Rekha. "Rekha was not able to get the dance moves right with the

Sheshnaag

attire. She made the media to leave the studio! Once, we were called to Film City on Udaan’s set. When Rekha came to the set, she asked for the media list. She removed one journalist from the list and said that media shouldn’t enter the set. For a court case, Rekha arrived in a burqa in the court. That also became a news. That’s Rekha. Wherever she goes, there’s a news," he concludes.