When the President asked Rekha about her sindoor

Rekha is not just a Bollywood legend, she’s a mystery, a style icon, and a symbol of strength. Known for her powerful roles, unmatched grace, and incredible screen presence, she’s also had her fair share of ups and downs in her personal life.

But through it all, Rekha has always managed to keep her head high and answer life’s trickiest questions with a charming smile.One such unforgettable moment came during the National Film Awards ceremony when the President of India himself asked Rekha about the sindoor she was wearing. What followed was classic Rekha, elegant, witty, and totally in control.A bold answer to a President's questionIn 1981, Rekha gave one of the most iconic performances of her career in the film ‘Umrao Jaan’.

Her portrayal won her the National Film Award for Best Actress. At the award ceremony, while she was being honoured for her brilliant acting, a very unexpected moment unfolded.As per her biography ‘Rekha: The Untold Story’ by Yasser Usman, then-President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy noticed the sindoor (a traditional red mark worn by married Hindu women) in Rekha’s hair parting and asked her about it. With grace and a touch of cheeky humour, Rekha replied, “In the city I come from, applying sindoor is common … it is fashionable!”That one line summed up Rekha’s spirit, elegant, confident, and full of charm.

Much like her characters Kalpana in ‘Jhoothi’ and Manju in ‘Khubsoorat’, her wit shone through even under the spotlight.While Rekha’s on-screen life was filled with glamour, her real life had many difficult chapters. She was often linked romantically with several male actors, making her personal life a constant topic of gossip and speculation. In 1990, Rekha married Mukesh Agarwal, a Delhi-based businessman. Sadly, just eight months into the marriage, he died by suicide. Reports suggested he was struggling with depression. The tragedy was heartbreaking, but Rekha stayed silent, handling the situation with dignity.