Umesh Mehra: Rekha Ji’s name conjures glitz, glamour and magic – Exclusive

Elaan was a movie produced by my father greater than 50 years in the past and it was fairly a major movie because it had then upcoming stars Vinod Khanna, Vinod Mehra and Rekha. I’ve a really vivid reminiscence of Rekha coming to our home in Sherman Flats at Napean Sea Highway. Rekha got here to fulfill my father, FC Mehra, the producer of Elaan together with both her mom or her then secretary. My buddies and I, all of 16 and 17 years previous, have been taking part in cricket within the hall outdoors our dwelling. The subsequent factor we all know, Rekha joined us for the sport of cricket. She could not be involved with what movie was being deliberate or what position was being thought of for her.

She was very bubbly and outgoing. She was a really joyful individual. She was a part of all of the shouting and shenanigans that occur once you play cricket with the boys. I did go to the units after faculty however I did not have a lot interplay with Rekha till a lot later. These days I wasn’t actually energetic in movies. After faculty I joined Shammi (Kapoor) ji as an assistant director on Manoranjan (1974). I did my first movie Humare Tumhare (1979), Alibaba Aur 40 Chor (1980) after which Ashanti (1979).  After that, after I was engaged on Jaal (1986) through the casting course of I could not see past Rekha. Though I had labored very nicely with Zeenat Aman – I used to be an assistant on Manoranjan the place she was the lead. Plus, she had achieved many movies of mine together with Ashanti and Alibaba Aur 40 Chor.  

Coming again to Rekha, When Jaal was being deliberate, I knew it needed to be Rekha. Once I narrated the topic to her, she was fast to seize on to the state of affairs. Mithun had a fantastic position and so did the opposite ladies Moon Moon Sen and Mandakini, however the movie and thrust of the story belonged to Rekha. In my humble opinion she did a incredible job together with her efficiency and I really feel she deserved all of the awards however that is one other story. The movie labored wonders and had an excellent field workplace run. After that, she did numerous movies the place she was the central character. It was virtually like a second innings for Rekha’s profession. Rekha is a good actress and a beautiful individual if you recognize her. Regardless of working with Dilip Kumar, who was in a double position In Qila (1998), she put in an excellent efficiency. We labored collectively earlier than in Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996) the place she once more performed the central character reverse Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon. By then, we might already constructed a bond of belief. She gained the Filmfare award for Khiladi…

I additionally keep in mind an occasion the place Rekha ji needed to play a type of westernized bombshell position in a really fancy western costume and she or he comes dressed up with Mithun, who’s taking part in a Michael Jackson type of character in Jaal. Rekha ji was carrying a beautiful costume however she was trying slightly chubby. I keep in mind telling her, “Rekha you recognize what, this isn’t going to work. This costume just isn’t trying good on you.” She stated, “Okay. no drawback. Are you able to cancel the shoot at this time? I’ll come again in 48 hours.” In 48 hours she had modified her physique form, she slimmed down and you may see her carrying the identical costume and looking out completely attractive. That is the spirit with which Rekha ji works. Rekha the title conjures up extra than simply southern spice. It’s plenty of glitz, glamour girl energy and yeah, in the end magic.