Exclusive Interview with Bollywood Queen: Rekha

Mumbai: Rekha, one of the most versatile actresses in Bollywood, turns 51 on Tuesday and says she has reached a stage where she can do justice to any role offered to her.


"For the past 10 years I've reached a stage where I could do justice to any role that came my way. It could be the role of a mother, sister-in-law, a negative or positive role. I've done it all with equal sincerity and passion," Rekha said.


The evergreen actress said she is fortunate as people notice her in the minutest of roles.


"I'm blessed because people notice me even if I appear at a function for two minutes. My appearance in Krrish too is rather brief. Today I think I'm at the best stage of my life and career. No matter what I do, people are responsive and, to my good fortune, appreciative,” Rekha said.



Excerpts from an interview:


Subhash K Jha: Javed Akhtar thinks you've touched new chords in your performing prowess in Krrish?

Rekha: What can I say? I'm really honoured and touched. He had felt the same way about me in Lajja. These days I'm lucky if I'm noticed for my roles. I just breeze in and breeze out on screen.


Subhash K Jha: Why do you say that?


Rekha: That's how brief my appearances are both on and off screen. I'm blessed because people notice me even if I appear at a function for two minutes. My appearance in Krrish too is rather brief. Simiji (Garewal) saw the film and said she can't bear to see me as a grandmother.


Subhash K Jha: That thought is unacceptable to me also.


Rekha: You forget that I'm an actor. For the past 10 years I've reached a stage where I could do justice to any role that came my way. It could be the role of a mother, sister-in-law or a negative or positive role. I've done it all with equal sincerity and passion.


I was asked why I did a negative role in Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi or soft porn like Basu Bhattacharya's Astha? After Astha people had a lot to say about my role of a wife who moonlights as a prostitute. I don't have problems playing anything.


Subhash K Jha: Why this democratic attitude for an actress known to be super-selective?


Rekha: I was never selective. Nor do I believe any longer that I'm the chosen one. Nowadays I believe I'm one of the chosen ones because there're so many others.


You know being a character actor isn't a blessing in India. Abroad even an actor like Al Pacino is treated like a character actor and given his rightful place.