Amitabh Bachchan has long addressed public speculation regarding his personal life, particularly recurring rumours concerning his professional relationship with former co-star Rekha. In a 1999 interview for the book Amitabh Bachchan: The Legend, the actor criticised tabloid reports that frequently linked him to the actress, labelling such claims as unmitigated accusations made to generate sensational news copy. He challenged the media to provide tangible proof of any alleged impropriety, noting that he had no interest in reacting to unsubstantiated stories that only served to fuel further gossip.
The actor specifically recalled a magazine report that falsely claimed Rekha had moved into his family bungalow, Pratiksha. He expressed frustration that such reports, often published alongside photographs of his residence, were misleading to the public. Clarifying the reality of his living situation, Bachchan emphasised that Pratiksha was a family home shared with his parents. He noted that he found it demeaning to repeatedly issue clarifications, suggesting that his public profile may have made him an easy target for such narratives.
During a separate discussion on Simi Garewal’s talk show, Bachchan maintained that his association with Rekha was strictly professional. He stated that they had worked together on films such as Do Anjaane and Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, but had not collaborated for many years, adding that they shared little in common socially. Despite his consistent denials, the topic has remained a subject of public interest. Years later, in a 2004 appearance on the same talk show, Rekha spoke openly about her deep admiration for Bachchan, responding affirmatively when asked about the intensity of her feelings for the veteran star. The evolving discourse continues to reflect the starkly different perspectives held by the two icons regarding their storied public history.
Comments