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Bollywood legend Rekha received the Red Sea Honouree Award during the presentation of the restored edition of Muzaffar Ali’s 1981 masterpiece Umrao Jaan
at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah. Embracing her legendary Umrao Jaan character, Rekha recited shayari while discussing the enchantment of cinema.
Rekha on Being “Alive Because of Films”
While engaging with a fan on stage, Rekha referenced lines from the iconic song “Dil Cheez Kya Hai” from Umrao Jaan, stating: “In this gathering, you must come repeatedly ... recognize the walls and doors carefully.”
Rekha encouraged the audience to fully embrace cinema, expressing how profoundly therapeutic films can be.
She remarked, “You should watch this film every day. Attend films daily. That’s the only comfort. There’s no remedy, no healing substance like films. I am a testament to that. I exist because of films.”
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Rekha Reflects on Her Craft
Rekha shared insights about her reserved personality, noting that she communicates more through silence and feelings than through spoken words. “I’m not one to speak much. Even in Umrao Jaan, the dialogues expressed only a fraction of what my eyes could convey... I believe a single glance is sufficient.”
Rekha Remembers Her Mother
The seasoned actress reminisced about her mother, Pushpavalli, sharing a valuable lesson she frequently imparted: “You don’t discuss your successes and emotions. You don’t instruct others by telling them what to do. You simply lead by example... live your best life, and they will learn and grow, especially what to avoid.”
About Umrao Jaan
Adapted from Mirza Hadi Ruswa's 1899 Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada, the film narrates the story of a Lucknow tawaif (courtesan) and poet who achieves prominence. The film is regarded as one of the most acclaimed performances in Rekha’s remarkable career.
