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Bollywood icon Rekha was felicitated with the Red Sea Honouree Award at the screening of the restored version of Muzaffar Ali’s 1981 classic Umrao Jaan
at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah. Channelling her iconic Umrao Jaan persona, Rekha even recited shayari as she spoke about the magic of cinema.
Rekha on Being “Alive Because of Films”
While addressing a fan on stage, Rekha invoked lines from the legendary song “Dil Cheez Kya Hai” from Umrao Jaan, said: “Is anjuman mein aapko aana hai baar baar ... deewar-o-dar ko gaur se pehchaan lijiye.”
Rekha then urged the audience to embrace cinema wholeheartedly, sharing how deeply healing films can be.
She said, “You come to see this film every single day. Come to see films every single day. That’s the only soothing factor. There’s no potion, no healing material than films. I am a living example. I am alive because of films.”
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Rekha Reflects on Her Craft
Rekha opened up about her introverted nature, explaining that she expresses more through silence and emotions than words. “I am not much of a talker. Even in Umrao Jaan, the dialogues conveyed only half of what my eyes could see and express... I think one look is enough.”
Rekha Remembers Her Mother
The veteran actor fondly recalled her mother, Pushpavalli, sharing a life lesson she often repeated: “You don't talk about your achievements and feelings. You don't teach people by telling them what to do. You just live by example... live your best life, and they can learn and evolve, especially what not to do.”
About Umrao Jaan
Based on Mirza Hadi Ruswa's 1899 Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada, the film follows the journey of a Lucknow tawaif (courtesan) and poet who rises to fame. The movie remains one of the most celebrated performances of Rekha’s illustrious career.
