'Rekha worked in Duniya Ka Mela because of Jaya Bachchan': Author Hanif Zaveri reveals Amitabh Bachchan used to...

Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha made headlines when rumours about them dating started. Rekha and Jaya Bachchan were once very close friends and even lived in the same building.

In a recent interview with Meri Saheli, author Hanif Zaveri shared details about their friendship. He mentioned that it was because of Jaya Bachchan that Rekha worked in the film Duniya Ka Mela. He stated, "When Jaya Bachchan moved from Pune Institute to Mumbai, she was looking for a place to stay. At that time, Asrani Sahab, who lived at Juhu Beach, helped arrange a flat for her on rent. Jaya lived on the first floor, and Rekha was in the same building as she used to travel between Madras and Mumbai."

 

 

 

 

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He further added, "This shared living arrangement led to their friendship. It was Jaya who convinced Rekha to work in Duniya Ka Mela. In fact, Anwar Ali mentioned in my first book that there was a time when he would see Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya travelling in a car, with Rekha also present alongside them."

In 1990, while speaking to Zoom, Amitabh Bachchan talked about their off-screen chemistry. He said, “When two co-actors work together in several projects, there is bound to be talk of their wonderful association on screen. People would naturally talk of that association. She is a terrific co-star. We share a wonderful onscreen chemistry. I’ve enjoyed working with her, especially in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Alaap and Yash Chopra’s Silsila, and would love to work with her again.”

In a throwback interview, Rekha once said, “The one and only Amitabh Bachchan. He's my guru. I learned so much from him.”

Rekha appeared in seven films alongside Amitabh Bachchan, with their final collaboration being Silsila in 1981. She once shared that every moment spent with Big B on screen was a valuable learning experience. 

For the unversed, Rekha, Jaya Bachchan, and Amitabh Bachchan's personal dynamics have often been discussed, especially regarding their film Silsila (1981), which is filled with speculation about real-life connections.

This was their last film together, but they remain one of Bollywood's most iconic pairs. In an interview, Rekha admitted to being "in love" with Amitabh, describing her feelings as "passionate and desperate." However, she clarified that they never had a personal relationship, saying, "There was never a personal connection with him. Never ever."