Evergreen actress Rekha doesn't see the point in celebrating life on just one specific day, whether it's her birthday or during festivals like Diwali or Christmas. To her, every single day is a gift, and she wants to make the most of each moment. In an old interview with Zoom, she talked about positivity, being an inspiration to others and much more.
Excerpts from the interview
Is it true you don’t celebrate your birthdays anymore?
Every moment is a blessing from God. I don’t need to visit temples on my birthday. There’s a temple right here in my house and that’s where I’ll pray, as I do every day. I don’t believe in star signs and horoscopes. I feel I’m bonded with the whole universe.
How do you manage to remain so positive in spite of so much negativity around you?
I don’t think about negative things. There’s so much beauty, so much love and excitement to be savoured every day. Hum negative cheezon ko itni ehmeeyat kyon dete hain? People can get to us only if we allow them to. Besides I don’t believe people are negative without reason. Even the cobra that bites you has reason to do so.
ALSO READ: When Rekha Revealed Jaya Bachchan’s REACTION To Her ‘Love Scenes’ With Amitabh Bachchan: Tears Poured Down….
You have always conducted yourself with great grace.
Sorry, beautiful music is conducted. Lives cannot be conducted. At least I’ve always gone with the flow, risen and fallen with the rhythms of existence without, haha, tripping over seriously. My current high is bonding with Shah Rukh Khan. Of course, I’ve known him for years. But lately, we’re connecting more profoundly. I’ve done a blink-and-miss appearance in Om Shanti Om and that’s when I got to know him seriously. He has a sharp mind.
So you are finally reaching out to people?
It isn’t as if I don’t want to reach out to people. Of course, I do. I’m a normal healthy woman. But to me, reaching out to people, and making demands over their time and attention is an encroachment. I’d rather connect once in a while. That’s enough to keep me going. Some selected few like Hema always have access to me. She and I go back a long way. And we’re very fond of each other…I’ve heard that she wants to direct me. She just has to ask. There are some people whom I can never say no to. We may speak once in a while. But I’m deeply connected to these people.
You inspire many women?
I’m glad. Because I inspire myself all the time. Life never ceases to amaze me. Life makes me feel I’m the luckiest person on this earth. At one time I used to be fascinated by the thought of how this world began… how did the Creator think of making this beautil qaayanat(universe) and who created the Creator? The search was endless. Today I’ve stopped questioning. I’ve started living. The only way to start enjoying the beauty that surrounds you is to stop questioning and start living life. One lifetime isn’t enough to imbibe and savour all the marvels of Nature. Where’s the time to keep asking questions? I’d rather enjoy the laughter of a child or the voice of Lata Didi….Ek pal jo abhi hai wohnikal jata hai hamesha ke liye. I’ve wasted years questioning the Creator. I’ve so much more to do.
You sound philosophical?
I’m not. I’ve accepted everything in life. My mother taught me to take everything in life from age to criticism with humility. You have the confidence to carry your age without self-consciousness. I’m proud even of that wrinkle which appears on my face. It’s a symbol of all that life has taught me for years. Ageing is so inevitable. All the choices I’ve made, all the people I’ve met, all the hurt and all the happiness. They’ve all carved every contour on my face. And I’m proud of them all. I don’t give that much importance to physical beauty. My looks are only small. Looks are just a reflection of who you are from within. No amount of expensive saris, diamonds and makeup can make you look beautiful unless you are at peace inside.
Are you at peace with yourself?
Lots of worldly wrongs have happened to me. But I didn’t wallow in them and let them affect me in a negative way. Every day I go through the bad and the good. There’s an angel and devil within me. It’s up to us to choose who rules our lives. We all have a choice in life. We can make something positive happen in every situation. That’s the key to my life. I’m always asked why I’m so calm all the time, is it a façade? I agree I’m a great actor on screen. But no one can live a lifetime of lies. I don’t believe in living a lie. But I know a lot of people think I live a lie. If that’s how they feel about me, so be it.
You had once famously called yourself God’s Chosen One.
I don’t believe any longer that I’m the chosen one. Nowadays I believe I’m one of the chosen ones. Because there are so many others. I’m happy being who I am, and doing what I’ve to do. It’s such a blessing to pick up any role and try to do justice to it. Being a character actor isn’t a huge blessing in India. Abroad even an actor like Al Pacino is treated like a character actor and given his rightful place.
But you can’t be deemed a character actor?
Mujhe koi mushqil se actor bol de to main badi khush hoon.
Now look who’s being over-modest?
No, I’m not. The thing is, too much importance has been given to my glamour, clothes, whatever. Today, I think I’m in the best stage of my life and career. No matter what I do, people are responsive and, to my good fortune, appreciative. I’ve felt this way for the past ten years. And I say this with utmost humility and sincerity. There’s nothing else I can do on this earth to earn a living except acting. The fact is, and this will shock you, I don’t say no to any offer except when I feel the producer or director’s intentions aren’t honest and he’s just trying to fire the gun from my shoulders.
Do you regret doing any of the films?
Everything I’ve done has taken me higher. Everything that has happened in my life has been a blessing. I consider myself the most fortunate person I know. For me, no film has been mediocre. It’s been my baby….whether handicapped or sick, you don’t reject your baby. I’ve nurtured them all. Every night when you sleep you are dying for the day, only to wake up the next morning with a new life. Hence every day is an udhar. Because you never know about the next moment. You can be on the set shooting a rain sequence, and you can be electrocuted.
Your birthday wish?
I only want to speak only if what I say makes the other person feel good. Otherwise, I might as well shut up. We all need to get a life of our own and set our house in order. Do I really have the time to criticise others when I’d rather improve myself? Life has so much to offer. There’s no need to abuse it. You’ve to make your list of dos and don’ts. A successful life isn’t to be measured by how many successful films you’ve done and how much money you’ve accumulated in your bank account. It has to do with the number of smiles you’ve brought on faces, including your own.