Reliving Big B-Rekha's screen chemistry
In the wake of Rekha's recent nomination to the Rajya Sabha came Amitabh Bachchan's declaration that he wouldn't rule out starring with the actress once again, given a good script. He said, "If there is a good story...and (we) like it...then why not work together?" he said.
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In the wake of Rekha's recent nomination to the Rajya Sabha came Amitabh Bachchan's declaration that he wouldn't rule out starring with the actress once again, given a good script. He said, "If there is a good story...and (we) like it...then why not work together?" he said.
Amitabh and Rekha have not appeared in a movie since 1981's Silsila, a movie thought to imitate their alleged real life triangle with Jaya Bachchan. While the ‘good story' may never come about, there's no doubt that the old Amitabh-Rekha magic would be worth recreating. Here's a look at the films they starred in together: -
Do Anjaane (1976): Amitabh and Rekha shared the screen space for the first time in Do Anjaane. The movie not only marked Rekha's transformation from fat to fab, it was also apparently the start of her off screen affair with the Angry Young Man, already married to Jaya Bhaduri for three years.
The movie - which followed the formula of love, betrayal and revenge - was a huge hit at the box office. For Rekha, who played Amitabh's ambitious wife, it was a breakthrough of sorts, the first dramatic role she appeared in after a playing a string of glamour girl parts. -
Alaap (1977): Their second movie together, Alaap was a critically acclaimed drama in which Amitabh played the musically inclined son of a disapproving father. Rumour has it that Amitabh and Rekha used to meet at a bungalow belonging to one of Rekha's friends during the shooting of Alaap.
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Immaan Dharam (1977): A Shashi Kapoor-Amitabh movie about two petty criminals who decide to go straight, Immaan Dharam tanked at the box office but, by all accounts, the Amitabh-Rekha love story was in full blossom though still quite secret.
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Khoon Pasina (1977): Then came Khoon Pasina, which washed away the box office blues for the on screen couple. Amitabh was the protagonist in the movie, while Rekha played a village belle in love with the hero.
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Ganga Ki Saugandh (1978): In yet another rural setting, Amitabh played a villager turned dacoit and Rekha his rustic sweetheart. Whispers of the affair first started as they shot for this film. According to reports, a jealous Big B came to fisticuffs with one of the crew who had gotten too close to Rekha.
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Muqaddar Ka Sikander (1978): Rekha played a courtesan who falls in love with the troubled and lovelorn Amitabh, dancing seductively to the song Salaam-e-Ishq Meri Jaan. Muqaddar Ka Sikander remains one of their best known films together.
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Mr Natwarlal (1979): In this blockbuster hit, Amitabh Bachchan played a revengeful younger brother who creates a secret identity as a shadowy underworld figure. Rekha played his love interest and appeared in the famous song Pardesia... Sab Kehte Hain Maine Tujhko Dil De Diya.
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Suhaag (1979): Another Shashi-Amitabh movie, the movie followed the brothers lost and found formula and was a box office hit. Amitabh and Rekha managed to steal the show from Shashi Kapoor-Parveen Babi, the second lead pair in the movie.
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Ram Balram (1980): By the time this film was released, rumours were rife that Amitabh and Rekha were spending more time together and away from the sets. There were also reports that Jaya Bachchan had made it very clear to Rekha that she would never leave her husband.
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Silsila (1981): Their last movie together managed to catch the alleged love triangle of Amitabh-Jaya-Rekha on celluloid perfectly and was considered a casting coup of sorts on the part of director Yash Chopra. The chemistry between Amitabh and Rekha as the star crossed lovers was nothing short of nuclear, and the movie was a blockbuster hit. Sadly for a generation of Amitabh-Rekha fans, it was to be their last movie together.
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