"The one question I am often asked is 'why are you still single'" - Rekha

Stay tuned! At 50 plus, like a prime time soap opera, Rekha still gets viewers in a lather. In short, she had kept us hooked, both on and off the screen, even before it became fashionably fashionable to be 'divaesque'! For decades on, through a welter of superb performances she has been ruling the box-office and the hearts of millions of her admirers. While acres of newsprint have been written about her legendary beauty; turn to her performances, and the critics have been floored each time she out-does their expectations, and the fans have been forever asking for more. Rekha has been India's first real Superstar in the times when women played only the mandatory love interest of the heroes. How does she stay in-tune with the times? She admits it is the consistency and originality, and maintaining a balance between the two equations that keeps her going. Personifying existential wisdom... that's Rekha. No sunset boulevards for her... She's still big... It's the movies which got smaller...

How did your journey with the movies begin?
 
I never planned on being an actress. My parents were actors and travelled the world. I too wanted to travel and explore new facets of myself, so I thought I would be an air-hostess. But I was rejected being under-age. I grew up in Chennai, studied in a convent school with Irish nuns. I was completely fascinated by them and even wanted to become one. I was a loner. I'd spend time in the chapel, day-dreaming. Even back then I was an artiste by nature. I spent time in my own world, the one I created for myself. My favourite subjects were Moral Science, Art and Indian History - the Romance of Shah Jehan. Whenever I hear something romantic, I retain it. My mother wanted me to become a great star and to reach-out to everyone in India. Little did she know, with her blessings, I've managed to touch the heart of every Indian across the globe. So here I am, after four decades, connecting with four generations of fans. And I thank God for bestowing his blessings upon me!

Sawan Bhadon was your first huge hit, which brought to everyone's notice your immense potential; and since then there has been no looking back. How was the experience of it?

Sawan Bhadon was the beginning of my list of blessings. Mohan Sehgalji was a father figure. He believed in me. I remember his first question to me, "Aapko hindi aati hai?" and I promptly replied, "No!" He just smiled and said, "Koi baat nahi, mujhey aati hai. Meri film ki heroin tum he ho!" That one line changed my life! To know that a veteran like him, saw the spark in a novice like me. It was a huge responsibility to live up to. Even today, I strive to live up to his and my parent's faith in me.