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Rekha: The Untold Story
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240 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
April 23, 2017
I am not a movie buff, in fact I never watch movies, unless forced to. Despite this, I knew of Rekha, the movie star of yesteryear. I knew she was illegitimate, bold, and had an ugly duckling turned swan story, and also of her great ?affair with Amitabh Bachchan, another stalwart of Bollywood. I also remember hearing of her husband's suicide.
I was keen to get a glimpse into her life, and Yasser Usman has done a good job in providing an unbiased, hopefully true version of her life. ( I feel it is next to impossible to assess actual facts in an autobio/biography)
I came to know of her clouded childhood, the early struggle in the male dominated film industry, and her subsequent rise to stardom, and the occasional scandals associated with her.
This book starts with her marriage and subsequent events leading to her husband's suicide, and then goes back into the past to trace her life from childhood till now.
All in all, a quick and interesting read.
I also had a crash course about all the movies she acted in. Have noted down a couple to watch later on, but I am not very sure that I will be able to do so.
I was keen to get a glimpse into her life, and Yasser Usman has done a good job in providing an unbiased, hopefully true version of her life. ( I feel it is next to impossible to assess actual facts in an autobio/biography)
I came to know of her clouded childhood, the early struggle in the male dominated film industry, and her subsequent rise to stardom, and the occasional scandals associated with her.
This book starts with her marriage and subsequent events leading to her husband's suicide, and then goes back into the past to trace her life from childhood till now.
All in all, a quick and interesting read.
I also had a crash course about all the movies she acted in. Have noted down a couple to watch later on, but I am not very sure that I will be able to do so.
March 14, 2021
Usman writes in a colloquial Mumbaikar tone, which is okay if you read this as mental junk food. Unfortunately, I am a big Rekha fan and hoped for a more professionally researched book. It is simply poor taste to start such an accomplished woman's story with her ex-husband's suicide.
Quotes :
-------
" ...'My daughter's memory is very sharp. If you write down the lines for her, she can quickly memorize and deliver.'... Kuljeet decided to test Pushpavalli's claim and dictated some lines in Hindi that Bhanurekha... confidently began spouting... Kuljeet couldn't believe that the Tamil-speaking girl had mastered them so convincingly. ...'I had an intuition that she would be a star. So that very night I met her mother Pushpavalli and signed her daughter for a 5-year contract... Her mother was very pleased... They were deep in debt ... ‘ "
"Bombay was like a jungle, and I walked in unarmed... Every single day I cried... I was pushed, literally dragged from one studio to another. A terrible thing to do to a 13-year old child."
"I was called the 'Ugly Duckling' of Hindi films because of my dark complexion and South Indian features. I used to feel deeply hurt when people compared me with the leading heroines of the time and said I was no match for them. I was determined to make it big."
"Rekha very quickly became popular in the industry. At one point there were about 25 Rekha-starrers on the floors. She was doing double-shifts... Rekha made sure that her interviews kept her in the news. She told one interviewer ...'You can't come close, really close, to a man without making love... It is sheer fluke that I never got pregnant so far... ‘ "
"After the success of her first few films, Rekha bought her own flat in Bombay in 1972... She shifted to Juhu's Beach Apartments at the age 18. In the same apartment building lived the actress Jaya Bhadhuri..."
"The author of the actor Mehmood's official biography, Hanif Zaveri, says ... 'Amitabh and Anwar ... [Mehmood's brother] were close friends. Anwar told me that he had often taken Amitabh and Jaya on long drives. The two would sit in the front seat of the car along with him while Rekha would sit in the back seat...' "
"Amitabh and Jaya decided to get married. On 3 June, 1973, their wedding was solemnized. Rekha however was not invited... In an interview Rekha said ...'There was a time when I looked upon Jaya as a sister... I used to think she was genuine, because she often spoke very seriously and gave me lots of loving advice. But now I realize that Jaya is a general advisor to every Tom, Dick, and Harry. All she wants to do is dominate people and that too for only as long as it suits her... ‘ "
"Rekha's transformation was a classic filmi story of a plain Jane turning into a glamorous diva... But she gave all the credit to the reigning superstar... 'From him I learned punctuality, silence, discipline, dedication, concentration and professionalism. He influenced my behavior and lifestyle. I became a vegetarian and stopped living dangerously...' "
"People say the wife is always one-up because she has the man. I say the other woman is ten-up because the man wants her... It is not a question of what does Jaya have that I don't have. What does Jaya have that I have?"
"While making the film, [director] Muzaffar Ali got a close look into Rekha's life... 'She became a walking corpse. The fault is entirely Amitabh's. He used to come and sit on our sets during the Delhi shooting of Umrao Jaan. That's a fact. ‘ "
.
Quotes :
-------
" ...'My daughter's memory is very sharp. If you write down the lines for her, she can quickly memorize and deliver.'... Kuljeet decided to test Pushpavalli's claim and dictated some lines in Hindi that Bhanurekha... confidently began spouting... Kuljeet couldn't believe that the Tamil-speaking girl had mastered them so convincingly. ...'I had an intuition that she would be a star. So that very night I met her mother Pushpavalli and signed her daughter for a 5-year contract... Her mother was very pleased... They were deep in debt ... ‘ "
"Bombay was like a jungle, and I walked in unarmed... Every single day I cried... I was pushed, literally dragged from one studio to another. A terrible thing to do to a 13-year old child."
"I was called the 'Ugly Duckling' of Hindi films because of my dark complexion and South Indian features. I used to feel deeply hurt when people compared me with the leading heroines of the time and said I was no match for them. I was determined to make it big."
"Rekha very quickly became popular in the industry. At one point there were about 25 Rekha-starrers on the floors. She was doing double-shifts... Rekha made sure that her interviews kept her in the news. She told one interviewer ...'You can't come close, really close, to a man without making love... It is sheer fluke that I never got pregnant so far... ‘ "
"After the success of her first few films, Rekha bought her own flat in Bombay in 1972... She shifted to Juhu's Beach Apartments at the age 18. In the same apartment building lived the actress Jaya Bhadhuri..."
"The author of the actor Mehmood's official biography, Hanif Zaveri, says ... 'Amitabh and Anwar ... [Mehmood's brother] were close friends. Anwar told me that he had often taken Amitabh and Jaya on long drives. The two would sit in the front seat of the car along with him while Rekha would sit in the back seat...' "
"Amitabh and Jaya decided to get married. On 3 June, 1973, their wedding was solemnized. Rekha however was not invited... In an interview Rekha said ...'There was a time when I looked upon Jaya as a sister... I used to think she was genuine, because she often spoke very seriously and gave me lots of loving advice. But now I realize that Jaya is a general advisor to every Tom, Dick, and Harry. All she wants to do is dominate people and that too for only as long as it suits her... ‘ "
"Rekha's transformation was a classic filmi story of a plain Jane turning into a glamorous diva... But she gave all the credit to the reigning superstar... 'From him I learned punctuality, silence, discipline, dedication, concentration and professionalism. He influenced my behavior and lifestyle. I became a vegetarian and stopped living dangerously...' "
"People say the wife is always one-up because she has the man. I say the other woman is ten-up because the man wants her... It is not a question of what does Jaya have that I don't have. What does Jaya have that I have?"
"While making the film, [director] Muzaffar Ali got a close look into Rekha's life... 'She became a walking corpse. The fault is entirely Amitabh's. He used to come and sit on our sets during the Delhi shooting of Umrao Jaan. That's a fact. ‘ "
.
May 7, 2017
This would be more accurately titled "Rekha: The Told Story." There is nothing here that you couldn't glean from film magazines: no inside information, no interviews of the principal players, and no research. Disappointing.
June 29, 2019
2.5/5 If books could have a “takiya-kalaam”, this book’s takiya-kalaam would be - “Amitabh Bachchan has never officially commented on this (his ‘affair’ with Rekha).”
और अगर तकिया-कलाम नहीं रखना हो, तो शीर्षक तो सही रख लीजिए - “AB’s extra-marital affair” with a subtitle - Also covers the life and times of Rekha.
I like to read biographies of sportsmen and cinema personalities and usually they limit discussion of the artist’s personal life and focus on his career. This book seemed to do the opposite. From Rekha being born out of wedlock to her numerous affairs and her love-hate relationship with the Bachchans it seemed to do the opposite. Books are meant for insights, not for gossip.
Having said that, it was an easy read and I will be picking up the author’s more acclaimed book on Rajesh Khanna - a star I dislike.
I have a bias against Juggernaut books, so why did I read this ? I also have a 6-month unlimited membership :) And the author seemed sensible on an Indian Express’ podcast.
और अगर तकिया-कलाम नहीं रखना हो, तो शीर्षक तो सही रख लीजिए - “AB’s extra-marital affair” with a subtitle - Also covers the life and times of Rekha.
I like to read biographies of sportsmen and cinema personalities and usually they limit discussion of the artist’s personal life and focus on his career. This book seemed to do the opposite. From Rekha being born out of wedlock to her numerous affairs and her love-hate relationship with the Bachchans it seemed to do the opposite. Books are meant for insights, not for gossip.
Having said that, it was an easy read and I will be picking up the author’s more acclaimed book on Rajesh Khanna - a star I dislike.
I have a bias against Juggernaut books, so why did I read this ? I also have a 6-month unlimited membership :) And the author seemed sensible on an Indian Express’ podcast.
September 16, 2016
The book is a good narrative which gives a glimpse into the life of Rekha. Although, the book is entertaining enough but most of the sources are from old interviews and media articles (which rarely tell the truth.) The author has done a lot of literature review and less of primary research. However, it saddens me a lot thinking about those times (and today too) when the woman was and is termed as "available" (well our sociology professor used the word fuckable) or not. Moreover, we just feel for Rekha after reading this book. The best thing about this book is that the author has not judged or tried to Rekha.
January 4, 2019
A few days ago this lady celebrated her sixty third birthday, and everyone was eager to take selfies with her, tag her as the eternal 'diva', praise her.
But reading this book, we realize just how high a price she has paid to earn this respect. Her dignity, pride, identity, maybe even peace of mind and sanity. All her life she struggled to overcome one negative tag after other - 'illegitimate' child, vixen, maneater, the other woman, husband killer, jinx, scarlet woman. While all of us have our vices and shortcomings, she seems to be punished viciously for hers (some of them imagined). Such an easy punching bag, publicly shamed for her complexion, weight, acting skills, flippant lifestyle and parentage.
And yet, she persevered. The very people who questioned 'How will she face the world?' later vied to work with her. If a (supposedly, in public discourse) fat, ugly, spurned teenager with an atrocious fashion sense who didn't speak any Hindi can work on herself to emerge as a model of beauty, grace and superb Urdu diction, then any of us can better ourselves to be at the top of our chosen profession. Hard work, time, patience and determination - Rekha's story reiterated in me their glories.
I wouldn't call this a biography, though it belongs to the genre. It's more a compilation, secondary source research, with smatterings of the writer's opinion and comments. There are interesting anecdotes and quotes from the past. The style is ordinary, but some time and effort has been given to a coherent presentation.
And at the end of it, the realization that anyone might write reams upon Rekha, but she will remain an enigma and her story will still remain 'untold', for perhaps that is what she chooses.
But reading this book, we realize just how high a price she has paid to earn this respect. Her dignity, pride, identity, maybe even peace of mind and sanity. All her life she struggled to overcome one negative tag after other - 'illegitimate' child, vixen, maneater, the other woman, husband killer, jinx, scarlet woman. While all of us have our vices and shortcomings, she seems to be punished viciously for hers (some of them imagined). Such an easy punching bag, publicly shamed for her complexion, weight, acting skills, flippant lifestyle and parentage.
And yet, she persevered. The very people who questioned 'How will she face the world?' later vied to work with her. If a (supposedly, in public discourse) fat, ugly, spurned teenager with an atrocious fashion sense who didn't speak any Hindi can work on herself to emerge as a model of beauty, grace and superb Urdu diction, then any of us can better ourselves to be at the top of our chosen profession. Hard work, time, patience and determination - Rekha's story reiterated in me their glories.
I wouldn't call this a biography, though it belongs to the genre. It's more a compilation, secondary source research, with smatterings of the writer's opinion and comments. There are interesting anecdotes and quotes from the past. The style is ordinary, but some time and effort has been given to a coherent presentation.
And at the end of it, the realization that anyone might write reams upon Rekha, but she will remain an enigma and her story will still remain 'untold', for perhaps that is what she chooses.
March 19, 2017
Since the time I can remember the beauty of this Bollywood Diva enchanted me. I had seen so many of her movies, collected her posters from the magazine, cassette covers, newspapers that I always thought media was in love with this lady. When I grew up a little more I came to know about her alleged relationships with her co-stars and finally her marriage to one of the Delhi based businessman that shocked me along with her other fans. Personally, as a fan, I never visualized her in any of these avatars. I loved her simplicity in Khubsurat, Utsav, Umrao Jaan and Kama Sutra. The last one needs mention because it is different in that genre. There was another movie in which she portrayed the life of a woman who was the only breadwinner of the family. She even gives up her boyfriend when she comes t o know that her widow sister secretly loved him. She portrayed one main quality of a Nari, the woman, mainly sacrifice. And I want to remember her always in that role. In fact all the movies I mentioned here has some of the shades of this trait slightly. She remains one of my favorite.
When I bought this book I knew what I would find because the author had already mentioned in the very beginning that he never got a chance to interview Rekha. So this book has all the information about her minus her POV. The author has written the book from a neutral POV. He never exaggerated her at any point in the book. What I enjoyed most in the book was the way he unfolded her layers, one beneath the other, that by the time you end the book you feel totally complete. Complete with the story of your favorite actress and loving her more for what she is, an woman. I enjoyed the simple language the author used for narration. Never once I found the book boring. Excellent read!!
Recommended for those who enjoy Bollywood biographies.
When I bought this book I knew what I would find because the author had already mentioned in the very beginning that he never got a chance to interview Rekha. So this book has all the information about her minus her POV. The author has written the book from a neutral POV. He never exaggerated her at any point in the book. What I enjoyed most in the book was the way he unfolded her layers, one beneath the other, that by the time you end the book you feel totally complete. Complete with the story of your favorite actress and loving her more for what she is, an woman. I enjoyed the simple language the author used for narration. Never once I found the book boring. Excellent read!!
Recommended for those who enjoy Bollywood biographies.
July 13, 2018
Since the book was not written from her own words, I found it somewhat inadequate! Like it didn't do justice to her as well as the readers! The book, "Rajesh Khanna: The Untold Story of India’s First Superstar" (which is also not a biography and written by the same author of this book), had so much depth in it and had so much to tell us about Rajesh, whereas here all that is missing! The details are not enough to know about such a personality who has faced so many since her birth! An autobiography of her would be more wonderful, since her life-story is so heart-wrenching that we can learn a lot from her as a person!
August 22, 2017
I would like to give this book a 3.5 but unfortunately Goodreads doesn't allow that so I'm settling for 3. what does not make it a 4 star or a 5 star book is the fact that the author couldn't get Rekha s point of view or any of her close family members or friends. having said that, he did bring our her life in a neutral manner and I know more of the enigmatic Rekha than I knew before. recommended for Bollywood fans
April 1, 2018
Rekha’s is a fascinating story that deserves to be memorialized. This book does a service, in that sense. Well-researched and written, the book is a concise compilation of a number of interviews of Rekha and articles written about her by others with interesting insights by the author himself. Having said that, though, I would’ve liked there to be more original research. It’s a quick and catchy read that tries to unravel the enigma of Rekha without discussing her scandalous/controversial persona in a juicy style. I recommend reading this if you’re a Hindi cinema fan!
August 11, 2021
A nice little book that collects all the details from old interviews and media articles about Rekha and weaves a genuine picture of her life. It was well worth the time to learn about the diva of yesteryears.
January 13, 2019
نامی کوئی بغیر مشقت نہیں ہوا ،
سو بار جب عقیق کٹا تب نگین ہوا۔
I have never read about Rekha or explore her on internet. She is Bollywood diva and the same for me as for today's generation. Respectable and beauty with glamour.
But when i started to read her biography it has changed my way of thinking about her and immense respect from the core of heart emergr for this lady.
I don't want to write here what was in book and what i have read because I'm not telling anyone the summary actually i want everyone read this book and learn its not one day struggle to get fame and being respectable..
Yasser Usman wrote this beautiful book in more beautiful manner. He described her all pains from day one and the way how she fought with this pain and the poor circumstances of her life. She was not poor due to money but in relations.
Her father recognised her too late when she is diva but her mother, the one and only space of her life was not alive.
Rekha the name of purity, she is a pure women with emotions and depth in her eyes always show her emptiness as well as tell she never get as pure feeling from other as she have for.
Rekha was notorious in Bollywood due to her black color, fat body and her boldness as well due to frequent change in relationship with different stars came to known as sex kitten. Instead of going down she this as her wall and bring up her self.
She have many affairs in her life and always rejected by the particularl person or his mother. But she always remain pure and never leave relations from her heart and greet people in other public gather warmly.
She accept this reality that Amitabh has changed her life and transform her in every aspect. But both denied their relationship publicly.
Jaya Bachan never like Rekha and ask Amitabh to not make any debut with Rekha.
Every director who have worked with Rekha appraise her in every field of her acting or dubbing. Some times when film was making on low budgets she gave her own dress or jewellery for the song or scenes.
She in Umrao Jan Ada played a fabulous acting which is unbeatable right now and she learnt pure urdu for playing the role. The opposite lead of movie gave all credit to Rekha for hitting up this film.
After the six month relationship her husband do suicide and everyone was blaming Rekha for it and at that time Nagin movie was upcoming and she came to known as vamp in real life but her come back washed every blame over her. He was actually a patient of depression and in relationship with her own psychiatrist Akash Bajaj who was widow with children.
People acclaimed her secretary Farzan who is long ago companion with Rekha is the main person of her dos or not to do. She always listen her suggestion over each thing as well as blamed for bisexual relationship and she never walk in industry without her.
The chapter in book love triangle is my favourite one there's a film Silsala is discussing in which three famous stars of that time in Bollywood was working and they have same story in real life as in reel reel life with the same fate and end.
If you learn something read biography or autobiography of famous people it will lit you and show how they have struggled in their lives to reach at this point where 95% of people are following or loving them. There are always 5% against you if they don't exist you are not a legend.
گرتے ہیں شہہ سوار ہی میدان جنگ میں
وہ طفل کیا گرے جو گٹھنوں کے بل چلے
سو بار جب عقیق کٹا تب نگین ہوا۔
I have never read about Rekha or explore her on internet. She is Bollywood diva and the same for me as for today's generation. Respectable and beauty with glamour.
But when i started to read her biography it has changed my way of thinking about her and immense respect from the core of heart emergr for this lady.
I don't want to write here what was in book and what i have read because I'm not telling anyone the summary actually i want everyone read this book and learn its not one day struggle to get fame and being respectable..
Yasser Usman wrote this beautiful book in more beautiful manner. He described her all pains from day one and the way how she fought with this pain and the poor circumstances of her life. She was not poor due to money but in relations.
Her father recognised her too late when she is diva but her mother, the one and only space of her life was not alive.
Rekha the name of purity, she is a pure women with emotions and depth in her eyes always show her emptiness as well as tell she never get as pure feeling from other as she have for.
Rekha was notorious in Bollywood due to her black color, fat body and her boldness as well due to frequent change in relationship with different stars came to known as sex kitten. Instead of going down she this as her wall and bring up her self.
She have many affairs in her life and always rejected by the particularl person or his mother. But she always remain pure and never leave relations from her heart and greet people in other public gather warmly.
She accept this reality that Amitabh has changed her life and transform her in every aspect. But both denied their relationship publicly.
Jaya Bachan never like Rekha and ask Amitabh to not make any debut with Rekha.
Every director who have worked with Rekha appraise her in every field of her acting or dubbing. Some times when film was making on low budgets she gave her own dress or jewellery for the song or scenes.
She in Umrao Jan Ada played a fabulous acting which is unbeatable right now and she learnt pure urdu for playing the role. The opposite lead of movie gave all credit to Rekha for hitting up this film.
After the six month relationship her husband do suicide and everyone was blaming Rekha for it and at that time Nagin movie was upcoming and she came to known as vamp in real life but her come back washed every blame over her. He was actually a patient of depression and in relationship with her own psychiatrist Akash Bajaj who was widow with children.
People acclaimed her secretary Farzan who is long ago companion with Rekha is the main person of her dos or not to do. She always listen her suggestion over each thing as well as blamed for bisexual relationship and she never walk in industry without her.
The chapter in book love triangle is my favourite one there's a film Silsala is discussing in which three famous stars of that time in Bollywood was working and they have same story in real life as in reel reel life with the same fate and end.
If you learn something read biography or autobiography of famous people it will lit you and show how they have struggled in their lives to reach at this point where 95% of people are following or loving them. There are always 5% against you if they don't exist you are not a legend.
گرتے ہیں شہہ سوار ہی میدان جنگ میں
وہ طفل کیا گرے جو گٹھنوں کے بل چلے
October 26, 2016
After exploring the whole book, I could say Yasser Usman weaved a sensible explorations and brought them under a single roof. Although after reading Nasreen Munni Kabir. Somehow you expect more from Author, more research, some detailed interviews. On the other note, I think Rekha's life is like a open book from the beginning of her career. She never carry a personae who hide their emotional bondage and thoughts regarding to respective rumors.
Although mostly readers want to know more about her work, film shooting memories, about her mental state when she facing the ups and down into personal as well as professional life. it seemed this book is some kind of essay which ended within a blink, still want to mention it is so engaging. unputdownable. Must Read, I assure you would start love the Rekha more for what she is in real life.
Although mostly readers want to know more about her work, film shooting memories, about her mental state when she facing the ups and down into personal as well as professional life. it seemed this book is some kind of essay which ended within a blink, still want to mention it is so engaging. unputdownable. Must Read, I assure you would start love the Rekha more for what she is in real life.
September 13, 2016
From delivery by amazon to completion within 5 hours. That's how intrigued I was to know about the enigma called Rekha. A lot has been written and a lot will be written about her and this book will just form a part of all those rumours and nothing more. Its detailed but biased and factual but shallow. Also, 80% of the content is on her affairs of which 50% is on Amitabh. Gets repetitive after a while. And unreal. Give it a pass should you want to or maybe find a better book.
October 15, 2016
While Rekha herself couldn't be interviewed for this book, quotes from her numerous interviews are enough fodder for the reader. The book is actually the Rekha story re-told but all the material at one place together helps the reader make more sense of the actress who went through numerous ups and downs and whose resplendent presence still make the cameras zoom in.
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September 25, 2021Author Yasser Usman attempts to tell the story of Rekha and it remains untold.
For all diehard Rekha fans the book is an absolute let down. For the author has sourced his writing from the Cine Blitz, Stardust and Filmfare. Beyond these magazines the author not bothered to research wider magazines like Star and Style or Illustrated weekly. He runs the same hash story of Rekha’s half sister being asked why the two sisters come in different cars. The only difference being the name of the sister. This incident was often quoted as having occurred between Kamala Selvan Rekha’s half sister who is a gynaecologist and Rekha.
The focus of the book is very masculine, Hindi filmdom. The book focuses on the sleaze and unconventionality of Rekha. Her transformation after being inspired by Amitabh Bacchan and his refusal to accept her. She is made out to have emerged from infant terrible stage to that of the ‘jogan’ or humble human yearning for a star beyond her. But the truth if you notice it, Amitabh needed that so called romance with Rekha for a staid married man to a rather plain Jane wife was not a good marketing strategy. While Rekha has an aura about her.
The book carries forward the image of a waif seeking respectability, legitimacy but my personal interaction with Rekha while she was shooting for Utsav was of a person who had respect for her father for his biologic contribution and his professional standing and did not really care much for the man who could not honour his commitments. She was pretty clear that she would not marry unless she found a person who could honour commitments.
There is a blurb on Tej Sapru but no mention of him through the book. There were people who could have given inputs on the persona that Rekha is, be it Kiran Kumar, Mrs.Girish Karnad, Rekha’s co-stars but no sir, our author is loyal to his sources of the three movie magazines. There are her colleagues Shatruji, Jeetuji, Hemamalini so many others who are her contemporaries, or younger stars like Raveena Tandon and Sharman Joshi.
The images used again right out of the magazine collection, all of them previously published.
Someday perhaps we will actually read a book on Rekha, which would probably act as a guide to many individuals who are working on themselves to transform their physical, mental and spiritual space. Right from a person who has gone through the journey. Dealing with the nastiness, body shaming, character assassination, she has emerged holding her own.
Over all a very flat and disappointing book.
For all diehard Rekha fans the book is an absolute let down. For the author has sourced his writing from the Cine Blitz, Stardust and Filmfare. Beyond these magazines the author not bothered to research wider magazines like Star and Style or Illustrated weekly. He runs the same hash story of Rekha’s half sister being asked why the two sisters come in different cars. The only difference being the name of the sister. This incident was often quoted as having occurred between Kamala Selvan Rekha’s half sister who is a gynaecologist and Rekha.
The focus of the book is very masculine, Hindi filmdom. The book focuses on the sleaze and unconventionality of Rekha. Her transformation after being inspired by Amitabh Bacchan and his refusal to accept her. She is made out to have emerged from infant terrible stage to that of the ‘jogan’ or humble human yearning for a star beyond her. But the truth if you notice it, Amitabh needed that so called romance with Rekha for a staid married man to a rather plain Jane wife was not a good marketing strategy. While Rekha has an aura about her.
The book carries forward the image of a waif seeking respectability, legitimacy but my personal interaction with Rekha while she was shooting for Utsav was of a person who had respect for her father for his biologic contribution and his professional standing and did not really care much for the man who could not honour his commitments. She was pretty clear that she would not marry unless she found a person who could honour commitments.
There is a blurb on Tej Sapru but no mention of him through the book. There were people who could have given inputs on the persona that Rekha is, be it Kiran Kumar, Mrs.Girish Karnad, Rekha’s co-stars but no sir, our author is loyal to his sources of the three movie magazines. There are her colleagues Shatruji, Jeetuji, Hemamalini so many others who are her contemporaries, or younger stars like Raveena Tandon and Sharman Joshi.
The images used again right out of the magazine collection, all of them previously published.
Someday perhaps we will actually read a book on Rekha, which would probably act as a guide to many individuals who are working on themselves to transform their physical, mental and spiritual space. Right from a person who has gone through the journey. Dealing with the nastiness, body shaming, character assassination, she has emerged holding her own.
Over all a very flat and disappointing book.
July 25, 2023
Rekha, considered to be one of Bollywood's earliest divas, has a mysterious aura around her, which prompts you to know more about her. This curiosity is what made me pick up, Yaseer Usman’s 'Rekha - The Untold Story'. The book talks of her early years with her mother in Chennai, her entry in Bollywood and how her carefree, brash nature got her the symbol of a 'sex kitten'. There are also mentions of her alleged relationships, sensational headlines and her provocative media interviews. However, just like the media gossip, there's no way to ascertain if any of this has any truth to it, as Rekha refused to speak to the writer about her version. The book adds nothing new to the public domain. All that's mentioned in the book is already known to the public through her interviews, media bytes etc.
While the writer has reached out to a few film personalities for their insights into Rekha the actor, there's nothing much about Rekha the person. Unfortunately, just like Rekha’s love life trumped her career, the same holds true for this book. Most of the book's attention is towards Rekha's alleged relationship with Amitabh Bachchan. I wish, the book could have dealt with experiences that were more personal and critical to her life like - how she (and if she) has gotten over the suicide of her husband, how did she deal with never getting acknowledged by her father, her experiences with body shaming, racist attitude when she ventured into films, her bond with her family. (Only her mother and secretary are mentioned in detail. Her sister is mentioned in a passing reference). Much of the book is centered around the triangle of Rekha-Big B-Jaya. I wish, the author could actually speak to Rekha and bring to light her voice and her story.
While the writer has reached out to a few film personalities for their insights into Rekha the actor, there's nothing much about Rekha the person. Unfortunately, just like Rekha’s love life trumped her career, the same holds true for this book. Most of the book's attention is towards Rekha's alleged relationship with Amitabh Bachchan. I wish, the book could have dealt with experiences that were more personal and critical to her life like - how she (and if she) has gotten over the suicide of her husband, how did she deal with never getting acknowledged by her father, her experiences with body shaming, racist attitude when she ventured into films, her bond with her family. (Only her mother and secretary are mentioned in detail. Her sister is mentioned in a passing reference). Much of the book is centered around the triangle of Rekha-Big B-Jaya. I wish, the author could actually speak to Rekha and bring to light her voice and her story.
December 21, 2017
Started reading 'Rekha- the untold story' by Yasser Usman on Juggernaut Books. Just read about her marriage to Mukesh Agarwal, a businessman who was besotted with her but who was previously involved with someone else and hid it from her. He was also on medication and depressed. He ended up committing suicide and she was blamed for it, being called a black widow and worse by some of her contemporaries.
The next chapter talks about her childhood when her mom was 'the other woman' of two men, one of them being Rekha's biological father, Gemini Ganesh.
Rekha seems to have rubbed all her boyfriends' mothers' the wrong way with her unconventional ways and with her illegitimate roots over which she, of course, had no control.
It's quite a depressing story actually because when you see her go against society and not get accepted by society in India you just wonder if she should have been living in a country abroad where she might have found happiness. All she seems to have faced here is double standards and criticism.
She has apparently played a courtesan in over 30 films! So methinks her entire allusion to Amitabh Bacchan as the important 'him' in her life and her earlier insinuations of an affair with him were self- serving to her carefully built image, cemented by 'Silsila'. Affair or not, she has learnt to finally deny it to the press now and move on beyond her doomed marriage to Mukesh the businessman, for whose suicide she was blamed. Now she is the quintessential diva and more reams of newsprint should be devoted to how she has financially supported her rather large family of sisters with not much help from anyone else. Interesting biography.
The next chapter talks about her childhood when her mom was 'the other woman' of two men, one of them being Rekha's biological father, Gemini Ganesh.
Rekha seems to have rubbed all her boyfriends' mothers' the wrong way with her unconventional ways and with her illegitimate roots over which she, of course, had no control.
It's quite a depressing story actually because when you see her go against society and not get accepted by society in India you just wonder if she should have been living in a country abroad where she might have found happiness. All she seems to have faced here is double standards and criticism.
She has apparently played a courtesan in over 30 films! So methinks her entire allusion to Amitabh Bacchan as the important 'him' in her life and her earlier insinuations of an affair with him were self- serving to her carefully built image, cemented by 'Silsila'. Affair or not, she has learnt to finally deny it to the press now and move on beyond her doomed marriage to Mukesh the businessman, for whose suicide she was blamed. Now she is the quintessential diva and more reams of newsprint should be devoted to how she has financially supported her rather large family of sisters with not much help from anyone else. Interesting biography.
October 15, 2020
So after reading Sanjay dutt's biography by Yasser Usman, I was craving for more of its kind of biography and got stumbled upon Rekha. Though the fact that I haven't seen like 99% of her movies didn't stop me from purchasing one, as it was obvious that her life won't be an uninteresting tale.
Well reinforcing my intuition Rekha was a great read right from the beginning to end,infact, I guess I liked it more than dutt's as rekha's was a tale of hard survival. For someone who was born as an illegitimate daughter of a super star and had faced nothing but hardships, she herself reached to the level of a superstar in a predominantly male dominated industry through sheer hardwork , which is an outstanding and difficult feat even today. Yasser tells her story through the reminiscence of her acquaintances, where readers get to know Rekha as an individual from the perspective of each person who has something to share about Rekha. The truth about being called as a vamp, her initial days of struggle as a starlet where she had to cope up with body shaming, racist remarks, her multitude of failed relationships, personal tragedies, her metamorphosis to rekha as seen today are all covered by the author in just around 200 pages. Personally it was really a good read and completely worth my time.
Well reinforcing my intuition Rekha was a great read right from the beginning to end,infact, I guess I liked it more than dutt's as rekha's was a tale of hard survival. For someone who was born as an illegitimate daughter of a super star and had faced nothing but hardships, she herself reached to the level of a superstar in a predominantly male dominated industry through sheer hardwork , which is an outstanding and difficult feat even today. Yasser tells her story through the reminiscence of her acquaintances, where readers get to know Rekha as an individual from the perspective of each person who has something to share about Rekha. The truth about being called as a vamp, her initial days of struggle as a starlet where she had to cope up with body shaming, racist remarks, her multitude of failed relationships, personal tragedies, her metamorphosis to rekha as seen today are all covered by the author in just around 200 pages. Personally it was really a good read and completely worth my time.
July 13, 2021
Rekha the untold story
Yasser Usman is one of my favourite authors how he narrates untold stories I question anyone can. Yes maybe I am a little bias but after reading two books by him (on Sanjay Dutt and Guru Dutt) this is my third one and as the reader and I am allowed that liberty. The untold story of Rekha has statements and quotes from wide range of interviews that she has given in her span of career furthermore that individuals who have firmly been related with her additionally have been met in this book.
As usual, the author has done strong research and narrated all of it to us in a simple manner. It’s as if he’s having a little chitter-chatter and tellings all about the diva. The book is a day read I began perusing it on a Sunday morning and finished it by night. It’s that elegantly composed and high speed. Her glamour and diva image had always mesmerised me she has Beena trendsetter and a trailblazer for two decades but her story is something that taught me that where there is persistence there is no resistance. She is A true fighter, warrior and survivor. After her ever devastating situations she is reborn and rose like a Pheonix from the ashes. I would like to end my review with a quote by Muzaffar Ali “ Life shakes up people and if they have an artist within them then s(he) gets more polished in the process Rekha is a living example of this.”
Yasser Usman is one of my favourite authors how he narrates untold stories I question anyone can. Yes maybe I am a little bias but after reading two books by him (on Sanjay Dutt and Guru Dutt) this is my third one and as the reader and I am allowed that liberty. The untold story of Rekha has statements and quotes from wide range of interviews that she has given in her span of career furthermore that individuals who have firmly been related with her additionally have been met in this book.
As usual, the author has done strong research and narrated all of it to us in a simple manner. It’s as if he’s having a little chitter-chatter and tellings all about the diva. The book is a day read I began perusing it on a Sunday morning and finished it by night. It’s that elegantly composed and high speed. Her glamour and diva image had always mesmerised me she has Beena trendsetter and a trailblazer for two decades but her story is something that taught me that where there is persistence there is no resistance. She is A true fighter, warrior and survivor. After her ever devastating situations she is reborn and rose like a Pheonix from the ashes. I would like to end my review with a quote by Muzaffar Ali “ Life shakes up people and if they have an artist within them then s(he) gets more polished in the process Rekha is a living example of this.”
January 8, 2019
I am big movie buff and it began with my love for Bollywood commercial and parallel cinema both. There was time when "Salam e Ishq" and "Inn Ankhon ki Masti" were imprinted on my memory because.....REKHA!
This book is not an official biography of Rekha, neither approved or read by her prior to it's publishing. Author tried his best to get her endorsement but all attempts were futile.
If you happen to watch enough of old Bollywood and follow bit of its news, then you know Rekha was always centre of attention through scandals or her life long attachment with Amitabh Bachhan. The best part about this book is that it is extremely well researched from Rekha friends and foes both.
'Justuju jis ki thee usko tau na paaya hum ne
Iss bahane say magar dekh li dunya hum ne'
Yasser has not taken a neutral or an extreme path in portraying Rekha's life. He has told it as it is!
Rekha was biggest threat and challenge to the patriarchal pattern of Bollywood, hence was always under fire. Rekha did not only went through chauvinism but was also attacked by her fellow misogynistic female colleagues.
This book touches upon her non conventional past, transforming film era, and above all how she became what she is.
I finished this book in 3 nights :)
9/10
This book is not an official biography of Rekha, neither approved or read by her prior to it's publishing. Author tried his best to get her endorsement but all attempts were futile.
If you happen to watch enough of old Bollywood and follow bit of its news, then you know Rekha was always centre of attention through scandals or her life long attachment with Amitabh Bachhan. The best part about this book is that it is extremely well researched from Rekha friends and foes both.
'Justuju jis ki thee usko tau na paaya hum ne
Iss bahane say magar dekh li dunya hum ne'
Yasser has not taken a neutral or an extreme path in portraying Rekha's life. He has told it as it is!
Rekha was biggest threat and challenge to the patriarchal pattern of Bollywood, hence was always under fire. Rekha did not only went through chauvinism but was also attacked by her fellow misogynistic female colleagues.
This book touches upon her non conventional past, transforming film era, and above all how she became what she is.
I finished this book in 3 nights :)
9/10
August 8, 2018
If You Grew Up In The 70’s Like I Did Or Happened To Read #MohanDeep Bestseller Trilingual Unauthorised Biography ‘Eurekha’ in English Then You Not Going To Find Anything New Or Something That You Not Heard About Before.
While His First Biography On RAJESH KHANNA Was Begun After The Superstars Death Most Of It Was A Compilation Of Heresay From Third Hand Souces Because The Star Was Not Around To Give Soundbytes Or Explain Himself But Incase Of REKHA No Visible Attempt Was Made To Approach The Recluse REKHA For Any Inputs Leave Alone Clarifications..
Thus This Biography Too Like The Previous One Gets Divided In The Middle..Those Who Have A Good Word To Say Praise REKHA To The Sky And Those Who Have An Axe To Grind Paint Her With A Black Brush Smearing Her Reputation... Maybe, Just Maybe A Sound Byte From The Lady Herself Would Have Taken This Book To The Next Level...But That Is Wishful Thinking!!!
While His First Biography On RAJESH KHANNA Was Begun After The Superstars Death Most Of It Was A Compilation Of Heresay From Third Hand Souces Because The Star Was Not Around To Give Soundbytes Or Explain Himself But Incase Of REKHA No Visible Attempt Was Made To Approach The Recluse REKHA For Any Inputs Leave Alone Clarifications..
Thus This Biography Too Like The Previous One Gets Divided In The Middle..Those Who Have A Good Word To Say Praise REKHA To The Sky And Those Who Have An Axe To Grind Paint Her With A Black Brush Smearing Her Reputation... Maybe, Just Maybe A Sound Byte From The Lady Herself Would Have Taken This Book To The Next Level...But That Is Wishful Thinking!!!
July 23, 2020
Juicy and Interesting. Or perhaps, juicy, that's why interesting!
But I wonder if that's all that there is to a person's life? Is Rekha's life only about Amitabh Bachchan? I doubt that, and I would very much believe that its more about herself than about anyone else. I loved how she made Amitabh and Jaya's life an uncomfortable one. And just that's why I fell in love with her. And I don't have any pity for Jaya too.
Amitabh sure had discipline and resolve, but he didn't, and still doesn't have the guts. But maybe that's best for all.
The author had an amazing opportunity to pen down something really awesome about a legend, but he could not do the justice. Rekha isn't just anyone, her biography deserves some more respect and depth. The author tried to cover all events of her life, but he failed to capture the very soul of the actuality. I felt that more could have been written, and that there was no need of writing and ending the book in a haste.
But I wonder if that's all that there is to a person's life? Is Rekha's life only about Amitabh Bachchan? I doubt that, and I would very much believe that its more about herself than about anyone else. I loved how she made Amitabh and Jaya's life an uncomfortable one. And just that's why I fell in love with her. And I don't have any pity for Jaya too.
Amitabh sure had discipline and resolve, but he didn't, and still doesn't have the guts. But maybe that's best for all.
The author had an amazing opportunity to pen down something really awesome about a legend, but he could not do the justice. Rekha isn't just anyone, her biography deserves some more respect and depth. The author tried to cover all events of her life, but he failed to capture the very soul of the actuality. I felt that more could have been written, and that there was no need of writing and ending the book in a haste.
January 27, 2023
It seems after a long time I have taken this book inside me. More books have been written on Rekha's life and it will not be difficult to read Rekha in the biographies of many different people. It becomes easy to understand that 'loneliness' will be such a great support for someone after reading this. Every character and every incident in Rekha's life can be understood because this book has covered a lot. I found Bhanurekha's mother Pushpavali to be a strong and fighting woman in her time, whom I would like to read a little more apart from this book.
I got to know about Pushpavali through this book, but it seems that I have to find a lot more to understand it. But salute to the strongest pillar of Rekha's life.
If you want to know Rekha closely and understand the myth of the media, then this book is excellent, because in our childhood we have come to know a lot about Rekha's relationships through electronic media and print media, but this is a good book to understand her. .
I got to know about Pushpavali through this book, but it seems that I have to find a lot more to understand it. But salute to the strongest pillar of Rekha's life.
If you want to know Rekha closely and understand the myth of the media, then this book is excellent, because in our childhood we have come to know a lot about Rekha's relationships through electronic media and print media, but this is a good book to understand her. .
October 12, 2017
Completed reading this book exactly on Madame Re's birthday this year. Had started with loads of hope to know about the great lady .. from her own self. Alas, the book can't even be called as a biography as it is just a collection of excerpts about the lady mentioned in media articles. There are some very good anecdotes and some personal accounts from people like Gulzar and Prakash Mehra etc. But by and large Yaseer Usman has heavily relied on magazine articles and loads of hearsay that goes around in Film fraternity. Who knows, possibly that's the truth ?? The book however gave me huge strength and moral support as to how to learn understand and come out uncouth of the various adversities that life offers to everyone . Rekha ji, you are a born fighter and a winner at that.
However, I shall still await for an autobiography from your end.
However, I shall still await for an autobiography from your end.
October 9, 2019
This is the second book of Yaseer Usman that I read. The first one was about Sanjay Dutt.
What I love about Yaseer's writing is that it is always so graceful and respectful to his subject. The views are always balanced and the facts well-researched.
It was an interesting biography of Bollywood diva Rekha, someone whom I was not really fond of. But now reading this story of her life, there is a deep appreciation of the resolve she showed through all her trials and tribulations of life. I wish she would share her perspective someday and share her life lessons, though looks doubtful.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in reading this story about a woman who lives life at her own terms in a male dominated industry.
What I love about Yaseer's writing is that it is always so graceful and respectful to his subject. The views are always balanced and the facts well-researched.
It was an interesting biography of Bollywood diva Rekha, someone whom I was not really fond of. But now reading this story of her life, there is a deep appreciation of the resolve she showed through all her trials and tribulations of life. I wish she would share her perspective someday and share her life lessons, though looks doubtful.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in reading this story about a woman who lives life at her own terms in a male dominated industry.
February 21, 2022
I picked this book thinking that it must have been written after at least talking to and interviewing Rekha. But it came as a disappointment to me that it was written by assuming things and based only on the actress’ interviews and statements made then. No permission was taken, nothing that is written here is from the heroine’s point of view. For me it all boils down to a writers assumptions and a collection of interviews and media clippings. And above all a major part if this goes to a said ‘Him’ as if a biography is all about the other of you.
I adore Rekha, as a human, as an actress, as a mesmerising dancer and would have loved to read something that she had to say. But this fell short.
I adore Rekha, as a human, as an actress, as a mesmerising dancer and would have loved to read something that she had to say. But this fell short.
March 17, 2025
I gave it 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 because it’s just impossible to rate something about thee Rekha anything less, but honestly speaking: the book doesn’t quite fulfill the deep desires of us staving and thirsting super fans of our ageless, peerless, ultra goddess diva ji. However, being as elusive as she is, it would be hard for any unofficial biographer to penetrate her closely guarded anecdotes (/secrets) and such. Well, there are a bunch of things I learned about her life from this book, mostly in reference to her early life and career. The biggest takeaway sadly is that the book relies HEAVILY on that iconic 2004 interview with Simi Garewal — which certainly feels unluxurious (didn’t wanna use the word cheap) okbye 😎
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December 20, 2020Although Usman wasn't able to actually interview Rekha, his sources are media articles over a space of many years help explain this enigmatic actress. She seems very independent and deserving of all her success and she has survived much negativity and a harsh growing up that would have scarred a less resilient soul. She is a Hindi actor readers can root for as many of her performances are brilliant and nicely compliment the work of the other actors around her. This is a relatively short book but is an takes a good look at one of the most interesting actors of her time. And she is an inspiration to all who are outsiders and aspire to do the best work in work or endeavor.
June 5, 2025
I was intrigued to know about Rekha after I watched her interview with Simi Garewal, I searched and searched and there weren’t many interviews, then I found this book and read. (i was intrigued about Rekha and Farzana)
This book was indeed a good documentation of the life Rekha led, but more in a gossipy and scandalous way.
Things I loved plus learned about:
1. I listened and loved the song Salaam e ishq meri jaan
2. I added Umrao Jaan and Ijaazat to my watchlist.
3. I was astonished learning about the 'courtesan culture', then I quite researched about it, mind blowing.
4. I loved everything about Rekha and Amitabh
This book was indeed a good documentation of the life Rekha led, but more in a gossipy and scandalous way.
Things I loved plus learned about:
1. I listened and loved the song Salaam e ishq meri jaan
2. I added Umrao Jaan and Ijaazat to my watchlist.
3. I was astonished learning about the 'courtesan culture', then I quite researched about it, mind blowing.
4. I loved everything about Rekha and Amitabh
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