Rekha: Star & Style

We are celebrating Rekha this month. The iconic Indian actress and legendary beauty turns 72 on October 10. 

This cover shoot in jeans and a singlet, young, sexy Rekha was rockin' her 20s. 

Here's a throwback cover shoot she did for now-defunct Indian film magazine, Star & Style. 

Soon after winning the National Award for Umrajo Jaan - you can see trolling is not new to Indian film media - even back then people were asking did another actress deserve the award more. 

Well, Rekha, her film, the music, everything about the original Umrao Jaan has indeed stood the test of time. Not only did she and the film deserve the accolades and recognition, it deserved more. 

BTW young Rekha - she was in her early 20s when she won, point blank stated, "I don't know if I deserve to win or not, but now that I've gotten it, main wapas nahin doongi [I'm not going to return the award!]. 

Hell yeah! 

Every day this month, we are dedicated to Rekha's striking magazine covers and cover shoots. 

Aishwarya Rai in a Lux ad

 

The greatest most perfect face in Bollywood history: Aishwarya Rai

 

Farooq Sheikh with Rekha in Umrao Jaan

During the release of the iconic film Umrao Jaan (released on January 2, 1981), Farooq Sheikh was 32 years old (born March 25, 1948) and Rekha was just 26 years old (born October 10, 1954)!!

But, no mistake, Rekha was the bigger star by far - and as holder of the title role, she carried that classic film. 

When bad wigs happen to good actresses

Famed character actress Shashikala in a bad wig, lenses for the cover of the now defunct Star & Style magazine.

Continuing the tradition of bad wigs in Bollywood - as posted earlier here with Madhuri, Urmila and Manisha in bad wigs. 

Meena Kumari in white

 

Rekha and Zeenat Aman

 Rekha and Zeenat Aman - when they crossed paths in the late 1980s - the two stars were polar opposites in style and famously appeared in Ram Balram together in 1980.  At the time of the film's theatrical release on November 28, 1980, Zeenat Aman was 29 years old (born November 19, 1951) and Rekha was 26 years old (born October 10, 1954). 

Aishwarya Rai in and as Umrao Jaan

Though the original Umrao Jaan with Rekha was... infinitely better, there's no denying, Aishwarya Rai was at her peak beauty in Umrao Jaan... 

Which is saying a lot considering how great she looked in Devdas, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Iruvan... etc etc. 

Aishwarya Rai in TIME magazine

 

Rekha: Iconic moments in her colourful life... but in black and white!

 

Rekha with Amitabh Bachchan 

Rekha as a leading lady at age 13! 

Rekha with her sisters and father, famed Gemini Ganesan 

Mekesh and Rekha
The ill-fated marriage from hell...