Rekha in and as Jhoothi (1985)

Rekha in and as Jhoothi (1985)
 

Rekha in Jaal (1986)

 Rekha in Jaal (1986)

 Rekha is absolutely stunning in this revenge drama thriller. 

Hey, You're NOT Sridevi: Bhanupriya

 Hey, You're NOT Sridevi: Bhanupriya 

Silsila: Rekha, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan

 Silsila: Rekha, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan

 Adultery never looked this good... 

 or as poetic... 

 Rekha's epic, chiseled, perfected beauty. From the husk in her voice, her faultless wardrobe, her perfect persona on screen... she was beyond fabulous. 

Aishwarya Rai in PS-1: Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022)

 Aishwarya Rai in PS-1: Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022)

 My favourite line from one of the many reviews I read was, Mani Ratnam cleverly weaponised Aishwarya's epic beauty to further the tale. 

Yes. 

Yes he did. 

Ash has near universal praise for her performance after a long spell of rather lacklustre movies and performances... 

Jaya Prada in Sharaabi (1984)

 Jaya Prada in Sharaabi (1984)

The definitive mujra listicle featuring its greatest exponent; Rekha

 

A heady cocktail of dance, poetry, sensuality, Eastern glamour, dazzling jewellery, sparkle, suggestive eroticism, pathos, Rekha brought her vast gifts as an actress and dancer into her mujras. 

The 'prostitute with a heart of gold' trope is not uncommon to Bollywood (or Hollywood!). In Indian screens, it is mostly de-sexualised a lot through the majesty of the poetic lyricism of Pakeeza and Umrao Jaan; the two definitive tentpole tales of the sensuous courtesan.  While Meena Kumari brought an ache, a lonely sense of inevitable tragedy to it, Rekha brought sensuality, extreme (some might say excessive) glamour, glitz to it. A harsh critic might say with each passing year and film, she went from gold threads and zari to polyester and chintz in diminishing returns, in a sliding scale of great to god-awful films.  

There have been years and years where Rekha vacillated from one kotha set to another, one over the top glittering ensemble (often designed by herself - with the aid of a few darzis and designers). If the pinnacle was Umrao Jaan (and to a certain extent Muqaddar ka Sikandar), then the nadir was... well, pick any from the late 1980s. Fortunately, her final mujra song and dance scene was in the critically appreciated Yatra (2006). And for a "full circle moment", the song was sung by Aasha Bhosle, the music was composed by Khayyam - as it was penned 25 years ago in Umrao Jaan (1981).  

And this from a fan of Rekha and her oceanic skills as an actress of note. Just for the buzz-fidication of it, thought I'd work on a (always-in-construction) definitive listicle of Rekha and her mujras on film. 

1. Dildaar, 13 April 1977
2. Kasme Waade, 21 April 1978 (Rekha has a guest appearance in a Mujra song). 
3. Muqaddar ka Sikandar, 27 October 1978
4. Suhaag, 30 October 1979
5. Maang Bharo Sajana, 7 November 1980
6. Umrao Jaan, 2 January 1981
7. Daasi, 26 June 1981
8. Maati Maangey Khoon, April 6, 1984
9. Jaal, 14 February 1986
10. Pyar Ki Jeet, 6 February 1987
11. Kasam Suhaag Ki, 27 January 1989
12. Amiri Garibi, 23 March 1990
13. Nishana, 17 February 1995
14. Yatra, 4 May 2007

The 22 film of Rekha and Jeetendra in Bollywood

The quality of the film may have varied vastly, but Jeetendra was the hardest working man in Bollywood, never taking much time off till he reluctantly retired. Though most noted for his hit films with Sridevi and Jaya Prada, he did a whopping number of films with his most-frequent costar, 'the' Rekha. Rekha was 12 years younger than Jeetendra, but both maintained themselves till... date in fact!

1. Anokhi Ada 
2. Santan 
3. Judaai 
4. Raste Pyar Ke 
5. Deedar-e-Yaar 
6. Geetanjali
7. Ek hi bhool 
8. Jaan hatheli Pe 
9. Sada Suhagan 
10. Souten ki beti  
11. Ek Bechara 
12. Insaf ki devi 
13. Sheshnaag 
14. Jaal 
15. Nishaan 
16. Amiri garibi 
17. Maang bharo sajna 
18. Mera pati sirf mera hai 
19. Dildaar 
20. Apna bana lo 
21. Neeyat Jal mahal 
22. Mehendi rang layegi