The trio of iconic Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha and Jaya Bachchan defined an era in Bollywood. The gossip mill has been silent over them for years, but old stories related to them continue to make headlines decades later. It was one of the most-talked-about incidents in the industry where Amitabh Bachchan, who was already married to Jaya, was rumoured to be dating his co-star, Rekha. While there was no confirmation from either of them, Big B’s decision not to work again with Rekha raised everyone’s curiosity. However, years later, when Jaya Bachchan shared the cause behind the end of this sensational on-screen couple, everyone was left stunned.
Jaya Bachchan felt Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha’s on-screen pairing would create ‘sensation’
Jaya Bachchan, who usually stays away from the media, once sat down for a rare interview with People Magazine in 2008. Rather than avoiding difficult questions, Jaya decided to face them head-on. During the conversation, she admitted that she wouldn’t have any personal issues if her husband, Amitabh Bachchan, decided to work with Rekha. However, she felt it wouldn’t be worth it for them because it would create a ‘sensation’ taking focus away from their work. In her words:
“Why should I mind? But I feel it will be more like a sensation than actual work. And that’s a pity because one will miss the opportunity to see them together. Both of them probably realise it will go beyond work.”
Jaya’s one line about things going beyond work expressed that she knew all about the speculations going around in public. At the same time, it was a rare incident when Jaya addressed questions about the ever-burning rumours of Rekha and Amitabh’s alleged affair. The Guddi actress didn’t dodge the question and mentioned that he would be with Rekha if there was any truth behind those rumours. Moreover, if she began to care about the outside chatter, it will make her life difficult. She said:
“If there was any, he would have been somewhere else, na? People liked them as a couple on screen, and that’s fine. The media tried linking him with every one of his heroines. My life would have been hell if I had taken it all seriously. We are made of sterner stuff.”
Rekha recalled the moment she was informed that she couldn’t work with Big B
Apart from Jaya, Rekha also sat down to address the incident from different point of view. During an old interview with Stardust, she shared her story on the incident. The diva mentioned that she had shot some romantic scenes with Amitabh for their film, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar. Later, when the film was ready, Jaya came to watch its screening and wept after watching those scenes. A week later, the Umrao Jaan actress was informed by her friends that Big B had decided he wouldn’t work with her again. Consequently, she decided to confront the actor over it. Recalling the incident, she said:
“A week later (after the trial show of Muqaddar Ka Sikandar), everybody in the industry was telling me that he (Amitabh Bachchan) had made it clear to his producers that he was not going to work with me. Everybody else informed me about it, but he didn’t say a word on the subject. When I tried to question him about it, he said, I am not going to say a word. ‘Don’t ask me about it.'”
Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan’s love story
Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, both prominent stars in the industry, worked together in the film, Zanjeer. After the film’s success, the megastar wanted to leave for London. But his father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan didn’t gave permission and stated that he could go only if he tied the knot with Jaya. Consequently, the duo had a quick wedding on June 3, 1973, that has stood the test of time. They are parents to Shweta Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan. Meanwhile, Amitabh and Rekha’s affair rumours began after their film, Do Anjaane in 1976 and they last worked together in Silsila in 1981 with Jaya Bachchan, which many believed was similar to their real-life bond.
What do you think about Jaya Bachchan’s revelations about not letting Amitabh Bachchan work with Rekha?
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