Jaya Bachchan once broke down seeing Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha's onscreen chemistry in this 1978 blockbuster
In the vibrant and changing landscape of Bollywood during the late 1970s, one on-screen couple stood out—Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha. Their magnetic presence lit up the screen with every shared frame, leaving viewers spellbound and gossip columns buzzing. Their chemistry felt so real, so raw, that fans and media alike began to suspect that their bond extended far beyond the film sets.
But while speculation thrived, Amitabh remained silent—choosing dignity over disclosure. Rekha, however, gradually opened up over the years, offering glimpses into a story that was as tender as it was tragic.
One of the most poignant moments in this chapter came in 1978, during the release of
Muqaddar Ka Sikandar
, a film that became a massive hit. But beyond its commercial success, it reportedly shattered hearts—especially that of Jaya Bachchan, Amitabh's wife. According to Rekha, the private trial screening of the film turned into an emotionally charged event. In an old interview with Stardust magazine, she recalled watching from a projection room as the Bachchan family arrived. 'I saw Jaya sitting in the front row. Amitabh and his parents sat just behind her. During the romantic scenes between Amitabh and me, I could see tears flowing down her face.'
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A week after that intense screening, Rekha claimed she began hearing murmurs that shocked her. She was told that Amitabh had decided not to work with her anymore. 'I was hearing from everyone that he told his producers he wouldn't do any more films with me,' she shared in the same interview. For fans who had grown to love their on-screen partnership, the news was both unexpected and disheartening.
Though Amitabh and Rekha were box-office gold together—starring in blockbusters like Mr. Natwarlal, Khoon Pasina, Do Anjaane, Suhaag, and Ram Balram—their last appearance together came in 1981's Silsila. Ironically, this Yash Chopra film mirrored the whispers surrounding them, portraying a fictional love triangle with eerie echoes of real life.
Despite the widespread belief that there was tension between Rekha and Jaya, Rekha always spoke with respect about her. In a heartfelt 1990s interview with Simi Garewal, Rekha praised Jaya's composure and inner strength. 'Didibhai is exceptionally mature. I've rarely met a woman with such poise and dignity. I deeply admire her,' she said.
When asked directly if she had ever loved Amitabh, Rekha's reply was unflinching: 'Absolutely. That's a silly question. Everyone falls in love with him. Why should I pretend otherwise? Of course I did—and do.'
After Silsila, they never worked together again. It marked the quiet conclusion of not just a cinematic pairing but perhaps Bollywood's most whispered love story. Their journey—composed of shared stares, silent sacrifices, and undeniable emotion—lives on, not just in reels of film, but in the hearts of those who watched, felt, and believed.
Though Silsila underperformed when released, it later achieved cult status—immortalizing a love that never needed confirmation to be real.
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