Moushumi Chatterjee makes SHOCKING claims about Rekha, says, 'She used to make faces, tried to replace me in...'

India.com

25-05-2025

Moushumi Chatterjee makes SHOCKING claims about Rekha, says, 'She used to make faces, tried to replace me in...'
Veteran Bollywood actress Moushumi Chatterjee, was one of the top and highest-paid stars in the 1970s. Recently, in an interview, she opened up about her not-so-cordial relationship with iconic star Rekha. She talked about the silent rivalry and emotional disconnect during their time on the sets. The two have collaborated in multiple films such as Dildar, Prem Bandhan, Mang Bharo Sajjan, and Dassi.
Speaking to Filmfare, Moushumi recalled how Rekha used to think that she controlled Vinod Mehra's life. Claiming that she was jealous and insecure, the actress said, 'Rekha used to think I'm controlling Vinod Mehra's life. Because she is sitting in his house, and (Vinod's) mother used to tell me, 'Indu, Vinod ki cupboard mein se envelope nikal do' (Indu, bring the envelope from Vinod's cupboard). So naturally, she used to not like it and I used tell his mother why do you ask me, she is sitting there, you go and take it and then she used to say I don't care. I was the victim. Somehow she used to feel Vinod used to listen to me more than anybody else.'
Moushumi further said that Rekha's attitude towards her wasn't always friendly. She revealed confronting her and recalled how the actress got nervous, 'She used to make faces while seeing me, as if she doesn't care. And once, I approached her and asked, 'How did you do that? Do it again, in front of me?' She got nervous. I don't know if she remembers this.' Moushumi said.
Moushumi also recalled a strange incident from the sets of Prem Bandhan , when director Ramanand Sagar asked her to remove her heels for a scene to match height with her. He said, 'Woh height ka thoda… woh Rekha barefoot hai' (It's a bit about the height… Rekha is barefoot). I told him, 'I'm a padhi-likhi rich woman. I'm born and brought up that way. Why are you asking me to take off my shoes? You manage, ask her to take a stool.'
She revealed that Rekha was evidently frustrated with constantly being cast in secondary roles, so, she tried to replace her. Moushumi shared, 'She got fed up playing the second woman. She insisted to Raj Khosla, 'Give me the role of Dassi, I should be Sanjeev Kumar's wife. Let her do this one.' I remember all his assistants, Sagar and others, they were laughing. He was a little high when she made that request, so he just said, 'Mereko poora story change karna padega' (I'll have to change the entire story). Which angle does Moushumi looks Tara bai?.'
Meanwhile, on the work front, Moushumi Chatterjee was recently seen in the Bengali film Aarii. Directed by Jiit Chakraborty, the action drama also starred Yash Dasgupta and Nusrat Jahan in pivotal roles.