Latest news with #Rekha
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rekha Bhardwaj: Dilli mein maine sangeet seekha, yahan gaake sunana toh banta hai
Rekha Bhardwaj live in concert "Rekha ji aao!" chanted the crowd at Bharat Mandapam on Sunday as a slight delay built anticipation. Rekha Bhardwaj took the stage, opening with Naina Thag Lenge, her voice drawing the audience in from the first note. Dressed in a brocade skirt and magenta jacket, with alta on her hands, the singer twirled with one arm raised, echoing a dervish's dance. She explained the Sufi gesture: the upward palm receives from existence, the downward one gives back – a way to seek blessings for all. She added, 'Jab aas paas itni ashanti ho, aur hum ek khoobsurat shaam guzaar paye, it's a great blessing.' The singer twirled with one arm raised, echoing a dervish's dance Her love for Delhi came through in every interaction. 'Dilli dil walon ki hai, main bhi Dilli se hoon,' she said, even swapping 'Raipur' for 'Dilli' in Genda Phool. Midway through her set, the singer added, 'Dilli mein maine achcha sangeet suna, seekha toh yahan pe gaake sunana toh banta hai. It's the only way to know where I stand and how much I need to work on my craft still.' The evening continued with her renditions of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's ghazals like Humne Dekha Tha Ek Khwab, and Vishal Bhardwaj's composition Dhundh. However, the highlight of the concert was her iconic Namak Ishq Ka, which she called, 'jo safar main kaat ke aayi, jis nagme ki wajah se,' crediting the Omkara song for shaping her journey. Rekha was dressed in a brocade skirt and magenta jacket, with alta on her hands Her voice drew the audience in from the first note
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
(Exclusive) Rekha Bhardwaj: Let's not call an item song a ghazal
Rekha Bhardwaj highlights the shift in focus towards instant success among youngsters, impacting the creation and use of ghazals in films. She notes the pressure to create viral hits often leads to the superficial inclusion of ghazals, sometimes mislabeled as item songs. Youngsters want instant success,' shares Rekha Bhardwaj , emphasising how even if a film includes a ghazal today, it's often just to create an instant hit. At the recently concluded ghazal festival Khazana in the city, the singer spoke about the power of live performances, how ghazals have evolved and why they must be treated with reverence. Excerpts: 'Youngsters want instant gratification and success, toh focus change hota hai' Rekha, who has lent her voice to songs like Phir Le Aaya Dil, Kabira and Genda Phool, among others, points out how the pursuit of virality creates pressure. She elaborates, 'Youngsters want instant gratification, instant success and instant appreciation... toh focus change hota hai. Even if they include ghazals in a film, they will only do so to ensure it becomes a hit. Ek ajeeb sa pressure hai ki gaana hit hona chahiye. Phir toh mushkil hai. There are filmmakers who have used a certain Sufi ghazal in their film, but it's actually an item song. Why don't they call it what it is? If you are making an actress do belly dance on a ghazal, then you should call it an item song.' While she dislikes the idea of using the term 'ghazal' loosely, she doesn't entirely condemn item songs. She explains, 'It's not wrong to have an item song because it's part of our culture — nautanki, kothe pe gaana bajana, it's all part of our culture. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mini House for 60 sqm for Seniors with Toilet and Bath (Price May Surprise You) Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo Let's take pride in that. There's nothing wrong with having such songs if the situation calls for it in the film.' 'Ghazal is a facet of love, romance and longing' Rekha feels that what sets ghazals apart is their emotional core. 'Ghazal ek poetry hai jise hum melody ke through express kartein hain. It's a facet of love, romance, longing and shringaar ras. Ghazals are eternal. The best thing is that youngsters are taking up this form, more in the interiors than the metros. But this genre needs more exposure.' 'Aaj ke ghazalon ka, qawaaliyon ka, rang badal raha hai ' The singer believes that there has been a generational shift in creative focus in movies and music. She says, 'Yes, there aren't many ghazals in film albums, but there are composers like Pritam, Vishal (Bhardwaj), who do include ghazals in their films. The only thing is that aaj kal ghazalon ka, qawaaliyon ka, rang badal raha hai, and ab aesthetics ke hisab se hota hai.' She adds, 'Youngsters apne exposure ke hisab se hi ghazal banayenge. If you take Urdu words from Google and put them in a ghazal, woh toh kam hi padega na.' "Youngsters want instant gratification, instant success and instant appreciation... toh focus change hota hai. Even if they include ghazals in a film, they will only do so to ensure it becomes a hit." - Rekha Bhardwaj
Deccan Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Deccan Herald
Why do queer men love Rekha?
Rekha's 'Umrao Jaan' re-release during Pride Month revives her status as a queer icon -- fierce, wounded, and divine, writes Chintan Girish Modi
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Vidya Balan recalls watching 'Umrao Jaan' while holding Rekha's hand: ‘She was made for the celluloid'
Vidya Balan recently shared a touching experience she had while watching 'Umrao Jaan' with Rekha herself. In an interview, Vidya described the experience as 'surreal,' revealing how the film — and Rekha's presence — left her in awe. Vidya watched Umrao Jaan with Rekha In an interview with THR India, Vidya said she rewatched Umrao Jaan not just as a fan, but as an actor curious to revisit the film through a more mature lens. Sitting beside Rekha during the screening, she found herself repeatedly turning to look at her, stunned by the proximity to someone she considers a living legend. On her other side sat Shabana Azmi, whose mother, Shaukat Kaifi, also appeared in the film — making the moment feel like a convergence of cinematic history. Rekha's magnetism Vidya expressed that Rekha's performance in Umrao Jaan transcended the screen. Despite the presence of stars like Naseeruddin Shah, Farooq Shaikh, and Dina Pathak, she said Rekha's aura dominated every frame. Vidya described her as someone who seemed destined for cinema, adding that there were no words to fully capture her essence. Why Vidya returned to old films Vidya explained that she wished to reconnect with shows that had beauty and depth because she was fed up with bloodshed, violence, and formulaic series. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo She even stated in conversations that something about classics like Umrao Jaan reminded her of goodness and grace in storytelling — films that feed the soul in ways modern content does not. Rekha's legacy through Vidya's eyes In earlier interviews, she has described Rekha as a symbol of self-love, elegance, and artistic generosity. This is not the first time Vidya has spoken about Rekha's impact on her. From gifting Vidya a green Kanjeevaram saree after 'The Dirty Picture' to slipping a ring on her finger post-No One Killed Jessica, Rekha's gestures have left lasting impressions on Vidya's journey. On the work front Vidya was last seen in 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3', where she starred alongside Kartik Aaryan, Madhuri Dixit, and Tripti Dimri. She is next set to appear in Riteish Deshmukh's untitled historical drama based on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Vidya Balan says Rekha is ‘desire incarnate': ‘I think she was made for the celluloid'
Actor Vidya Balan, known for her commanding screen presence and fearless authenticity, recently opened up about watching Umrao Jaan with veteran actor Rekha, describing it as a 'surreal experience'. Vidya also praised Rekha's performance in the film, saying 'she was made for the celluloid.' In an interview with THR India, the actor said, 'I just wanted to rewatch certain films that I saw as an actor, just to see how they have aged and what my perception would be now. Last night I watched Umrao Jaan with Rekha holding my hand, and at some points in the film, I would just stare back at her with shock and think, 'Really?' It was just a surreal experience, because on the other side I had Shabana Azmi, whose mother, Shaukat Kaifi, is also in the film.' ALSO READ | 'Rekha is very sensitive, afraid of getting hurt,' recalls Kabir Bedi, says they didn't socialise much during Khoon Bhari Maang: 'She protects herself' Vidya Balan didn't hold back in expressing her admiration for Rekha and her performance in Umrao Jaan, saying, 'There are so many talented people in that film, like Naseeruddin Shah, Farooq Shaikh, and Dina Pathak, but you just can't take your eyes off of Rekha ji. I think she was made for the celluloid; if there is one person who was, it's her. There is no word to describe her, because she is just so above anything you could say. I think she is desire incarnate; that's what she exudes in every frame.' Vidya added that the reason for going back to old films was because she was tired of watching series, which had too much violence, and she just wanted to see something which made her believe that there is still good in the world. Vidya Balan was last seen in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 alongside Kartik Aaryan, Madhuri Dixit, and Tripti Dimrii. She will be next seen in Riteish Deshmukh's untitled film on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
