REKHA A WOMAN IN LOVE WITH HER ART

As she received her award and during the screening of her 1981 classic, 'Umrao Jaan', the star of the night shared her philosophy, her joy, and her power, with quiet humility

- By Manjusha Radhakrishnan

Rekha in Umrao Jaan

I don’t think I've ever seen anything quite like it. The fifth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival was already buzzing, but then she walked in. Rekha. The legendary, reclusive Bollywood icon who isn’t a fan of public interactions. I had a perfect view from the row behind her at the cinema hall showcasing her 1981 classic, Umrao Jaan, and I can honestly say - every detail mattered.

CINEMATIC ROYALTY

She wore an ivory-and-gold silk sari that seemed to glow under the lights, her hair in that signature bun with pearl and gold broche, large netted drop earrings framing her face. Her eyes and lips were dramatically lined and her bangles perfectly matched her sari. She looked every bit the cinematic royalty that decades of films have made her, yet she carried herself with a quiet humility. When fans swarmed around her for a selfie - much to the annoyance of her surly bodyguards - she just smiled demurely.

No other star - barring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan - had triggered such fan frenzy at the festival so far, but both actresses handled it like pros.