Rekha, a name synonymous with grace, beauty, and unforgettable performances, has delivered numerous blockbusters throughout her illustrious career. Even after decades, her charm continues to captivate audiences, and her beauty rivals that of the younger actresses in the industry today. While she has distanced herself from the film industry in recent years, Rekha remains a constant fixture in the media, not only for her career but also for her personal life, which has often been marred by controversy.
Among her many publicised affairs, the legendary love story between Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan still manages to ignite discussions and speculations, decades after its inception. But while Amitabh remains the most talked-about chapter in her romantic history, Rekha’s love life was much more complex, involving numerous high-profile relationships. Here, we delve into the lesser-known details of Rekha’s romantic entanglements and the impact they had on her life.
Navin Nischol – The Early Days
Rekha's journey into the world of Hindi cinema began with her debut as the lead actress in Sawan Bhadon. Alongside her was Navin Nischol, who also marked his Bollywood debut with this film. During the course of shooting, the two actors grew close, and rumours of an affair quickly surfaced. However, their relationship was short-lived, as Navin’s affections soon shifted elsewhere, leaving Rekha to endure her first publicised heartbreak.
Jeetendra – A Love That Wasn’t Meant to Last
After her separation from Navin Nischol, Jeetendra, a reigning star of the time, entered Rekha’s life. Despite being in a committed relationship with Shobha Kapoor, Jeetendra became enamoured with Rekha while Shobha was abroad. Their relationship blossomed on the sets of Ek Bechara, but it was never destined for a happy ending. Rekha overheard Jeetendra dismissing her as nothing more than a "passing phase," a comment that deeply wounded her. Hurt and disillusioned, she ended the affair.
Kiran Kumar – Another Fleeting Romance
Following her breakup with Jeetendra, Rekha sought solace in the company of Kiran Kumar. However, like her previous relationships, this one too proved to be short-lived, and the couple soon went their separate ways.
Vinod Mehra – A Love Shrouded in Controversy
As her heart continued to endure one heartbreak after another, Rekha found comfort in her friendship with Vinod Mehra, which eventually blossomed into love. Vinod had already been married twice, but that did not deter their affection for one another. According to Yasir Usman’s Rekha: The Untold Story, the two were reportedly married in Kolkata. However, when Vinod brought Rekha home, his mother vehemently disapproved of the match, even going as far as to physically assault Rekha. Unable to stand up to his mother, Vinod watched silently as their relationship crumbled. To this day, Rekha has never publicly acknowledged their marriage.
Amitabh Bachchan – The Most Controversial Chapter
Perhaps the most famous and enduring chapter in Rekha’s love life is her much-discussed relationship with Amitabh Bachchan. Their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, and soon rumours of an off-screen romance began circulating. By this time, Amitabh was already married to actress Jaya Bhaduri, which only added to the intrigue surrounding their alleged affair.
One of the most infamous moments in this saga occurred at the wedding of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, where Rekha arrived adorned with vermilion and a mangalsutra, sparking speculation that she had secretly married Amitabh. The rumours reached Jaya, who reportedly invited Rekha over for dinner. With Amitabh absent, Jaya is said to have welcomed Rekha warmly but made it clear that she would never leave her husband. This meeting marked the end of Rekha and Amitabh's association, both personally and professionally, as they never worked together again.
Raj Babbar – A Brief Connection
Following her separation from Amitabh, Rekha’s romantic journey continued with actor Raj Babbar. The two grew close after the untimely death of Raj’s wife, Smita Patil, and their camaraderie soon evolved into a relationship. Rekha, at this point, was looking for stability and was keen on marriage, but Raj refused, leading to yet another heartbreak for the actress.
Sanjay Dutt – A Rumoured Affair
In the 1980s, Rekha’s name was linked with Sanjay Dutt, who had only recently begun his career in Bollywood. The affair, though never confirmed, caused quite a stir, especially with Sanjay’s mother, the legendary actress Nargis, reportedly expressing disdain for Rekha, labelling her a “witch who ensnares men.” Their relationship soon dissolved, adding another chapter of pain to Rekha’s turbulent love life.
Mukesh Aggarwal – A Tragic Marriage
Yearning for stability and peace, Rekha married Delhi-based businessman Mukesh Aggarwal, whom she met at a party. Mukesh, utterly besotted with the actress, proposed marriage the same day, and the two were wed in a temple. However, their union was far from the fairytale Rekha had hoped for. Mukesh, unbeknownst to her at the time of marriage, suffered from severe depression, and their relationship soon deteriorated. Rekha returned to Mumbai, leaving Mukesh behind in Delhi. Tragically, on 2nd October 1990, Mukesh took his own life. Following his death, Rekha was mercilessly vilified by the public and media, accused of being responsible for her husband’s demise.
Akshay Kumar – The Last Rumour
In the later years of her career, Rekha found herself embroiled in yet another rumoured affair, this time with a much younger actor, Akshay Kumar. The whispers began during the filming of Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi, where she starred alongside Akshay and Raveena Tandon. At the time, Akshay was also romantically involved with Raveena, and when she heard of the alleged affair, she reportedly confronted both Rekha and Akshay. However, neither party ever confirmed or denied the rumours, leaving the story shrouded in mystery.
