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Straight from the heart

Rekha talks fondly about her Sadiyaan director Raj Kanwar and sharing screen space with Hema Malini and Luv Sinha for the first time

What is it about Hema Malini’s acting that you liked?

I have to say, she amazed me all over again. While she is as graceful and beautiful as ever, she has grown in leaps and bounds as an actress. She plays a Pakistani and her Urdu accent was flawless. She has played her role to the ‘T’.

How is Luv Sinha as an actor; does he remind you of Shatrughan Sinha in any way?

I was pleasantly surprised to see that his acting style is underplayed. His style is uniquely him and very different from Shatruji. He is very much his own person. I like that. He was very conscientious too. Even if a take is okayed, he would want another one. ‘I can do better’, he would say. ‘Welcome to the club’, I told him – actors always feel that they can do better than the final take.

And how’s your director Raj Kanwar to work with?

He is really the coolest guy. His favourite line is ‘Koi gal nahi ji’ – whatever the crisis. Even if the earth shook under his feet, that would be his reaction! So shooting with him was a no-stress affair. I have nothing but happy memories of working on this film. The performances I remember are those that have an emotional connect for me; that bring back happy memories of the time spent with the people I worked with and Sadiyaan is one of those films. I just pray that people will remember this role too.

How would you remember Sadiyaan?

Some years hence, maybe I will recall Sadiyaan with fondness, for the opportunity it gave me to work with Rishi Kapoor and Hemaji. To be Luv’s mother on and off-screen during its making, because Luv treated me with the utmost respect and love as if I were his real mum. And, for the opportunity to visit the Golden Temple and Amritsar for the first time. The conviction and simplicity, yet effectiveness in which Raj has told his story, is what I’ll carry in my heart forever.