Veteran actress, Rakhee Gulzar remains a respected name in Hindi and Bengali cinema, known for her powerful presence and selective roles. Her last appearance in Hindi cinema was in the 2002 film, Dil Ka Rishta, followed by Bengali films like Shubho Mahurat (2003) and Nirban (2019). She recently returned with the Bengali drama, Aamar Boss, currently running successfully in theatres. Among her final Bollywood roles was Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love (2001), where she starred alongside Amitabh Bachchan. As the film marked 24 years, Rakhee fondly reminisced about her bond with Big B.
Rakhee Gulzaar on her bond with Amitabh Bachchan
In a conversation with ETimes, the ever-graceful Rakhee looked back fondly at her experience working with Amitabh Bachchan in one of her last Bollywood films, Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love, which turns 24 this year. The actress, who has worked with the megastar in several successful films, such as Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and Kaala Patthar, talked about the first time they worked together in Sunil Dutt’s 1971 romance drama, Reshma Aur Shera. Both Rakhee and Amitabh were supporting actors in the film, and the latter was apparently smitten with legendary actress, Waheeda Rehman. Rakhee recalled:
“We have done some of our most successful films together. Our relationship started with Sunil Dutt Saab’s Reshma Aur Shera. We both had supporting roles. Amit was completely besotted by Waheeeda ji. We all were. We had quite a lot of fun doing this film. We were young, spirited, impulsive, and adventurous. We had nothing to lose. Amit was a lot of fun, bahot masti karte the.”
When asked how Amitabh Bachchan changed over the years, given the thirty-year gap between their early collaboration and Ek Rishtaa, Rakhee insisted that the megastar was the same old fun-loving and adventurous guy she had met thirty years ago. Reflecting on their delightfully unique off-screen rapport, the actress said with a smile:
“Not for me. He was still the same. Do you know we speak only in Bengali when we meet? He insists on it.”
Rakhee Gulzar recalls her KBC obsession on the Ek Rishtaa set
Further into the interview, Rakhee Gulzar addressed the long-standing rumour that the actress used to pause shooting for Ek Rishtaa to watch the iconic game show, Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). With a laugh, the actress confirmed that it was, in fact, the truth, revealing that she was so addicted to the show that she would not miss a single episode, even when she was in the middle of a shoot. In her words:
“Suneel Darshan must have told you. I plead guilty. I was completely addicted to KBC and wouldn’t miss a single episode. When KBC was on, I wouldn’t shoot… they did other scenes until KBC finished playing.”
Rakhee Gulzar on her Bollywood comeback
It has been 23 years since Rakhee Gulzar stepped into Bollywood’s silver screen, and she remains selective of which films to do and what types of roles she wants to play. The actress did not mince her words when she was asked why she is not seen on screen more often. Mentioning her latest role in Aamar Boss as ‘Shubhra Goswami’, a retired nurse recovering from heart surgery who decides to join her son’s office as an intern, Rakhee assured that she would readily agree if she got an interesting offer.
What do you think about Rakhee Gulzar’s revelations about her camaraderie with Amitabh Bachchan?
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