Bollywood has countless tales about Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan — but few are as dramatic as this one. Back in 1981, during the making of a cult classic, Rekha found herself struggling with a single line that left her trembling with nerves. Yet, what followed turned into one of the most talked-about moments on set: Rekha not only conquered her fear but ended the scene by hugging Amitabh Bachchan in front of everyone.
The 1981 cult classic Silsila is remembered not just for its music and star cast, but also for a behind-the-scenes moment that tested Rekha’s composure.
The actress once revealed that she was extremely nervous while filming an emotional scene where she had to say, “I hate you”. With nearly 15,000 people on set, the pressure was immense, and she found it hard to control her emotions.
Rekha recalled that Amitabh Bachchan encouraged her through the moment, helping her deliver the dialogue perfectly.
Though Silsila didn’t perform exceptionally well at the box office, it went on to achieve cult status, with its songs and on-screen chemistry between Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, and Jaya Bachchan becoming unforgettable.
Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha had shared the screen in several hit films, and their on-screen chemistry was widely admired. However, it wasn’t just their performances that captured public attention, their off-screen relationship also made headlines. While Amitabh Bachchan never spoke about the affair, Rekha has openly addressed it in various interviews.
In an interview, Rekha shared a fascinating anecdote. She reminisced about a scene from the film Silsila, where she had to deliver the line “I hate you”. She recalled that she had to cry while saying the emotional dialogue — a moment that proved immensely challenging for her.
Rekha revealed that Amitabh Bachchan told her about how actor James Dean once faced a similar struggle while filming Giant. Overcome with nerves, Dean had turned away and urinated in front of the crowd, later remarking, “What’s the worst that could happen?” before delivering a flawless shot. Encouraged by this story, Rekha thanked Amitabh Bachchan and managed to complete her scene.
She recalled that the moment the director called, “Start, camera, action,” the entire set fell silent. “When I finally hugged Amit ji,” Rekha said, “everyone gasped — I could barely contain my emotions.”
