When Amitabh Bachchan broke his silence about ‘damaging’ Rekha rumours: ‘A big joke’

In a 1999 interview, the legendary Amitabh Bachchan addressed the damaging rumors surrounding his relationship with co-star Rekha. The rumors, stemming from their collaborations in films like Do Anjaane, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, and Silsila, first emerged during the turbulent days of the Emergency in the mid-1970s. Bachchan, who was already married to Jaya Bachchan, was frequently accused of supporting the central government and had built a difficult rapport with the media due to his perceived alignment with the administration.

When asked about the affair rumors, Bachchan remained tight-lipped, stating that he would only address such accusations if there was concrete, unchallenged proof. He emphasized that any reaction from him would only escalate the issue. He also tackled a specific rumor that Rekha had moved into his home, Pratiksha, calling it "damaging" and "misleading," as gullible readers might have believed the story based on photographs accompanying the report.

Bachchan admitted that these rumors pained him, particularly when it was insinuated that he had moved in with Rekha. He explained that such claims were absurd, as the property in question was a family home shared with his ailing parents. Despite the rumors, Bachchan maintained that Rekha held immense regard for him, as evidenced by her vocal admiration expressed in a 2004 interview.