The Great Indian Kapil Show: Archana Puran Singh recalls meeting Rekha ….
Archana Puran Singh recently took to her Instagram handle to recall her childhood dream and the conversations she had with Rekha over makeup and “the ‘he’ she often referred to”.
It was a dream come true moment for Archana Puran Singh when she first worked with Bollywood diva Rekha in the 1989 film Ladaai. Now, after over 35 years, the actress shared the stage with the veteran star on The Great Indian Kapil Show. Taking to her Instagram handle, Archana Puran Singh shared a long note about how dreams do come true and her conversation with the diva over the mysterious ‘he’ she often talks about.
Sharing a set of photos from the Kapil Sharma show, Archana Puran Singh recalled her childhood days when she hardly had hopes of ever visiting Bombay. She wrote, “When I saw Rekhaji’s Sawan Bhadon, I was a kid living in a small town with hardly a hope of ever visiting Bombay… and definitely no hope of ever meeting her personally!”
However, the day finally came when Archana got to work with her icon. She shared, “Years later I worked with her in ‘Ladai’ where she called me to her makeup room and advised me on makeup and how to put on fake eyelashes, a trend she was credited with having started in Bollywood.”
Talking about her bond with Rekha, Archana said, “I remember we are in a Filmcity lawn discussing this and that. And when I questioned her about who this ‘he’ she was talking of was, she threw at me a ‘you don’t know who HE is’?
She added, “She is warm, she is irrepressible, she is a living legend and it has been an absolute delight to know her and meet her each time.!! Dreams do come true for small kids from small hometowns.” Rekha will make her first-ever appearance on Netflix’s The Great Indian Kapil Show this weekend. The makers of the show shared a teaser, giving a glimpse of all the fun to unwind on Saturday. In the video, Rekha can be seen dancing with Krushna Abhishek, who is dressed as Amitabh Bachchan’s character. In one segment of the teaser,, Kapil is seen narrating a funny incident from his appearance on Amitabh Bachchan’s popular quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati, to which Rekha responds, “Mujhse puchiye na, ek ek dialogue yaad hai (Ask me, I remember each dialogue).”
The special episode will be live-streamed on December 8.
#What other memorable moments did Rekha share on Kapil Sharma’s show?
Rekha’s The Great Indian Kapil Show had numerous memorable moments:
Dance Recreation: She recreated her signature dance number with Krushna Abhishek dressed as Amitabh Bachchan that brought back nostalgia to everyone.
Shayari Performance: Rekha expressed her poetic skills by giving a beautiful shayari on love and relationships and won everyone’s heart by her elegance.
Glamorous Entry: The song “Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum” echoed through an entrance that glamorised the audience to wear sarees and jewels in her name.
Beauties’ Secrets: Asking about her ageless beauty, the actress gave due credit to her mother as the style advisor and shared few personal tidbits of life3.
Humorous Interactions: Rekha engaged in playful banter with the cast, particularly laughing at Kiku Sharda’s comedic take on her character from Umrao Jaan.
#Did Rekha perform any iconic songs from her films on the show.
Yes, Rekha sang iconic songs from her films on The Great Indian Kapil Show. She danced to “Salam-e-Ishq” from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar with Krushna Abhishek. She also recited some classic Urdu poetry and light banter, charming the audience with her vibrant personality and nostalgia for her musical legacy.
#Which of her film songs did Rekha sing live on the show?
On The Great Indian Kapil Show, Rekha sang numerous iconic songs from her films including:
“Salam-e-Ishq Meri Jaan” from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar
Kaahe Manwa Naache Hamra from Ghar
Aajkal Paon Zameen Par from Ghar
Such performances highlighted her talent of a lifetime and connection with her classic film music by enthralling the audiences with nostalgia and charm.
#Rekha sang any of the songs from her film collaborations with RD Burman or Kalyanji-Anandji?
Rekha sang songs from her collaborations with both R.D. Burman and Kalyanji-Anandji on The Great Indian Kapil Show. Specifically, she sang:
“Kaahe Manwa Naache Hamra” from Alaap (Jaidev) and “Gum Hai Kisi Ke Pyar Mein” from Raampur Ka Lakshman (R.D. Burman).
“Salaam-e-Ishq Meri Jaan” from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and “Tumne Kisi Se Kabhi Pyar Kiya Hai” from Dharmatma, which were composed by Kalyanji-Anandji.
These songs were some of the most iconic film music hits.
#Did Rekha ever sing any of these live?
Rekha performed live at the IIFA 2024 where she did render many of these old numbers through singing and dancing. The following songs were presented with the audience glued to the performances:
“Piaa Tose Naina Lage Re” from Guide (1965)
“Mohe Panghat Pe” from Mughal-e-Azam (1960)
“Lag Jaa Gale” from Woh Kaun Thi (1964)
“Pardesiya Yeh Sach Hai Piya” from Mr. Natwarlal (1979)
Her performance was a nostalgic highlight, demonstrating her enduring charm and grace on stage.
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#How was the audience reception of Rekha’s live performances?
The audience reaction to Rekha’s live performances at IIFA 2024 was great. She has captivated the audience with her poise and grace in her 20-minute performance, which includes the evergreen numbers “Piya Tose Naina Lage Re” and “Lag Jaa Gale.” Fans are showering praises on social media, terming her as “the ultimate diva” and saying that one cannot believe that she was performing so effortlessly at 70. Many expressed nostalgia over the old world charm of classic Bollywood and commented on how she is a beauty at any age, with much energy in her performance.
#What was the audience reaction toward Rekha’s performance at IIFA 2024?
The reception that the performance of Rekha received by the audience at IIFA 2024 was a bit too high and ecstatic. She made her leave in attendance with a performance of “Piya Tose Naina Lage Re.”. Fans filled social media hailing her as “the ultimate diva” and marveling over the fact that she remains a performer who can dance so graciously at 70. Clips of the performance went viral, and viewers commented on her timelessness and unmatched poise while bringing back memories of her golden days in cinema.
#Were there any special moments or interactions between Rekha and the audience?
Rekha shared many special moments with the audience in her IIFA 2024 performance. She interacted with fans by thanking them for their support and recalling landmark songs that brought cheers and applause from the audience. Her candid reactions, such as banter and heartfelt acknowledgments, added to the warmth of the ambiance. The same time, the audience visibly shook while she was performing and most of them were posting on social media that she still had the timelessness appeal and was connected to her fans. In the entire process, the interaction displayed Rekha’s continued appeal and affection from her admirers.
#How did Rekha’s association with the Bachchan family change with time?
The years have seen camaraderie and tension in Rekha’s relationship with the Bachchan family. Rekha and Jaya Bachchan were great friends and neighbors in the early 1970s and spent much time together before Amitabh Bachchan’s stardom. However, their friendship soured after Jaya married Amitabh in 1973, due to rumors of an affair between Rekha and Amitabh that started during the shooting of Do Anjaane in 1976.
Despite the initial fallout, Rekha has been seen smiling and chatting amicably with the Bachchan family at various events over the years. Some notable moments include a warm exchange at the Star Screen Awards in 2016, where Rekha congratulated Jaya and they shared a hug. Their interactions suggest a degree of reconciliation, although the past remains a point of public interest and speculation.
#What were some of the most memorable moments between Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan?
Some of the most memorable moments between Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan include:
Confession of Love: In a 2004 interview on Rendezvous with Simi Garewal, Rekha openly admitted her love for Amitabh, saying, “Absolutely! Duh, that’s a dumb question,” revealing the intensity of her emotions despite the complex nature of their relationship.
Iconic Film Collaborations: Their chemistry on screen in films such as Silsila and Do Anjaane already was legendary and sometimes depicted their off-screen romance as well. Their acting had the depth of emotional moments keeping everyone glued to the screens.
Public Appearance: Public appearance at Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh’s wedding wearing a wedding dress from a bridal designer gave much attention and people felt that Rekha had gone too far in talking to Amitabh.
Defending Each Other: Rekha defended Amitabh’s silence on their relationship, realizing his compulsion to maintain his family image, which reflected mutual respect despite all the challenges they had to face.
These moments sum up the complexity and endurance quality of their relationship with awe mixed in with unrequited love.