Actress Vidya Balan recently shared her “surreal experience” of watching the classic film ‘Umrao Jaan’ alongside the legendary Rekha, praising her performance as truly iconic.
A Memorable Movie Night
Vidya Balan revealed she has been revisiting old films to see how they’ve aged and how her perception has changed over time. Her recent watch, ‘Umrao Jaan’, turned into a remarkable event.
She watched the film while holding Rekha’s hand, an experience she described as “surreal.” To add to the magic, Shabana Azmi, whose mother Shaukat Kaifi also features in the film, was present.
Rekha: “Made for Celluloid”
Vidya couldn’t stop gushing about Rekha’s captivating presence in the film. Despite the movie featuring other talented actors like Naseeruddin Shah and Farooq Shaikh, Vidya noted that her eyes were always drawn to Rekha.
“I think she was made for the celluloid,” Vidya stated, emphasizing Rekha’s unique ability to command the screen. She found it challenging to describe Rekha, saying the veteran actress is “above anything you could say.”
Vidya beautifully summarized Rekha’s on-screen aura, calling her “desire incarnate.” She believes this quality radiates from Rekha in every single frame of the film.
Finding Goodness in Cinema
Explaining her reason for turning to classic movies, Vidya shared she was growing tired of the violence often depicted in modern series. She sought films that would rekindle her belief in the inherent good in the world.
This desire to reconnect with more uplifting and timeless storytelling led her to revisit the classics, offering a refreshing break from contemporary content trends.
What’s Next for Vidya Balan
On the work front, Vidya Balan was last seen in ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’, where she starred alongside Kartik Aaryan, Madhuri Dixit, and Tripti Dimrii. Fans can look forward to her next project, an untitled film directed by Riteish Deshmukh, which is based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
- Vidya Balan watched ‘Umrao Jaan’ with Rekha and Shabana Azmi, calling the experience “surreal.”
- She praised Rekha’s screen presence, stating she was “made for the celluloid” and is “desire incarnate.”
- Balan is revisiting classic films to find “good in the world” and escape violent modern series.
- Her upcoming projects include a film about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Vidya Balan’s deep admiration for Rekha highlights the timeless appeal and impact of iconic performances in Indian cinema.
