Amitabh is my guru, says Rekha

Mumbai, Oct 19 - Bollywood's inimitable diva Rekha has spoken candidly about Amitabh Bachchan, saying he taught her the nuances of acting. She praised his performance in 'Last Lear' as have ry Shakespearean'.

'He's my guru. I learnt so much from him,' Rekha told IANS.

Commenting on Amitabh's role in 'Last Lear', she said: 'Seriously I think Rituparno Ghosh is like Utpal Dutt. And I believe Bachchan is very Shakespearean in 'Last Lear'. Together I believe the two have paid a very proper tribute to Shakespeare. I'm looking forward to it.

'I seriously think Bachchan is more Bengali than any one I know. He's a true Bengali dada. And I'm not saying that because he has a Bengali wife or has spent time in Kolkata. There's more of Rabindranath Tagore's legacy in him than anyone else.'

Is she aware that Preity Zinta in Rituparno Ghosh's 'Last Lear' has been styled, a la Rekha in 'Silsila'?

'Has she? Is it an imitation or a tribute? We have to make that distinction very clearly,' said Rekha, who turned 53 Oct 10.

Asked about her birthday celebrations, she said: 'I didn't notice. For me every day is a celebration, every moment a blessing from god. I don't need to visit temples on my birthday. There's a temple right here in my house and that's where prayed, as I do every day.'

How does she manage to remain so positive in spite of so much negativity around her?

'I don't think about negative things. There's so much beauty, love and excitement to be savoured every day. People can get to us only if we allow them to. Besides, I don't believe people are negative without reason. Even the cobra that bites you has a reason to do so.

'At Dev Saab's book release, I had to rush in and rush out because my pup Shiva was waiting in the car. I have five pups and all very dear to me. They are my children. I left Shiva in the car. Yes, I did trip but I went right into the car! So it was a perfect trip.

'People ask me about the way I conduct my life. Sorry, beautiful music is conducted... Lives cannot be conducted. At least I have always gone with the flow, risen and fallen with the rhythms of existence without, tripping over seriously.

'My current high is bonding with Shah Rukh Khan. Of course, I have known him for years. But lately we are connecting more profoundly. I have done a blink-and-miss appearance in 'Om Shanti Om' and that's when I got to know him seriously. He has a sharp mind.'

(c) Indo-Asian News Service

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