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Learning from experiences
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She is a lover of beauty, a spiritual person for whom "the thirst for knowledge and people is not a pursuit but a way of life." Discover yet another facet of actress Rekha, who was in the city recently...
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As she spoke in that famous husky voice, there was an aura of old world charm. But actress Rekha is perhaps more equipped to handle modern life than many. Her appearance at a function in the city recently set many a heart aflutter — not just because of her drop dead gorgeous looks but also because she is someone who has scaled the pinnacles of fame and is still so warm about people she cares for.
During her Chennai sojourn, she did not have much time. But when we got talking — all on the phone — she got into the spirit of things and spoke at length about some ``fundas'' in life.
What is she working on at present? ``It's film called `Koi Mil Gaya' by Rakesh Roshan with Hrithik Roshan in the lead. I play his mom and it is an unusual mother-son relationship. The role as such is not too big, but I guess the aspect of motherhood makes it worthwhile."
When asked about her choice of films, pat came the answer ``Why do we breathe? All one does is to give one's best for anything. To be conscious of everything we do — and if it is to do with acting, well then, do it with conviction. And what ever I do is because I want to do it. It is something for me to understand, and discover things in the process.''
Rekha's gratitude manifests in all that she does. ``I have always been grateful about every experience in my life. Real living is all about learning from experiences. Even while going through negative experiences, I have never asked `why me'. It has always been why not me? I've always believed that one must rise above any situation."
The actress hates to publicise the good she does for people. And that is something she does a lot. The work she does for charity is out of the routine and she does not believe in talking about it.
"I have my own world and rules — I don't believe in charity as the world sees it. I am a passively aggressive person trying to do good for as many people as possible. I don't like to publicise my goals and my achievements. My achievements should speak for itself.''
The topic inevitably shifts to her beauty and her remarkably preserved looks. "Hmm,'' she laughs. "Well, I guess I've got to thank the genes first. And then it is the mental and physical discipline that I put myself through. It's not just a routine but also a lifestyle. I respect my body and myself. I am grateful with the results. Believe me, it is not just now, but this has been so for many years.''
And what is that routine? "It's a typical South Indian one," she says. "I get up at five, do yoga and exercise, bathe and perform pooja. It's funny because I am not religious in the true sense of the word. It's just that I love the beautiful aspects that go into drawing the kolam, decorating with flowers and lighting the lamp. The whole thing is so aesthetic — I like to create that world for myself. God is my best friend. I talk to him every minute of the day and I believe that he is a strong force in my life, a source of power. According to me, not acknowledging Him is like denying your own self. Work happens after all this, and I never shoot beyond eight. I love meeting people but I don't mind even if I have to be alone. My house is very beautiful — there are plants, nature staring at me from every window frame and I am a fanatic as far as cleanliness is concerned."
She does have a few friends with whom she regularly interacts — people who she believes enrich her life beyond what she can describe. And they include her hairdresser and make-up man too.
With the strict pattern she has set for herself, she has turned vegetarian now and is very particular about her meal times. Eating on time and sensibly— yoghurt, salads, fruits — shows and it is there for all of us to see. Youthful and glowing.
Is it because she is single that she is able to conduct such a life for herself?
"Maybe. These perhaps are the fruits of being single. I love kids but they never happened to me. Why it did not is something I have never questioned. I have chosen this path. There are some things that I do not miss having in my life. I have never tasted alcohol. I lost a brother to it so I never wanted to even try it. I've never tried drugs either. I don't medicate myself. I only take natural things like herbs and try out home remedies - things that work for me".
What would she do when she is old and not capable of doing things all by herself?
She says, "This is the only life I know. To be without people. So I cannot expect more. I am not so ungrateful to expect people to come around me at that time. It suits me now and I guess it will be so then as well.''
"I think I have been born to be a spectator. I have seen how marriages go and how relationships shape. Sometimes, I feel why do we have to get married at all? What does a formal piece of paper have to do with a union of souls? I don't have too many wants. In life I don't exist. I am only there to fulfil my role in this big scheme God seems to have in mind for me''.
It was getting rather serious. So we switched to things more down to earth — about films that have interested her. As an enthusiast and as someone associated with the film industry.
"Well, I liked `American Sweethearts.' It's a film one can identify with. I have not seen `Gladiator' though I have been told that it is really nice. I saw `Asoka' and liked Santosh Sivan's work. He's given Kareena such a different look. Shah Rukh Khan is as always — good. But may be I am too intense. One day, I will make a film — hopefully that would satisfy my intensity.''
Rekha is a true romantic — she goes from topic to topic like a butterfly that knows that everything is transient, intangible and inexplicable.
She is a lover of beauty, a spiritual person for whom "the thirst for knowledge and people is not a pursuit but a way of life. Never lose faith in whatever your heart tells you to do. Don't forget the past because you can learn so much from it. Don't think of the future except maybe in things like savings and such like. All you have is now. Make the best of it.''
CHITRA MAHESH
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