The rumoured love triangle between Rekha, Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan is arguably the most talked about affair the Hindi film industry has ever experienced.

Although Amitabh has time and again denied these rumours, Rekha once did admit that there was something between her and Big B.

Speaking to Filmfare in November 1984, Rekha for the first time spoke about Amitabh and why he was continually denying reports of a possible affair with her.

“Why should he have not done it? He did it to protect his image, to protect his family, to protect his children. I think it is beautiful, I don’t care what the public thinks of it. Why should the public know of my love for him or his love for me? I love him, he loves me – that’s it! I don’t care what anybody thinks,” Rekha had said.

“If he’d reacted that way towards me in private, I would have been very disappointed. But has he ever done that? I ask you. So why should I care about what he’s said in public? I know people must be saying bechari Rekha, pagal hai us par, phir bhi dekho. Maybe I deserve that pity. Not that he has 10 rollicking affairs! Mr Bachchan is still old-fashioned. He doesn’t want to hurt anybody, so why hurt his wife?” Rekha added.

When asked how she would confirm the relationship every time Amitabh would deny it, Rekha had said, “My reaction is not a typical reaction, I know that. But there’s a total fulfilment. We are human beings who love and accept each other for what we are. There’s more happiness in our lives than misery.”

“Nothing else matters. But as long as I’m with that person, I don’t care. I cannot identify me with anyone else. Don’t publish this. For he’ll deny it. Then I’ll affirm it. Then there will be a statement from his camp saying, ‘No, no. she is nuts like Parveen Babi.’ Then I’ll say ‘No, no. Parveen Babi is not here, but here I am to issue a statement.’ Anyway, why should I be talking to you about my personal life? I am a very creative person. I have lots of interests. People love talking about my personal life. But I want to keep it to myself. Mr Bachchan is important to me, not to anybody else,” Rekha added.

Nearly four decades have passed since this episode but our hearts still skip a beat every time Amitabh and Rekha are seen together on screen.

PNN