Amitabh Bachchan , the Shahenshah of Bollywood, is known not just for his legendary films and unmatched voice but also for his enduring marriage with actress Jaya Bachchan.
While the couple continues to set relationship goals, their story hasn’t always been a smooth sail. One chapter, in particular, involving Rekha, remains one of Bollywood’s most talked-about off-screen tales of love, silence, and strength.
The Golden Couple and the Shadow of Rumour
Jaya and Amitabh’s romance began in the early 1970s, two rising stars drawn to each other by mutual respect and admiration. They married in 1973, and while Jaya often chose family over screen time, Amitabh’s career skyrocketed.
But then came a phase in the late 1970s when Rekha entered the frame — quite literally. With back-to-back films like Do Anjaane and Silsila, the chemistry between Amitabh and Rekha on screen sparked endless speculation off screen.
Rekha, unlike Amitabh and Jaya, never shied away from talking about her admiration and affection for the superstar, further fueling the fire. The media, unsurprisingly, had a field day for years, building a narrative that neither Amitabh nor Jaya ever publicly confirmed — until Jaya finally broke her silence in 2008.
In a rare and honest conversation with People magazine, Jaya finally addressed the elephant in the room: Amitabh’s rumoured affair with Rekha. Her response wasn’t defensive, nor bitter. It was mature, composed, and deeply telling of her strength.
She said,
“If there was any, he would have been somewhere else, na? People liked them as a couple on screen, and that’s fine. The media tried linking him with every one of his heroines. My life would have been hell if I had taken it all seriously. We are made of sterner stuff.”
Jaya acknowledged the gossip but refused to give it the power to destroy her peace.
On Rekha and the Idea of a Reunion
When asked if she’d mind if Rekha and Amitabh worked together again, Jaya gave an unexpectedly graceful response:
“Why should I mind? But I feel it will be more like a sensation than actual work. And that’s a pity because one will miss the opportunity of seeing them together. Both of them probably realize it will go beyond work.”
There’s something incredibly dignified in her words. Jaya didn’t just dismiss the possibility — she pointed out the sad reality that the noise around such a reunion would drown out the art itself.
Her Secret to a Lasting Marriage
So how did Jaya maintain her marriage through such intense public scrutiny? Her answer is something every generation can learn from.
She said,
“By just leaving him alone. You have to have the conviction. I married a good man and a family that believes in commitment. You must not get too possessive, especially in our profession, where you know things aren’t going to be easy. You can either drive the artiste crazy or you can help him or her grow. And if he goes, then he was never yours!”
These aren’t just words—they’re the mindset of someone who understands love isn’t about holding on tight, but about standing strong with faith, even when the world tries to shake you.
The Legacy of a Love Triangle That Never Faded
While Amitabh and Jaya continue to be pillars of each other’s lives, Rekha remains a timeless figure—an enigmatic mix of grace and mystery. The trio’s dynamic, whether real or magnified by media, has become one of the most iconic love stories Bollywood never officially confirmed.
From Muqaddar Ka Sikandar to Silsila, Amitabh and Rekha created magic on screen. Ironically, their last appearance together was in Silsila—a film that mirrored the very speculation it was surrounded by.
More than four decades later, the story of Amitabh, Jaya, and Rekha still sparks curiosity, but Jaya Bachchan’s grounded responses remind us that strength doesn’t always roar, sometimes, it simply endures.