15 Songs that DEFINE Rekha

Grace, glamour, guts, you'll never run out of reasons to adore Rekha.

Regaling fans since decades with her brand of charm and charisma, Bollywood's eternal diva has channelled lot of these attributes in her chartbuster songs.

Sukanya Verma celebrates Rekha's 70th birthday on October 10 by looking at her definitive songs.

 

Ghum Hai Kisi Ke Pyaar from Rampur Ka Lakshman

A teenaged Rekha treading the coy heroine path while exchanging notes with co-star Randhir Kapoor to the sugar-coated flirtations of Ghum Hai Kisi Ke is Bollywood's garden-variety romance at its peak.

O Sheronwali from Suhaag

Dressed to kill in jewels and jewelled tones, Rekha dons the ghagra choli and shows off her smooth dandiya moves while demonstrating her awe and devotion to Maa Sheronwali is the definitive imagery of Navratri.

 

Rafta Rafta from Kahani Kismat Ki

Kahani Kismat Ki is hilarious for its continuity issues as well as its actors Dharmendra and Rekha monkeying around against the 1970s banger much to the delight of star-struck bystanders.

 

Hanste Hanste Kat Jaayen Raste from Khoon Bhari Maang

The philosophical musings underlining Rekha's Return to Eden rip-off revenge saga resonate even better when played in context of the actor's innate strength of character and survivor spirit.

 

In The Night No Control from Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi

Few things drop our jaws like Rekha letting her hair down.

At 42, the scorching star made everyone go weak in their knees as she romanced her much younger co-star Akshay Kumar to In The Night No Control's seductive beats.

Back in 1996, when her contemporaries were relegated to playing Ma to those very heroes, this made for a bold, beautiful move.

 

Salaam-e-ishq from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar

You can tell the enduring popularity of a song when it inspires a movie title after it like it did for Nikkhil Advani's multistarrer in 2007.

Rekha's magnetism and masti is on full display, as her 1970s era Chandramukhi likens 'pyaar' to 'bhool' before a lovelorn Devdas.

 

Dil Cheez Kya Hai from Umrao Jaan

Rekha's National Award-winning portrayal of the poetic courtesan blends the star's glossy persona and poignant passions.

One you'll wholeheartedly agree to when she offers Dil Cheez Kya Hai Aap Meri Jaan Lijiye.

 

Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum from Silsila

As the 'woh' inspiring the Big B's classic 'Main aur meri tanhayi aksar yeh baatein karti hain' lines of Silsila, Rekha lives up to the image of both gorgeous muse and society-defying romantic rebel.

The lines between reel and real are blurred when her besotted being states, 'Tu badan hai main hoon chhaya. Tu na ho toh main kahan hoon.'

 

Tere Bina Jiya Jaaye Na from Ghar

The sight of Rekha lovingly arranging photographs of her significant other and humming Tere Bina Jiya Jaaye Na while he's away at work and let us into the newlyweds' world.

It's also what makes the ensuing events of Ghar even more tragic.

 

Sun Sun Sun Didi Tere Liye from Khubsoorat

Rekha's playful, mischievous side flourishes as she relentlessly pesters and teases her big sister about a marriage prospect.

Performed in classic Hrishikesh Mukerji sensibilities, Sun Sun Sun Didi Sun Didi reiterates her bubbly aura and flair for comedy.

 

Pardesiya from Mr Natwarlal

Sab kehte hain maine tujhko dil de liye. Main kehti hoon toone mera dil le liye.

Technicalities of the heart matter in Rekha's vibrant celebration and public declarations of love to AB in and as Mr Natwarlal.

 

Pyar Do Pyar Lo from Jaanbaaz

Originally picturised on Rekha for a Feroz Khan project that never took off, the film-maker retained the snazzy Pyar Do Pyar Lo in Jaanbaaz as a special dance number.

Known for her traditional looks, Rekha lets her hair down in a slick, sensual, stylish nightclub avatar.

 

Mann Kyon Behka from Utsav

Rekha's love for gold sparkles as does her magnanimity towards Anuradha Patel in the ultimate girl bonding moment of Utsav, Mann Kyon Behka, performed by the legendary duo and sisters, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.

 

Katra Katra Milti Hai from Ijaazat

Rekha's romance, restraint and wisdom is at its most evolved and graceful in the flow of Gulzar's words and R D Burman's music as the woman recounting her past across Ijaazat's Katra Katra Milti Hai, Katra Katra Jeene Do, Zindagi Hai.

 

Kaisi Paheli Zindagani from Parineeta

At 51, the philosophising is as strong and striking as ever in the retro allure of Rekha's groovy club dance in Parineeta.