Actress who worked with Rekha claims diva was 'jealous' of her: 'She made faces at me'

In the vibrant era of the 1970s, Moushumi Chatterjee stood tall among the most sought-after actresses in Indian cinema. With her charm, talent, and grace, she ruled the silver screen. Yet, behind the glitz and glamour, a storm brewed quietly — one that involved another iconic figure of the same era, Rekha. In a candid conversation with Filmfare, Moushumi recently opened up about their tense relationship, marked by jealousy, misunderstandings, and professional friction.

Tension Rooted in Vinod Mehra’s Shadow

One of the central triggers in their strained bond was actor Vinod Mehra. According to Moushumi, Rekha suspected her of exerting undue influence over Vinod’s personal affairs. Recalling a specific instance, she shared that Vinod’s mother would frequently ask her, not Rekha, to fetch things for her son. “She would say, ‘Indu, bring the envelope from Vinod’s cupboard,’ even while Rekha was sitting there,” Moushumi revealed. This seemingly innocent favor ignited Rekha’s resentment, leading her to believe that Moushumi was intruding into Vinod’s life. “She felt Vinod listened to me more than anyone else,” Moushumi said, adding that it made her an easy target of Rekha’s visible disdain.

Confrontation Behind the Curtains

Their icy rapport was not limited to cold glances and silent accusations. Moushumi remembered how Rekha would make faces at her whenever they crossed paths. Eventually, Moushumi chose to confront her. “She got nervous,” Moushumi stated, implying that the confrontation left Rekha flustered. Though she expressed doubt over whether Rekha would even recall the incident today, the memory remains vivid in Moushumi’s mind.

Prem Bandhan and a Battle Over Footwear

Another moment of tension arose on the sets of Prem Bandhan. Director Ramanand Sagar asked Moushumi to remove her heels so she would appear the same height as Rekha, who was barefoot. Moushumi flatly refused. “I come from a well-educated, affluent background,” she explained. “Why should I compromise? Give her a stool instead.” She stood her ground, demanding that the production adapt rather than asking her to change.

The Attempt to Replace Her in Daasi

Moushumi also recalled an audacious attempt by Rekha to replace her in the film Daasi. Frustrated with constantly playing the “second woman,” Rekha requested director Raj Khosla to give her Moushumi’s role — that of Sanjeev Kumar’s wife. “All his assistants burst out laughing,” Moushumi recalled. “Raj Khosla, who was slightly tipsy, said, ‘I’d have to rewrite the whole script!’” The implication was clear — Moushumi was irreplaceable in that role.

A Shared Filmography and Separate Paths

Despite their friction, the two stars shared screen space in several notable films like Prem Bandhan, Maang Bharo Sajana, Dildaar, Jyoti Bane Jwala, and Bhola Bhola. Today, Moushumi continues her journey in cinema, most recently appearing in the Bengali film Aarii, a poignant tale of love and sacrifice between a widowed mother and her son.