Daijiworld Media Network - Jeddah

Jeddah, Dec 9: Bollywood icon Rekha was honoured with the prestigious Red Sea Honouree Award at the screening of the restored version of Muzaffar Ali’s 1981 classic Umrao Jaan at the Red Sea International Film Festival.

Draped in her signature elegance, Rekha charmed the audience with a touch of Umrao Jaan-style shayari, invoking lines from the beloved song Dil Cheez Kya Hai. “Is anjuman mein aapko aana hai baar baar... deewar-o-dar ko gaur se pehchaan lijiye,” she said, urging fans to return to the world of cinema again and again.

Calling films the greatest source of healing, the legendary actor said, “Come to see films every single day. That’s the only soothing factor. There’s no potion, no healing material than films. I am a living example. I am alive because of films.”

Rekha also opened up about her quiet nature, saying, “I am not much of a talker. Even in Umrao Jaan, the dialogues conveyed only half of what my eyes could see and express. One look is enough.”

Remembering her mother Pushpavalli, she added, “My mother always said, you don’t talk about your achievements. You don’t teach by telling—your life itself should be the lesson.”

Based on Mirza Hadi Ruswa's 1899 Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada, the film remains one of the finest performances of Rekha’s celebrated career and continues to be regarded as a timeless classic.