Veteran Bollywood Actress Rekha sparked widespread controversy on Monday after a viral video captured her pushing away a female fan who approached her for a selfie at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The footage, shared by celebrity photographer Viral Bhayani on Instagram, shows Rekha, dressed in a casual white top paired with black trousers and a matching shrug, striding purposefully towards the exit when the fan rushes in close with her phone extended. Rekha promptly raises her hand, gently but firmly pushes the woman aside, and declines the request, with her manager, Farzana, also intervening to block the approach.

Moments after the awkward encounter, Rekha's demeanour shifted noticeably as she reached her waiting car outside the terminal. She greeted the waiting paparazzi with her signature warm smile, struck a brief pose for photographs, and waved graciously before departing, highlighting a stark contrast in her interactions with fans versus media professionals. The 71-year-old icon, known for her timeless elegance and selective public appearances, had recently returned from the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, where she was honoured for her iconic role in the 1981 film Umrao Jaan, adding to the buzz around her airport sighting.

Social media erupted almost immediately with the clip, amassing thousands of views and comments within hours, as netizens drew inevitable parallels to Jaya Bachchan, the veteran actress infamous for her no-nonsense attitude towards paparazzi and fans. The moniker "Jaya Bachchan 2.0" trended quickly, with users expressing a mix of disappointment and sarcasm. One commenter lamented, "I feel bad for the woman… what was so difficult about spending a few seconds for someone who considers you their fan?" Another quipped, "OMG, started acting like Jaya Bachchan," while a third remarked, "Then what’s the difference between Jaya and Rekha?" Some even accused her of selective politeness, noting, "She only behaves well with established celebrities, not even with newcomers."

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This isn't the first time Rekha has faced backlash for similar incidents; back in August, her manager drew criticism for physically pushing away an enthusiastic fan at another event, underscoring ongoing debates about celebrity boundaries in an era of pervasive smartphone culture. While supporters defended her right to personal space amid constant public scrutiny—echoing Jaya Bachchan's own past criticisms of paparazzi as "unprofessional"—the episode reignited conversations on fan entitlement and the pressures of fame in Bollywood's increasingly invasive media landscape. As the video continues to circulate, it serves as a reminder of Rekha's enigmatic persona, blending grace with guarded privacy that has defined her six-decade career.

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