Bollywood Icon Rekha received a standing ovation and the prestigious Red Sea Honouree Award at the 5th Red Sea International Film Festival on Monday night, honoured during a gala screening of the newly restored 4K version of her 1981 masterpiece, Umrao Jaan. The 71-year-old star, resplendent in an ivory-and-gold anarkali that mirrored the elegance of her legendary courtesan character, glided down the red carpet in Jeddah’s historic Al Balad district before an enthralled international audience that included Arab filmmakers, global critics, and diaspora fans. The tribute celebrated not just her transformative performance in Muzaffar Ali’s timeless classic but also her extraordinary six-decade journey that has cemented her as one of Indian cinema’s most revered and enigmatic figures.
Taking the stage after the screening, Rekha delivered a speech infused with shayari and poignant reflections on the healing power of cinema. Quoting the film’s immortal song “Dil Cheez Kya Hai”, she recited, “Is anjuman mein aapko aana hai baar baar... deewar-o-dar ko gaur se pehchaan lijiye,” urging the audience to return to theatres repeatedly. “Come to see films every single day,” she implored. “There is no potion, no healing material greater than films. I am a living example—I am alive because of films.” The emotional declaration, delivered with her trademark grace, left many in tears and drew prolonged applause from the packed auditorium.
Known for her reticence, Rekha candidly addressed her preference for silence over words, echoing the very essence of her Umrao Jaan character. “Even in Umrao Jaan, the dialogues conveyed only half of what my eyes could see and express. One look is enough,” she said, eliciting laughter and cheers. She paid heartfelt tribute to her late mother, actress Pushpavalli, recalling her lifelong advice: “You don’t talk about your achievements and feelings. You just live by example, and people will learn—especially what not to do.” The personal revelation offered a rare glimpse into the philosophy that has shaped Rekha’s guarded yet luminous public persona.
Also Read: Dileep Returns Home to Emotional Reunion With Family After Court Verdict
The restored print of Umrao Jaan—widely considered the pinnacle of Rekha’s career and one of Hindi cinema’s finest period dramas—received a rapturous response from the Jeddah audience unfamiliar with its poetic grandeur. Based on Mirza Hadi Ruswa’s 1899 Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada, the film earned Rekha the National Award for Best Actress in 1982 and remains celebrated for Khayyam’s haunting ghazals, Asha Bhosle’s soul-stirring vocals, and Rekha’s career-defining portrayal of a Lucknow tawaif navigating love, betrayal, and artistry.
The Red Sea Film Festival, rapidly establishing itself as a vital bridge between Arab and South Asian cinema, has previously honoured Bollywood royalty, including Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Aamir Khan. Rekha’s inclusion in this elite circle underscores her enduring global resonance and the universal appeal of her craft. Festival director Mohammed Al Turki praised her as “a living legend whose every frame is poetry,” while attendees described the evening as one of the festival’s most magical moments.
As the event continues through December 15, Rekha’s graceful presence, poetic words, and the timeless beauty of Umrao Jaan have reaffirmed cinema’s power to transcend borders and generations. For an artist who has long let her work speak louder than interviews, the Jeddah ovation served as a resounding reminder that some legends need only one look—and one film—to conquer hearts worldwide.
Also Read: Dhurandhar Shows Strong Hold, Crosses ₹110 Crore in India