Throwback! When Vidhu Vinod Chopra revealed how Amitabh Bachchan requested him that if he could bring his ‘friend’ Rekha to a screening.
Published: September 6, 2025 12:08 PM IST
Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha’s alleged romance has dominated headlines for decades. The speculations which started in 1976, raised many eyebrows and stirred controversy. With Big B already married, Rekha was tagged ‘another woman,’ making it one of the most talked-about affairs in Bollywood’s history.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra recalls meeting Amitabh Bachchan
Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Amitabh Bachchan had collaborated in Eklavya: The Royal Guard. However, their first interaction happened much before that in 1977, on the sets of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s film Alaap. The film featured Big B along with Rekha. Chopra was there on the sets and wanted to show his first-ever film to Mr. Bachchan. He had booked a private screening of the film.
Sharing the details of his first-ever meetup with the actor, Vidhu Vinod Chopra recalled in a throwback interview with News 18, “I told everyone that I had booked the screening place untiil 5 p.m., and the film could be watched only then. Now, Amitabh, Hrishi da, and Rekha are all busy working and I notice there’s some argument happening.”
Chopra then soon began to worry that Big B won’t be able to make it to the screening. “Around 4, I started to feel that he wouldn’t get the time to watch my film. A little while later, I left. I was sitting outside, and I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Amitabh Bachchan. He asked, ‘You have the booking till 5? Let’s go.” He said.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra shares Amitabh Bachchan’s request to bring Rekha along
However, before going to the screening, Bachchan asked him for a favour. “He asked if he could bring a friend along with him, and the friend was Rekha,” Chopra revealed. “He was angry because of the argument earlier, and we all got into the famous trailer.” He concluded.
Well, after the screening, Bachchan was so impressed by Chopra’s work that he decided to collaborate with him. But destiny had its own way. Chopra grabbed the opportunity to work with Doordarshan, as he was offering him Rs 5000 and a chauffeur-driven car. The budding filmmaker didn’t hesitate before refusing Big B’s proposal.
