*Rekha On Qila*
“I almost started my career with the Mehras. I worked in films like Elaan and Khoon Khoon when Umesh Mehra, the director of Qila was still a trainee. I have done films like Jaal and Khiladiyon Ke Khiladi with Umesh as the director. Umesh came to me with this subject called Qila. There were no questions asked about the significance of my role, about the length of my role, about what good it would do for me. Working with the Mehras was like working for your own family. And then tell me which actress would give up a God-sent opportunity of working with the Dilip Kumar? I said yes to everything Umesh said even though I knew Dilip Sahab was going to hold the fort (qila) throughout the film. But I also knew I would have my moments because no director will take Rekha just because he wanted a big heroine.
“It wasn’t a film I was working in. It was like a family working together. Dilip Sahab was the head of the family. Umesh Mehra, Mukul Dev, Smita Jaykar and I were a part of the family. You don’t have to make your presence felt in your own family. You are there whenever the family needs you. I was there whenever needed. I will stand by the film at all times. It is my film even though it is not my film as an actress. It is a Dilip Kumar show, undoubtedly. And that new actor Mukul Dev and Smita Jaykar are absolutely brilliant. Mark my words, they will go very far. Umesh Mehra is a big director now and I hope Qila takes him several steps higher. He has worked hard. The family has stood by him. Every film has so many ambitions, so many dreams and plans depending on it. Qila has its share too. I have had more than my share. But I hope the rest of the family prospers after this film.”
Source: expressindia.com