By Subhash K Jha
Wednesday, 05 May , 2004, 11:09


Finally Rekha breaks her silence. In a major conversational coup,
Simi Garewal has finally convinced the ultra-reclusive Rekha to
appear on the prestigious and classy talk-show Rendezvous With Simi
Garewal.

Rekha who has never appeared on satellite television, not even to
promote her films, was coaxed out by the enterprising Simi.

The 90-minute talkathon in two parts, runs through Rekha's entire
life from childhood. About 20 minutes of precious playing time is
devoted to her talking about her favourite subject: Amitabh Bachchan
and the impact that he has on her own life.

Says Simi, "This is going to be my 110th episode and it was one of my
toughest ones. We go through Rekha`s transition from childhood to
adolescence when she joined movies, them adulthood marriage,
widowhood, then the influence of Mr Bachchan and her search for her
father."

It will be telecast on 5 and 13 June. "Rekha has constantly refused
to come on television. And at the end of my Rendezvous she says this
is her only interview and it will be her only one. I've known Rekha
for 20 years. The very first television interview that I ever did was
the very first (and last) TV interview that she ever did, and that
was for Doordarshan's It's A Woman's World. The show was ahead of its
times too glamorous."

As the current series of Rendezvous come to an end, Simi has every
reason to feel satisfied with the rapid progress that her show made.

"People do want it to go on. I haven't decided what to do. But let me
tell you, I've enjoyed every moment of the seven-year experience.
Specially memorable have been my interviews with the Bachchans,
individually and as a family. Interviewing the whole Bachchan family
together was a unique experience. They had never been seen together
on television before. I also loved interviewing A.R Rahman, Waheeda
Rehman, and most recently Dev Anand. I've learnt something from
everybody I've interviewed."

Rendezvous With Simi Garewal has changed the way we look at cleb chat
shows.

Simi laughs, "I suppose you're right. When colleagues start doing
their shows like yours, obviously the style has worked. It's very
flattering. But I must tell you Rendezvous isn't just a talk show.
For example Dev Anand's interview was a whole life on TV. My actual
work begins after my guest is gone. Then begins the real job of
editing the precious thoughts together."

Does it help being a colleague to many guests?

"Not at all. It makes it more difficult. I know the guest. But how do
I project him or her to viewers? I much prefer to talk to people I've
never met. I started the show in 1997. Believe me, I've changed so
much as a human being. I've learnt the most from Dev Anand. He has
taught me how to deal with my life. Now I speak to him regularly. I'm
not going to lose him. He's one of his kind."

It's almost become a status symbol to be on Rendezvous. The hostess
with the mostest laughs.

"I'm glad if people think so. I've worked really hard on the
selection of guests and the quality of the show. I am not ready to
compromise on these at any cost."

And now as Rendezvous With Simi Garewal completes 100 episodes Star
Plus will throw an exclusive party on June 12, exclusively for
Rendezvous guests. Tarun Tahilani is designing the ballroom in white.
Part of the Rendezvous set will be recreated at the venue. Each
invitation card will be handmade. The food and wine will be top-of-
the-line.


FROM

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id=13468547&headline=Rekha~makes~her~first~TV~appearance~