The spotlight is back on Bollywood’s most talked-about triangle — Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, and Rekha. Veteran journalist Pooja Samanta has reignited the debate, claiming that Jaya once invited Rekha to her home and firmly reminded her, “I am the real Mrs. Bachchan.”
In the 1970s, the alleged closeness between Amitabh and Rekha was the industry’s hottest scandal. Though Amitabh was married, gossip about his chemistry with Rekha on sets created a storm of speculation. According to Pooja, while attraction may have existed, it was never love because Amitabh was already committed to Jaya.
The saga only intensified when Rekha appeared at Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh’s wedding wearing sindoor, shifting all the attention from the bride and groom. Rumors also claimed Rekha turned vegetarian just to impress Amitabh.
Out of the trio, Rekha has been the only one to openly speak. In her famous 2004 Rendezvous with Simi Garewal interview, she admitted, “Of course I am in love with him.” Yet she denied a personal relationship, insisting it was admiration. Amitabh has stayed silent, while Jaya has rarely commented — except once, saying that if Amitabh and Rekha ever worked together again, it would create more “sensation than actual work.”
Film historians also recall Jaya inviting Rekha for lunch at her home and making it clear that she would always remain Mrs. Bachchan. After this, Amitabh and Rekha reportedly stopped working together.
Recently, Rekha revisited her memories on The Great Indian Kapil Show, recalling a dance from the film Suhaag: “Even if I didn’t know dandiya, performing opposite a man like him automatically brought out the best in me.”
Decades later, the Amitabh-Jaya-Rekha saga still refuses to fade — a reminder of how Bollywood’s most glamorous love triangle became part of cinematic legend.