'Welcome Back' say fans to possible Amitabh, Rekha onscreen pairing

it would be a casting coup in Bollywood if the makers of ‘Welcome’ manage to rope in the film industry’s most controversial pair to share screen space after a 32-year hiatus.

In an ironic and befitting title, ‘Welcome Back’, director Anees Bazmee has confirmed to the media that they are in talks to re-unite the legendary Amitabh Bachchan and diva Rekha for the sequel to the 2007 comedy.

For those of you who have crawled out from under a rock after nearly three decades of hibernation, the Bollywood star couple courted controversy back in the 1970s with an alleged clandestine affair that had grabbed headlines around the world.

The much married Bachchan was last seen working with Rekha in ‘Silsila’ in 1981, a film which also starred the male actor’s real-life wife, Jaya and narrated the story of a married man indulging in an extramarital affair.

The two veteran actors have worked in 18 films over their career span, however, following the controversy, the duo was never to be seen again on screen together until this latest attempt by Bazmee.

The director was quoted by newspaper, Times of India, confirming this current development, stating that Bachchan has been approached to play a Mafia Don in the sequel, reprising the role of the late Feroz Khan in ‘Welcome’.

He was quoted further as saying: “Producer Firoz Nadiadwala has bounced it off Rekhaji too. I have yet to meet both of them, which I plan to do in the next seven-eight days.”

However, it remains to be seen whether this casting coup will succeed after several rumours in the past, the last being 2008’s talk of Walt Disney Productions’ plans to rope in the two to play husband and wife in ‘Marma Yogi’, a period drama, alongside Kajol.

While both, Bachchan and wife Jaya have been quoted in the past that they have no qualms working with Rekha, a film has never materialised.
Fans, however, are excited with several taking to Twitter to enthuse about the possible on-screen pairing.

Back in the late ’70s, the Bachchan-Rekha pairing gave hit films such as ‘Mr Natwarlal’, ‘Khoon Pasina’, ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikander’, amongst others.
A little Bollywood snippet: both Rekha and ‘ Silsila’ director Yash Chopra have been quoted in the media over the past 30 years, confirming the alleged love affair; Bachchan has always remained mum on the subject.
 

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