Director Umesh Mehra, in a recent interview, talked about how he cast Rekha in his 1996 film Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi.
Bollywood in the 1990s was no stranger to larger‑than‑life villains, but nothing prepared audiences for Rekha’s electrifying turn as Madame Maya in Akshay Kumar starrer Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996). But do you know how director Umesh Mehra pulled off this casting coup?
The filmmaker spilled the beans on it in a recent interview with Dinesh Raheja for Rediff. He recalled that while he was abroad, the role was initially suggested for Mita Vashisht, a talented FTII graduate. Costume designer Bhanu Athaiya even prepared elaborate outfits for her.
However, when Mehra returned and saw Mita in costume, he knew something was missing.
The director recounted, “When I came back and I saw her in costume, I said, ‘We are going to be drowned. No way can she carry Madame Maya! I told my producers, ‘Look, there’s only one person in this world who can do this role- Rekha.’ Can you believe, I gave Rekha the narration on Bandra Bandstand inside my car?”
When one talks about Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi, the conversation feels incomplete without mentioning its most daring highlight- the song ‘In The Night No Control’ picturized on Akshay Kumar and Rekha.
On being asked whether it was challenging to film sensual scenes between them in this song, Mehra said, “Not as far as the actors were concerned. They were very keen to do it. I will give credit to both Rekha and Akshay who came up with all these little touches. They were very creative.”
Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi also features Raveena Tandon in a leading role. The film revolves around Akshay (Akshay Kumar), an army officer whose search for his missing brother draws him into the ruthless underworld of Madame Maya (Rekha), a powerful gangster running illegal wrestling.
