Trivia Tuesday: Did you know Rekha was the voice behind many actresses in Amitabh Bachchan films?

In the glittering world of Bollywood, some talents often remain underappreciated or go unnoticed by the mainstream audience. One such fascinating aspect of the industry is the work of voice dubbing, where actors lend their voices to enhance the performance of their peers. A notable instance of this is the legendary actress Rekha, who has not only graced the silver screen with her enchanting performances but also contributed her voice to several iconic films, particularly those featuring Amitabh Bachchan.
Rekha's voice in 'Sooryavansham'
While 'Sooryavansham' is remembered for Amitabh Bachchan's dual roles and the stellar performances of actors like Kader Khan, Anupam Kher, Jayasudha, and Soundarya, there's an intriguing behind-the-scenes detail that many might not be aware of. Rekha, a stalwart of Indian cinema, provided the voice for not one but two actresses in the film. Due to the film being directed by Telugu filmmaker EVV Satyanarayana, it featured actors from the South Indian film industry whose Hindi diction needed refinement. Rekha dubbed for Soundarya, who played the younger Amitabh Bachchan’s wife, and Jayasudha, who portrayed the elder Amitabh Bachchan’s spouse.

Rekha dubbed for Sridevi in ‘Aakhree Raasta’
Rekha's dubbing work is not limited to 'Sooryavansham'. Many media reports state that Rekha’s distinctive, deep, and sensuous voice was used by several prominent actresses over the years. For instance, in 'Aakhree Raasta' where Rekha dubbed for Sridevi. Reportedly, Sridevi who was simply seamless when it came to South Indian dialogues, had troubles with the language Hindi during her starting days. Therefore, in the 1986 movie, headlined by Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha gave voice to the leading lady.
And the saga continues
According to IMDb, Rekha was brought in to complete the dubbing for Neetu Kapoor in ‘Yaarana’ due to her unavailability at the time. Similarly, Rekha stepped into dub for Smita Patil in ‘Waaris’ due to her declining health and untimely death.

Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan: Beyond the screen
Despite the persistent rumors and speculations about Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan's off-screen relationship, the actress has remained unfazed and focused on her craft. Meanwhile, Amitabh Bachchan continues to celebrate milestones with his wife, Jaya Bachchan. As of June 3, 2024, the couple marked their 51st wedding anniversary, a testament to their enduring partnership.