Now Reading: Amitabh Bachchan called Rekha move-in rumours a ‘big joke’
-
01
Amitabh Bachchan called Rekha move-in rumours a ‘big joke’
Amitabh Bachchan, in a 1999 interview with Bhawana Somaaya for her book 'Amitabh Bachchan: The Legend', addressed persistent rumours about his alleged affair with co-star Rekha. Bachchan said if the media had 'unchallenged proof' he would respond, but otherwise staying silent was best. He called a rumour that Rekha had moved into his home Pratiksha 'damaging and misleading', and said gullible readers mistook photographs as proof.
In a separate appearance on Simi Garewal's talk show, Bachchan dismissed any close personal relationship with Rekha, saying they had 'nothing in common socially' and had not worked together in 'donkey's years'. He described claims that he had moved in with her as 'a big joke'. Rekha, in a 2004 interview with Garewal, said she was 'completely, passionately, insanely' in love with Bachchan.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Both Indian Express and Times of India report the same facts from Bachchan's 1999 interview and his Simi Garewal show appearance, with near-identical quotes. The coverage is uniform straight reporting, with no editorial framing beyond what Bachchan himself said. Neither outlet adds context about the Emergency-era boycott that Indian Express's longer version notes. The only difference is that Times of India includes Rekha's 2004 declaration of love, which Indian Express also mentions. No outlet takes a stance on the rumours, they simply reproduce Bachchan's denials and Rekha's contrary statement.
The story ends on Rekha's own words from 2004, leaving the reader with her unqualified admiration and Bachchan's blanket denial.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): indianexpress.com (neutral report), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
