Rekha attended the event on December 7, drawing an overwhelming response from festival delegates, international filmmakers, and audiences. The Treasures Strand showcases restored classics that have shaped cinematic history, and Umrao Jaan was presented in its newly restored 4K version, released earlier this year. Director Muzaffar Ali attended the screening, where the artistic team also acknowledged the late music composer Khayyam and his family.
The packed auditorium welcomed Rekha with sustained applause. Speaking briefly after receiving the honour, the actor reflected on her journey and the philosophy that guided her career. “I am not a very talkative person. Even Umrao Jaan’s dialogues expressed what my eyes felt,” she said. Rekha dedicated the recognition “to my fans, friends, and family,” adding that she believes “everything happens not through words, but only through love — silent love.”
Festival Artistic Director Finn Halligan praised Rekha as “not just Indian cinema, but its identity,” noting her ability to reinvent herself through films such as Khoobsurat, Khoon Bhari Maang, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Ijaazat, Lajja and Zubeida. Her voice, expressions and craft, he added, have made her “a living legend of acting.”
Released on January 2, 1981, Umrao Jaan remains one of Rekha’s most celebrated performances, earning her the National Award for Best Actress. The film’s return to an international festival platform underscores its enduring influence and the continued global appeal of Rekha’s work.
