Mumbai: As veteran actor Rekha celebrated her 72nd birthday on October 10, fashion designer Anjali Phougat reflected on what has made her a style and screen icon across generations. For Anjali, Rekha’s appeal has always gone beyond beauty.
“For me, Rekha ji represents much more than beauty,” she said.
What Anjali admired most was the actor’s ability to reinvent herself without losing her individuality. “She represents grace, reinvention, individuality, and inner strength,” she added.
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Oct 16, 2026That individuality was clearly reflected in Rekha’s fashion choices. Her Kanjeevaram sarees, statement jewellery, rich colours, and distinctive makeup became an integral part of the image she built over the years. “She has created a visual identity that is completely her own,” Anjali said.
According to her, what made Rekha’s style different was that she never followed fashion simply for the sake of trends. “What makes her timeless is that she never seems to follow fashion simply for the sake of trends,” she said.
Instead, Rekha always seemed to understand what suited her and used fashion to express who she was. Even after decades in the industry, she continued to carry an air of mystery, dignity, and confidence. “That authenticity is what makes her an enduring icon,” Anjali added.
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Oct 16, 2026Among Rekha’s many performances, Umrao Jaan remained particularly special to Anjali. “Umrao Jaan has always stayed with me,” she said.
She felt Rekha brought an unusual depth and vulnerability to the character. “It felt far beyond a performance,” she added.
Anjali was also drawn to the way Rekha communicated emotions without saying much. “Her eyes, expressions, voice, and body language communicated emotions without needing to say much,” she said.
As a fashion designer, Anjali also viewed the film through the lens of styling. For her, the costumes and jewellery did not overpower the character but became an essential part of the storytelling. “Everything about her appearance complemented the character rather than overwhelming it,” she said.
That balance was also what Anjali admired about Rekha’s overall screen presence. She was fascinated by the actor’s ability to command attention without appearing to seek it. “Her ability to command attention without asking for it fascinates me,” she said.
Rekha’s sarees, jewellery, expressions, voice, and posture came together to create what Anjali described as an “unmistakable visual language.”
As someone who worked in fashion, Anjali believed Rekha’s biggest style lesson was simple. “The most powerful style is the one that reflects who you are rather than simply what is trending,” she said.
Rekha took traditional Indian fashion and made it glamorous and relevant across generations, all while preserving what made her style distinctly her own.
“Her relationship with fashion feels personal, not manufactured,” Anjali concluded.
