Rekha steals the spotlight at Umrao Jaan re-release: The evergreen actress kisses AR Rahman, dances with Anil Kapoor - See photos

Rekha turned heads and hearts at the grand re-release screening of her iconic film Umrao Jaan, proving once again why she remains Bollywood royalty. From greeting guests with grace to sharing unforgettable moments with AR Rahman and Anil Kapoor, the legendary actress lit up the evening as her 1981 classic gears up for a fresh run in cinemas—now digitally restored in stunning 4K.The star-studded evening began with the arrival of celebrities like Mira Rajput, Anil Kapoor, AR Rahman, Hema Malini, Talat Aziz, Muzaffar Ali, Ila Arun, Raj Babbar, and Mahima Chaudhry. With the event just getting underway, many more familiar faces from the industry are expected to join the celebration.Check out the photos here:Pic: Yogen ShahRekha charmed the crowd as she posed gracefully, greeting with both Namaste and Salaam. Dressed in a stunning gold and white ensemble reminiscent of her Umrao Jaan character, she truly embodied timeless elegance. In a heartwarming moment, she kissed AR Rahman while he took a selfie with her, and later shared a joyful dance with Anil Kapoor during his welcome.Umrao Jaan, preserved by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the National Film Archive of India (NFAI), is set to return to theatres on June 27, 2025. The timeless classic is celebrated for Rekha’s iconic performance and its poignant tale of a young girl sold to a kotha in Lucknow, who rises to fame as a renowned courtesan and poetess.Directed by Muzaffar Ali, the cult classic Umrao Jaan will be re-released in PVR Inox cinemas across India. While initially set for a limited screen release, the film may expand to more theatres depending on audience response and box office demand.The Rekha-starrer Umrao Jaan will face stiff competition at the box office as it re-releases alongside Kajol’s MAA, Brad Pitt’s F1, and the Akshay Kumar–Vishnu Manchu film Kannappa. With such a diverse lineup, it will be interesting to see how this timeless classic fares against contemporary heavyweights.