Manish Malhotra Reveals Missed Opportunity to Cast Rekha in 'Gustaakh Ishq'

As of November 17th, 2025, the legendary actress Rekha remains an iconic figure in the Indian entertainment industry, known for her impactful film choices and off-screen presence. While Rekha is often spotted at various events and seen supporting her friends and their movies, her fans have been eagerly awaiting her return to the silver screen.

In a recent development, Rekha's long-time friend and designer Manish Malhotra has disclosed that he had considered casting the veteran actress in a cameo role for his production 'Gustaakh Ishq', which stars Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Sheikh, along with Naseeruddin Shah. However, the film's team felt that the part was too small for Rekha's caliber. Vibhu Puri, the director of 'Gustaakh Ishq', explained that they wanted to offer Rekha a more substantial role befitting her stature, rather than a minor part.

Interestingly, Vijay Varma revealed that Rekha had expressed her desire to work with him, saying, "Hum log saath mein kab kaam karenge, Vijay?" Manish Malhotra also shared his wish to cast Rekha in a future project, stating that he would love for the legendary actress to be a part of a film produced by him, provided the script challenges her and does justice to her immense talent and experience.

Despite the missed opportunity in 'Gustaakh Ishq', Rekha's fans remain hopeful that the iconic actress will soon make a comeback to the big screen, with the right role that showcases her unparalleled acting prowess.