By Subhash K Jha

Rekha is not in the mood to speak out about the various controversies surrounding her next release Yatra.

"Why this film? I never speak about my films. By talking about an issue, we tend to trivialize it. However I've my own take on the publicity of a film.

Every time a film comes along the people behind it talk about how different it is from the run-of-the-film. It's the hamburger culture from the West. But I don't believe movies are a product.

You aren't selling emotions, you're sharing emotions. Our Indian way of looking at emotions is different. I don't think I need to stand on a podium and say what kind of performance I've given in Yatra or any other film."

She refuses to comment on all the controversies that have mushroomed around her presence in the film. "I won't waste a single moment justifying my behaviour or defending myself. Other people can say and do what they like.

All I can say is, empty vessels make the most noise. And I'm anything but empty. But I won't let people fire their guns from my shoulder. Yatra definitely isn't one of those films where everyone needs to scream at the top of one's voice to make an impact.

Every film I do is mine. Baqi jo controversies hain about gana, naach...are so futile. These controversies are being created for me to retaliate. I won't fall into the trap. Since Nana Patekar won't talk, I won't talk, news has to be created somehow. I truly believe a film should speak for itself. I won't talk. "

Rekha says she has a small role in Yatra...almost a guest star. "I hope I was not a bin bulaya guest," she chuckles. "No I'm not a guest in Yatra. I always believe every film and every unit I work in is my baby and my family. I've no complaints. Koi gila nahin koi shikwa nahin."

So is Rekha trying to enhance her mystical image by refraining from coming out for publicity. "Do you really think one can create an enigmatic aura by staying away from the limelight. What about Nargis?

She was visible everywhere from cinema to politics. And yet what mystique she conveyed! To this day she's an enigma to everyone including her own husband and children. Sanju (Dutt) remembers Nargisji only for the love that she showered on him and he gave back to her unconditionally.

Beyond that he knows nothing about her. I am certainly not out to create an image by not talking about my film."

What if people perceive her to be eccentric? "What's wrong with that? If a few eccentric people find me eccentric I don't mind."