Jab They Met: Jaya and Amitabh Bachchan

New Delhi: This is a love story of two Bollywood stars who tried their hands at politics one after one.Amitabh Bachchan was always a reluctant politician and hung his shoes just after three years of being elected to Lok Sabha. Jaya Bachchan, on the other hand, is a very enthusiastic politician. A member of Samajwadi party, Jaya is presently serving her second term as Rajya Sabha MP.Their tale of romance is nearing four decades now. And just like good wine matures in taste over a period of time, this intense love saga has refined itself and has metamorphosed into an epitome of elegant togetherness.This tale of romance began at Pune Film Institute in early 1970s where Jaya first saw Amitabh. Jaya was a bright student at the Pune Film Institute where one fine day K. Abbas, the famous film director arrived with his group of actors that included Amitabh Bachchan as well.For Jaya, it was love at first sight. It was on the sets of the film `Guddi' where Jaya got a chance to be introduced to Amitabh. Jaya was a superstar at that time and Amitabh was still a struggling actor yet her love was seamless.In an interview Jaya once said, “I was introduced to him on the sets of Guddi. I was impressed by him and somewhat in awe as he was Harivanshrai Bachchan's son. I definitely felt he was different though people laughed at me when I said that. I voiced my feelings and said he's going to make it big, even though I was aware he wasn't the usual stereotype hero. I fell in love with him very soon.”For Amitabh, the sets of movie Ek Nazar proved to be a turning point. He fell for Jaya. But this was just a beginning of what later laid a strong foundation of their timeless relationship.Just like a typical love story, this story also had to face some ups and downs.Rajesh Khanna, who was Jaya's very close friend, never approved of this relationship. He had warned Jaya many times against meeting Amitabh. It is said that when Amitabh used to visit Jaya on the sets of Bawarchi, Rajesh always welcomed him with a royal ignore.Jaya was not happy with Khanna's attitude towards Amitabh.The year 1973 and London played a pivotal role in the beautiful journey that the couple was soon going to undertake. Jaya and Amitabh had planned a trip to London to celebrate Amitabh's film Zanjeer's success. But Amitabh's parents raised concerns over going out with a girl without marriage.Amitabh was more than happy to tie the knot and asked Jaya for her consent. Jaya readily agreed and they got married and left for London the very same day.But destiny had something new in-store for them. In 1976, on the sets of Do Anjane, a new love saga had begun. Amitabh and Rekha had started developing feelings for each other. The sets of `Do Anjane not only marked significant differences in Amitabh and Jaya's married life but also gave a complete reversal to Rakha's career who was till now considered to be only an average looking South Indian actress. After this movie, she entered the league of successful bollywood actresses.During the first few days of their affair, Rekha and Amitabh used to meet in a Bunglow that belonged to Rekha's friend. They tried to keep it a complete hush-hush affair. But this affair came into lighte on the sets of Ganga Ki Saungandh where Amitabh shouted at one of his co-actor who was interrupting Rekha. Amitabh- Rekha affair started making headlines after this incident.Stories of Amitabh and Rekha marrying secretly started doing rounds after Rekha was spotted wearing Sindoor and Mangalsutra at Neetu and Rishi Kapoor's marriage. Silsila was Amitabh and Rekha's last movie together. It was said that the movie was based on the real life love triangle between Rekha, Amitabh and Jaya.After the movie, the couple decided to split realizing that there was no future of their illegitimate relationship.Even after sharing a passionate affair with Rekha, Amitabh chose his marriage over his extra-marital affair.Jaya and Amitabh succeeded in making their marriage a success story despite many hurdles.The intense love that this couple shared has been noticed many times, both on and off screen.Together, they have grown out to be the most admired and adorable couple in Bollywood and Indian politics. Amitabh and Jaya with their kids Abhishek and Shweta.Amitabh and Jaya with their kids.Amitabh and Jaya with son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya at an award function.Amitabh and Jaya with familyAmitabh and Jaya with Amitabh's parentsAmitabh and Jaya with daughter Shweta.Amitabh and Jaya arriving at a function.Amitabh and Jaya having a good time with family.