Actor Shekhar Suman, who received his debut film offer merely two weeks after arriving in Mumbai from Patna, reminisced about his experiences working alongside the renowned actress Rekha. During an interview, Shekhar praised Rekha's professionalism, noting her lack of complaint regarding the numerous intimate scenes they filmed together in the sensual drama "Utsav." He highlighted a particularly striking instance of her dedication: despite her home undergoing an income tax raid, she chose to stay on set without any fuss.

In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Shekhar described Utsav as an incredibly unique opportunity in the annals of Indian cinema. Within just 15 days, he was offered a role in the film, before he even had the chance to unpack his suitcases. Within two months, he found himself on set, acting alongside Rekha. Shekhar expressed enduring gratitude to Shashi Kapoor, Girish Karnad, Rekha, and all involved for the opportunity.

He continued by expressing admiration for her professionalism, recalling a significant income tax raid on the first day of shooting. While many actors might have abandoned the project, she remained resolute, asserting, "Let them do their job, I'll stay and do mine." He feared the worst—that she would leave, leading to the cancellation of the film and the shattering of his dreams. However, Rekha never displayed any tantrums on set, even during intimate scenes. Unlike some other actresses, she never imposed restrictions on physical contact in those moments, demonstrating her unwavering professionalism. He concluded by expressing eternal gratitude towards her.

Shekhar reflected on his career trajectory post-Utsav, expressing that despite working with renowned actresses in numerous films, the quality roles gradually diminished, prompting him to take a step back. However, he emphasized the significance of destiny, choosing to focus on his achievements rather than lamenting over what he perceived as his due. From humble beginnings in Patna, he marveled at the opportunity to collaborate with industry legends. Transitioning to television, Shekhar found success hosting the acclaimed talk show Movers and Shakers, along with appearing in several popular sitcoms. Excitingly, audiences can anticipate his upcoming role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Netflix series, "Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar."