Waheeda Rehman, Actor
Actor

Waheeda Rehman

Born 3 February 1938 · Tamil Nadu

Winning the National Film Award for Best Actress for the film 'Reshma Aur Shera' in 1971.

Waheeda Rehman is an Indian actress. Regarded as one of the greatest and most accomplished actresses of Hindi cinema, she has appeared in more than 90 feature films, in a career spanning over five decades. Her accolades include a National Film Award and three Filmfare Awards. She was honoured with India's civilian awards, the Padma Shri in 1972 and the Padma Bhushan in 2011.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Waheeda Rehman abandoned her childhood dream of becoming a doctor after her father's death in 1951, turning to acting to support her family financially.

The Story

1
In 1955, Waheeda Rehman transitioned from classical Bharatanatyam dance performances in Hyderabad to her acting debut in the Telugu film Rojulu Marayi, marking her entry into Indian cinema.
2
🌟 By 1957, Waheeda had captured attention in Guru Dutt's Pyaasa, a film that redefined her career and showcased her ability to blend intense emotion with grace on screen.
3In 1965, her role in Guide earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress, a nod to her nuanced portrayal in a film adapted from R.K. Narayan's novel and produced by Navketan Films.
4Waheeda won the National Film Award for Best Actress in 1971 for Reshma Aur Shera, where she played a clanswoman entangled in a tragic crime drama with Sunil Dutt.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Waheeda Rehman's first role in Hindi cinema was in CID (1956), a thriller that marked her introduction to Bombay film industry under the direction of Raj Khosla and production of Guru Dutt.

🖼️

Through the Years

9 photographs from the archives
Cine star Waheeda Rehman inaugurating the 40th International Film Festival of India in Goa (2009).
Cine star Waheeda Rehman inaugurating the 40th International Film Festival of India in Goa (2009).
2009
Actress Waheeda Rehman lighting the lamp at the 44th International Film Festival of India in Panaji, Goa (2013).
Waheeda Rehman at the opening ceremony of the 44th International Film Festival of India in Goa receiving the Centenary Award (2013).
Waheeda Rehman felicitating Chief Wildlife Warden Shri Ravi Srivastava during a 2015 event.
Waheeda Rehman attending the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre Gala with Helen (2023).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Born in Chingleput, Tamil Nadu
Waheeda Rehman was born to a Deccani Muslim family in Chingleput, which is present-day Chengalpattu in Tamil Nadu, India.
1938
🌟
Other
Father's death alters life course
Her father Mohammed Abdur Rehman died when she was in her early teens, leading Waheeda to give up her dream of becoming a doctor.
1951
⚡
Career
Film debut in Telugu cinema
Waheeda Rehman debuted with the Telugu film Rojulu Marayi, leveraging her Bharatanatyam skills to enter the film industry.
1955
⚡
Career
Breakthrough with Pyaasa
She became widely known for her role in Guru Dutt's Pyaasa, a film that has since become a classic of Hindi cinema.
1957
🏅
Award
Wins Filmfare Best Actress for Guide
Her portrayal in Guide earned Waheeda her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress, solidifying her stardom.
1965
🏅
Award
National Award for Reshma Aur Shera
She won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role as a clanswoman in the crime drama Reshma Aur Shera.
1971
🏅
Award
Received Padma Shri
The Government of India conferred Waheeda Rehman the Padma Shri civilian award for her contributions to arts.
1972
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
She was bestowed with the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, recognizing her enduring cinematic legacy.
2011
📖
Publication
Biography published by Nasreen Munni Kabir
Conversations with Waheeda Rehman, detailing her life and career through interviews, was released by Penguin Books in India.
2014
🏅
Award
Received Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Waheeda Rehman was honored with India's highest cinema award acknowledging her lifetime achievements in film.
2021
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
💡SURPRISING

Despite winning the National Film Award for Reshma Aur Shera in 1971, Waheeda Rehman did not receive a similar award for many standout performances thereafter, reflecting the era's prioritization of male leads.

02 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Her birth in 1938 in Chingleput (now Chengalpattu), Tamil Nadu is often misreported as Hyderabad, illustrating common misconceptions about her origins.

03 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Waheeda Rehman was trained in Bharatanatyam from childhood but refused to perform the acrobatic item numbers popular in her era, sticking to classical dance sequences in films.

No quote recorded for Waheeda Rehman yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Waheeda Rahman on her childhood
More from this archive
Waheeda Rahman on her childhood
01
Waheeda Rahman on her childhood
Waheeda Rehman | Actress | Her Experience in the movie "Guide" (1965)
02
Waheeda Rehman | Actress | Her Experience in the movie "Guide" (1965)
Waheeda Rehman on the differences between Vijay Anand and Dev Anand
03
Waheeda Rehman on the differences between Vijay Anand and Dev Anand
Waheeda Rahman on birth in Madras, growing up as one of four daughters of a Municipal Commissioner
04
Waheeda Rahman on birth in Madras, growing up as one of four daughters of a Municipal Commissioner
Waheeda Rehman, Indian actress speaks about her early days in Bollywood
05
Waheeda Rehman, Indian actress speaks about her early days in Bollywood
Waheeda Rehman: Women in Indian Cinema
06
Waheeda Rehman: Women in Indian Cinema
Waheeda Rehman - Biography
07
Waheeda Rehman - Biography
Cinema is not an educational institution: Waheeda Rehman
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Cinema is not an educational institution: Waheeda Rehman
Rendezvous with Waheeda Rehman Part 1 (2003)
09
Rendezvous with Waheeda Rehman Part 1 (2003)
Waheeda Rehman | Actress | Her Experience in the movie "Guide" (1965)
10
Waheeda Rehman | Actress | Her Experience in the movie "Guide" (1965)

🌱 What changed because of them

Waheeda Rehman's seamless integration of classical dance with cinematic expression influenced the portrayal of women in Hindi cinema, inspiring filmmakers to cast dancers in nuanced roles. Her collaborations with Guru Dutt helped define an era of Hindi films that balanced artistic depth with popular appeal. Additionally, her advocacy for education and poverty alleviation through RangDe marks her impact beyond cinema into social philanthropy.

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