Waheeda Rehman

Born on 3 February 1938 in Chengalpet, Tamil Nadu, Waheeda Rehman emerged from a modest Deccani Muslim family to become one of the most revered figures in Hindi cinema. Raised as the youngest of four daughters, she was trained in Bharatanatyam and attended St. Joseph's Convent in Visakhapatnam before the early death of her father forced her to abandon a childhood dream of becoming a doctor. Leveraging her classical dance skills, she entered the film world with the Tamil colour classic Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum and the Telugu drama Rojulu Marayi (1955), quickly catching the eye of legendary director Guru Dutt. Dutt’s mentorship led to iconic collaborations such as Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), and the timeless masterpiece Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962), each cementing her reputation for nuanced, soulful performances. Her breakthrough role as Rosie in Vijay Anand’s Guide (1965) earned her the first Filmfare Best Actress award, while her later work in Neel Kamal (1968) and Reshma Aur Shera (1971) secured a National Film Award and further critical acclaim. Over five decades, she transitioned gracefully to supporting roles, appearing in Yash Chopra’s Kabhie Kabhie (1976), Chandni (1989), and contemporary projects like Water (2005) and Rang De Basanti (2006), demonstrating an enduring versatility that resonated across generations.

Beyond the silver screen, Waheeda is a committed philanthropist, championing education and serving as an ambassador for RangDe, an organisation fighting poverty in India. Her personal life has been marked by a long marriage to actor‑producer Shashi Rekhi (1974–2000) and the upbringing of two children, Kashvi and Sohail. Honoured with India’s Padma Shri (1972), Padma Bhushan (2011), and the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2021), her legacy is celebrated not only for cinematic brilliance but also for her dignified presence off‑camera, embodying the rare blend of artistic excellence and humanitarian spirit.