Waheeda Rehman has turned 82 today. She inspired us when she danced to Aaj fir jeene ki tamanna hai, in ‘Guide’ in the 60s and she continues to inspire us today, when she has turned to wildlife photography and aspires to learn scuba diving!
If there ever was a picture of grace in Hindi cinema with a steely determination behind those soft doe eyes, it is Waheeda Rehman. Asked about his favourite co-star once, Amitabh Bachchan had said, whether as his leading lady (Kabhie-Kabhie) or as his mother (Trishul, Adalat, Namak Halal), it is Waheeda Rehman.
Through her choice of unconventional roles back then (as Rosie in ‘Guide’ who elopes with another man despite being married) and in her personal life, she has inspired generations of women to challenge social stigmas when it comes to marriage and career choice and follow the heart’s calling. All this without any over the top verbosity, fiery dialogues or dramatic acting, only quiet grace, elegance and eyes that speak a hundred words.
Veteran singer Anup Jalota greeted the legendary actress on her birthday and wrote: “Many Happy Returns of the day to the Most Graceful and Elegant of the entire Hindi Film Industry #WaheedaRehman. May God maintains your Beautiful Smile and bless you with Great Health.”
Actor Randeep Hooda wrote: ” A rocking birthday to #WaheedaRehman ji .. by far my favourite got know of her love for the wild .. here’s wishing for a wildlife photography safari with her is someone listening.”
Born on February 3 1938, in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, Rehman started her career with the 1955 Telugu film, ‘Rojulu Marayi.’ She made her Bollywood debut as a heroine a year later in ‘CID’, starring Dev Anand.
Her notable performances in Bollywood include ‘Pyaasa’ (1957), ‘Kaagaz Ke Phool’ (1959), ‘Kala Bazar’ (1960), ‘Chaudhvin Ka Chand’ (1960), ‘Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam’ (1962), ‘Bees Saal Baad’ (1962), ‘Guide’ (1965), ‘Teesri Kasam’ (1966), ‘Ram Aur Shyam’ (1967), ‘Neel Kamal’ (1968), ‘Baazi’ (1968), ‘Khamoshi’ (1969), ‘Prem Pujari’ (1970), ‘Reshma Aur Shera’ (1971), ‘Adalat’ (1976), ‘Kabhie Kabhie’ (1976) and ‘Trishul’ (1978).
Rehman received the Padma Bhushan in 2011. She won a National Award for her role in ‘Reshma Aur Shera’, besides numerous popular awards.
