NEW DELHI: Veteran actor Waheeda Rehman will be the recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, as announced by Anurag Thakur, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting. She is just the fifth actress to be bestowed with the honour after Devika Rani (the first recipient), Ruby Myers aka Sulochana, Madhu Khote and Asha Parekh.
Waheeda made her acting debut in 1955 with the Telugu film Rojulu Maraayi and appeared in dance numbers in the Tamil films Kaalam Mari Pochu and Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum before making a stellar Hindi cinema debut with the Dev Anand-starrer CID (1956).
With CID, Waheeda created a long-standing working relationship with both Dev Anand and Guru Dutt that led to iconic films like Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam, Guide, Chaudvin ka Chaand, Solva Saal, and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, all films that have stood the test of time.
Known for her versatility and desire to play strong roles, Waheeda made a lasting impression in her films. Even in her second coming as an actor playing motherly and supporting roles, she played characters with substance.
An impressive facet of her career has been her consistent pursuit of redefining stardom for a newer generation of audiences. Be it through her roles in films like Reshma Aur Shera, Kabhie Kabhie, and Trishul in the 70s, Namak Halaal, Mashaal, Coolie, and Chandni in the 80s, Lamhe in the 90s, Rang De Basanti and Delhi 6 in the 2000s, Vishwaroopam 2 in 2010s, and even recently in the Netflix film, Skater Girl (2021), Waheeda played distinct roles in important films catering to a wide generation of audience and through many formats of storytelling.
Lauded for showcasing a natural style of acting in her films, Waheeda has already been honoured with a National Award (for her performance in the 1971 film Reshma Aur Shera), a Padma Shri (1972), and a Padma Bhushan (2011).
A fiercely private person, Waheeda was married to actor Kamaljeet, who passed away in 2000.