{{Short description|Indian actress (born 1938)}} {{Use British English|date=September 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Waheeda Rehman | image = Waheeda Rehman in October 2023.jpg | image_caption = Rehman in 2023 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1938|02|03}} | birth_place = Chengalpet, Madras Presidency, British India (present-day Tamil Nadu, India) | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = Actress | years_active = {{hlist|1955–present}} | works = Full list | spouse = {{marriage|Shashi Rekhi|1974|2000|end=died}} | children = 2 | honours = | homepage = | signature = Waheeda Rehman Signature.png }}
'''Waheeda Rehman''' (born 3 February 1938) 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. In 2021 she was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in the field of cinema.
Rehman made her acting debut with the Telugu film ''Rojulu Marayi'' (1955). She rose to prominence by her collaborations with Hindi filmmaker Guru Dutt in the dramas ''Pyaasa'' (1957), ''Kaagaz Ke Phool'' (1959), ''Chaudhvin Ka Chand'' (1960), and ''Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam'' (1962). She received widespread critical acclaim for the romantic drama ''Guide'' (1965), for which she won her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress. She won the award again for her performance in the romantic thriller ''Neel Kamal'' (1968), and additionally earned nominations for her roles in the comedy ''Ram Aur Shyam'' (1967) and the drama ''Khamoshi'' (1969). For portraying a clanswoman in the crime drama ''Reshma Aur Shera'' (1971), she won the National Film Award for Best Actress.
Since the 1970s, Rehman has worked primarily in supporting roles, appearing in Yash Chopra's romantic dramas ''Kabhie Kabhie'' (1976), ''Chandni'' (1989) and ''Lamhe'' (1991), and action films ''Trishul'' (1978) and ''Mashaal'' (1984). Her other notable supporting roles were in the films ''Namkeen'' and ''Namak Halaal'' in 1982. In 1994, she was honoured with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. Following a hiatus, she has worked intermittently, appearing in the social dramas ''Water'' (2005), ''Rang De Basanti'' (2006) and ''Delhi 6'' (2009).
Apart from her acting career, Rehman is a philanthropist. She is an advocate for education and is an ambassador for RangDe, an organisation combating poverty in India.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Anu |date=27 September 2018 |title=How Rang De is using crowdsourcing to make micro loans cheaper |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/money/how-rang-de-is-using-crowdsourcing-to-make-micro-loans-cheaper/articleshow/58509858.cms |access-date=28 September 2023 |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> {{toc limit|3}}
== Early life == Waheeda Rehman was born on 3 February 1938 <ref name="dob12">{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Waheeda-Rehmans-date-issues/articleshow/35143364.cms |title=Waheeda Rehman's date issues |author=Rachana Dubey |date=15 May 2014 |work=The Times of India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914142931/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Waheeda-Rehmans-date-issues/articleshow/35143364.cms |archive-date=14 September 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=15 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="dob22">{{Cite web |url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/people/1447973?c=people |title=Rehman, Waheeda (1936–) |work=National Library of Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518090337/http://trove.nla.gov.au/people/1447973?c=people |archive-date=18 May 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=15 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="dob32">{{Cite web |url=http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/nr96035018.html |title=Rahman, waheeda, 1936 |work=id.loc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518101754/http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/nr96035018.html |archive-date=18 May 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=15 January 2015}}</ref> to a Deccani Muslim family in Chengalpet of present-day Tamil Nadu, India. It is a common misconception that Rehman was born in Hyderabad instead of Tamil Nadu.<ref name="mentor">{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Guru-Dutt-was-my-mentor-Waheeda/articleshow/4687931.cms?referral=PM |title=My Mentor |website=The Times of India |date=23 June 2009 |access-date=17 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127124803/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Guru-Dutt-was-my-mentor-Waheeda/articleshow/4687931.cms?referral=PM |archive-date=27 January 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Her father was Mohammed Abdur Rehman and her mother was Mumtaz Begum, and she was the youngest out of four daughters.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tqfzAgAAQBAJ&q=waheeda+rehman |title=Conversations with Waheeda Rehman |last=Kabir |first=Nasreen Munni |date=15 March 2015 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=9789351186427 |language=en}}</ref> As a child, she and her sisters were trained in Bharatanatyam in Chennai.<ref name="mentor"/> She studied in St. Joseph's Convent in Visakhapatnam when her father was posted there in the then-Madras Presidency. Her father, who worked as a district commissioner, died in 1951 while she was in her early teens.<ref>Gulzar, p. 22</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://waheedarehman1.blogspot.in/2015/08/interview-with-waheeda-rehman.html |title=Interview with Waheeda Rehman<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=6 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305233040/http://waheedarehman1.blogspot.in/2015/08/interview-with-waheeda-rehman.html |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live |date=5 August 2015}}</ref>
Rehman's dream was to become a doctor, but due to her family's circumstances emotionally and financially, alongside her mother's illness, she abandoned her goal. In order to help her family, she accepted movie offers that stemmed from her dancing abilities.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8y8vN9A14nkC&q=Waheeda+Rehman&pg=PT533 |title=Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema |last=Britannica |first=Encyclopedia |date=2003 |publisher=Popular Prakashan |isbn=9788179910665 |language=en}}</ref>
==Acting career==
=== Beginnings and breakthrough === Rehman made her film debut with the Tamil film ''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum'' as a dancer. However, the Telugu film ''Rojulu Marayi'' (1955) released prior to that; where she again performed in a dance.<ref name="Tamil">{{cite news |last1=Nainar |first1=Nahla |title=Waheeda Rehman's Tamil Nadu connect |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/waheeda-rehmans-sister-on-growing-up-with-her-chand/article67353144.ece |access-date=2 May 2024 |work=The Hindu |date=27 September 2023 |language=en-IN}}</ref> The same year, she also played the lead role opposite N. T. Rama Rao in the film ''Jayasimha''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jayasimha (1955) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/blast-from-the-past-jayasimha/article11200310.ece |access-date=2 May 2024 |work=The Hindu |date=14 August 2014 |language=en-IN}}</ref> Subsequently, her cameo appearance in ''Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum'' released in 1956.<ref name="Tamil"/> Based on the folktale ''Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves'', it was the first Tamil film to be colourised.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Modern Theatres |url=https://archive.org/details/Alibabavum40Thirudargalum1956Songbook |title=Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum 1956 Songbook |date=14 January 1956}}</ref> In the mid-1950s, she established a working relationship with Dev Anand wherein they had a number of successful films to their credit which include ''Solva Saal'' (1958). Suresh Kohli of ''The Hindu'' writes on her performance in ''Solva Saal''; "Though barely 20 then and only in her fourth Hindi release, Rehman demonstrates her class: both in serious scenes demanding intensity and through sparkling, mischievous eye movements during lighter moments."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kohli |first=Suresh |date=30 August 2012 |title=Solva Saal (1958) |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/solva-saal-1958/article3839841.ece |access-date=7 August 2019 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
====Collaborations with Guru Dutt==== Rehman's performances caught the eye of Hindi filmmaker Guru Dutt, whom she considered her mentor.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Parkar |first1=Hamida |title=How Guru Dutt Discovered Waheeda Rehman |url=https://indiacurrents.com/how-guru-dutt-discovered-waheeda-rehman/ |access-date=2 May 2024 |work=India Currents |date=20 December 2018}}</ref> Dutt brought her to Bombay (present-day Mumbai) and cast her as Kamini in the crime thriller ''C.I.D.'' (1956). Because of the trend set of the then popular actresses such as Madhubala, Nargis and Meena Kumari, Waheeda was asked to use a stage name, reasoning that her name should be "something sexy", which she refused and continued with her birth name.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/was-a-stubborn-newcomer-in-industry-waheeda-rehman/articleshow/45980487.cms?from=mdr |title=Was a stubborn newcomer in industry: Waheeda Rehman |date=22 January 2015 |work=The Economic Times |access-date=7 August 2019}}</ref> Dutt would next cast her in her first lead role in Hindi films in the drama ''Pyaasa'' (1957), where she portrayed a prostitute. The film was a commercial success, and it has been regarded by critics as one of the greatest films ever made.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 January 2010 |title=BoxOffice India.com |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=163&catName=MTk1Nw== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102005739/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=163&catName=MTk1Nw== |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 January 2010 |access-date=26 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=An |first=Gautam |date=27 November 2014 |title='Pyaasa' (1957) is an Eternal Classic. Here's Why. |url=https://thecinemaholic.com/pyaasa/ |access-date=26 May 2021 |website=The Cinemaholic |language=en-US}}</ref> She continued collaborations with Dutt which include the noir film ''12 O'Clock'' (1958),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Filmfare recommends: Best Bollywood noir films of the '50s |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/filmfare-recommends-best-bollywood-noir-films-of-the-50s_-40059.html |access-date=26 May 2021 |website=filmfare.com |language=en}}</ref> the romantic drama ''Kaagaz Ke Phool'' (1959), and the Muslim social film ''Chaudhvin Ka Chand'' (1960); all of which earned her critical praise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sood |first=Samira |date=16 May 2020 |title=Kaagaz Ke Phool is Guru Dutt's masterclass in filmmaking and heartbreak |url=https://theprint.in/features/kaagaz-ke-phool-is-guru-dutts-masterclass-in-filmmaking-and-heartbreak/421852/ |access-date=26 May 2021 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="chaudhvin ka chand">{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Unnati |title=Waheeda Rehman — the 'chaudhvin ka chand' of Indian cinema who never believed in her beauty |url=https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/waheeda-rehman-the-chaudhvin-ka-chand-of-indian-cinema-who-never-believed-in-her-beauty/820115/ |access-date=2 May 2024 |work=ThePrint |date=3 February 2022}}</ref> Rehman and Dutt's last collaboration was the romantic drama ''Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam'' (1962), which starred Dutt, Meena Kumari, and Rehman herself in a supporting role.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 March 2018 |title=Raise a Glass for the Lady |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/raise-a-glass-for-the-lady-5092875/ |access-date=26 May 2021 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The film was a major success, being lauded by both Indian and international critics.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Anuj |date=1 June 2012 |title=The legend endures |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-legend-endures/article3476550.ece |access-date=7 August 2019 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> This earned Rehman her first Filmfare nomination in the category of Best Supporting Actress,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/366477.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708060818/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/366477.cms |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 July 2012 |title=The Nominations – 1962– The 51st Filmfare Awards |date=8 July 2012 |website=archive.is |access-date=7 August 2019}}</ref> meanwhile the film itself received nominations for the Golden Bear at the 13th Berlin International Film Festival and won the Filmfare Award for Best Film.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2005 |title=Sahib bibi aur ghulam |journal=100 Bollywood Films |doi=10.5040/9781838710538.0089 |isbn=9781838710538 |last1=Alvi |first1=Abrar}}</ref>
===Widespread success=== The actress next ventured into Bengali film-making with Satyajit Ray's film ''Abhijan'' (1962).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/conversations-with-waheeda-rehman-the-endearing-story-of-a-remarkable-actress-book-review-114040900414_1.html |title='Conversations With Waheeda Rehman' : The endearing story of a remarkable actress (Book Review) |last=IANS |date=9 April 2014 |work=Business Standard India |access-date=8 August 2019}}</ref> Following this, she played a murder suspect in ''Baat Ek Raat Ki'' (1962), a girl embroiled in a sibling feud in ''Rakhi'' (1962) and an infertile woman in ''Ek Dil Sau Afsane'' (1963).<ref>{{cite news |title=Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/baat-ek-raat-ki-1962/article2051614.ece |access-date=2 May 2024 |work=The Hindu |date=26 May 2011 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=These 5 Hindi films best depict the essence of Rakhi |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/entertainment/these-five-hindi-films-best-depict-the-essence-of-raksha-bandhan-539717 |access-date=2 May 2024 |work=The Tribune (India)}}</ref> As a leading lady, she was cast opposite many familiar faces of Hindi Cinema; notably, this includes Sunil Dutt in ''Mujhe Jeene Do'' (1962), Nirupa Roy in ''Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya'' (1963) and Biswajit in the horror film ''Kohraa'' (1964), the drama ''Majboor'' (1964), and the psychological-thriller ''Bees Saal Baad'' (1962)—the latter becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film of 1962.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Britannica |first=Encyclopedia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8y8vN9A14nkC&q=Bees+saal+baad+hound+of+baskervilles |title=Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema |date=2003 |publisher=Popular Prakashan |isbn=978-81-7991-066-5 |language=en}}</ref> At the end of 1964, Rehman became the third-highest paid actress in Hindi films.<ref>{{cite news |title=Just Like That {{!}} Waheeda Rehman: The storied life and legacy of an acting legend |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/just-like-that-waheeda-rehman-the-storied-life-and-legacy-of-an-acting-legend-101696072883943.html |access-date=4 April 2024 |work=Hindustan Times |date=30 September 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
====''Guide'' (1965)==== Vijay Anand's magnum opus, the romantic drama ''Guide'' (1965) was an adaptation of the same book written by R. K. Narayan, published in 1958.<ref>{{Cite web |title=rediff.com, Movies: Classics Revisited: Guide |url=https://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/apr/18dinesh.htm |access-date=26 May 2021 |website=www.rediff.com}}</ref> Rehman starred as Rosie, a rebellious, strong-willed wife of an unfaithful archaeologist. She stated that the role proved difficult for her, particularly because it broke several film stereotypes at the time.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 July 2012 |title='Guide' was a challenge for me: Waheeda Rehman |language=en |website=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Guide-was-a-challenge-for-me-Waheeda-Rehman/articleshow/15091077.cms |access-date=8 August 2019}}</ref> ''Guide'' was a major commercial success, emerging as the fifth-highest grossing Hindi film of 1965, and it opened to widespread critical acclaim, with Rehman's performance receiving universal praise. Trisha Gupta of ''Hindustan Times'' writing, "Rosie was triply unusual: a woman who walks out of an unhappy marriage, begins a romantic relationship with a man who isn't her husband, and simultaneously embarks on a successful career as a dancer. She would be an unusual Hindi film heroine even today..."<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 October 2018 |title=60 years of RK Narayan's The Guide: A tale ahead of its time |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/60-years-of-rk-narayan-s-the-guide-a-tale-ahead-of-its-time/story-djxz0t5RZz6ZqK8ftXkcRK.html |access-date=8 August 2019 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> and ranked her performance amongst Indian cinema's greatest. For her performance, Rehman won her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress, and ''Guide'' went on to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film and the Filmfare Award for Best Film. It became India's official entry to the Oscars, though it did not get nominated. It is now considered a cult classic, and is considered Rehman's signature film performance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Time Magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2022076_2022067_2022043,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030233038/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2022076_2022067_2022043,00.html |archive-date=30 October 2010 |website=Time: Guide (1965)}}</ref>
====Continued success==== Rehman's career peak continued when she was paired with other well-established superstars, namely Dilip Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, Raj Kapoor, and Rajesh Khanna. Among her most acclaimed films of the late 1960s include ''Teesri Kasam'' (1966), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film, ''Ram Aur Shyam'' (1967), ''Neel Kamal'' (1968) and ''Khamoshi'' (1969). The last three films earned Rehman consecutive nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress, winning her second award for ''Neel Kamal''.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=The Winners – 1968 |publisher=Filmfare Awards |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/366813.cms |url-status=dead |access-date=15 December 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710162530/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/366813.cms |archive-date=10 July 2012}}</ref> In her highly praised role in ''Khamoshi'' starring alongside Rajesh Khanna and Dharmendra, she plays a nurse who goes mentally insane after falling in love with one of her patients, and eventually is sent to her own mental institution. Other commercial successes of this period were ''Patthar Ke Sanam'' (1967) and ''Aadmi'' (1968). At the end of the 1960s, Rehman ranked a new record amongst herself in becoming the second-paid actress in Hindi films, from 1964 to 1969. She states herself, "For ''Solva Saal'', my first film as a freelancer, I received ₹30,000. The highest I ever earned in my career was Rs. 7 lakh for a film."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Trisha |title=In her own name |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blink/watch/in-her-own-name/article8223891.ece |access-date=8 August 2019 |website=@businessline |date=12 February 2016 |language=en}}</ref>
====''Reshma Aur Shera'' (1971)==== For headlining Sunil Dutt's film ''Reshma Aur Shera'' (1971), Rehman won the National Film Award for Best Actress, which is India's equivalent to the Academy Award for Best Actress.<ref name="masala">{{cite news |title=Amitabh Bachchan completes 52 years in Bollywood, here are his most underrated performances |url=https://www.masala.com/movies/amitabh-bachchan-completes-52-years-in-bollywood-here-are-his-most-underrated-performances-329953 |work=Masala.com |date=16 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928040641/https://www.masala.com/movies/amitabh-bachchan-completes-52-years-in-bollywood-here-are-his-most-underrated-performances-329953 |archive-date=28 September 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Reshma Aur Shera'' earned critical appreciation, Dutt was nominated for the Golden Bear at the 22nd Berlin International Film Festival and was selected as the Indian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film,<ref name="masala" /> but the film failed at the box office.<ref>{{cite news |title=When Sunil Dutt Decided To Reshoot This Film And Landed In Rs 60 Lakh Debt |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/when-sunil-dutt-decided-to-reshoot-this-film-and-landed-in-rs-60-lakh-debt-8012395.html |work=News18 |date=6 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928042157/https://www.news18.com/movies/when-sunil-dutt-decided-to-reshoot-this-film-and-landed-in-rs-60-lakh-debt-8012395.html |archive-date=28 September 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
=== Later roles and sporadic work === Rehman began experimenting with roles at this stage of career. She accepted the offer to play a mother to Jaya Bhaduri in ''Phagun'' (1973). In her new innings from the '70s, her successful films include ''Kabhi Kabhie'' (1976), ''Trishul'' (1978), ''Jwalamukhi'' (1980), ''Naseeb'' (1981), ''Namkeen'' (1982), ''Dharam Kanta'' (1982), ''Namak Halaal'' (1982), ''Coolie'' (1983), ''Mashaal'' (1984), ''Chandni'' (1989) and ''Lamhe'' (1991).<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Waheeda Rehman |url=https://www.cinemaazi.com/people/waheeda-rehman |website=Cinemaazi |publisher=Indian Cine Heritage Foundation}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> ''Kabhi Kabhie'', ''Namkeen'', ''Chandni'' and ''Lamhe'' garnered her nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. Film expert Rajesh Subramanian reported that Manmohan Desai had approached Rehman, on behalf of Shammi Kapoor, during the making of ''Naseeb''. In the song "John Jani Janardhan", Kapoor and Rehman make a grand-entry holding hands. Incidentally, this was the first time the two stars appeared together on screen.<ref name=":1" /> After her appearance in ''Lamhe'', she announced a sabbatical from the film industry.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />
thumb|Rehman in 2012|alt=|253x253px Initially, Rehman was supposed to play the role of her frequent co-star Amitabh Bachchan's mother in Karan Johar's ensemble family drama ''Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham'' (2001).<ref name=":1" /> However, after having shot a few scenes, she dropped out of the film due to her husband's death in November 2000; subsequently, her role was then played by Achala Sachdev.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hungama |first=Bollywood |date=24 November 2000 |title=Waheeda Rehman opts out of Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham: : Bollywood News – Bollywood Hungama |website=Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/waheeda-rehman-opts-out-of-kabhi-khushi-kabhi-gham/ |access-date=26 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref> In recent years, she has played motherly roles in ''Om Jai Jagadish'' (2002), ''Water'' (2005), ''15 Park Avenue'' (2005), ''Rang De Basanti'' (2006) and ''Delhi 6'' (2009), all of which earned her critical acclaim.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />
In 2011, she was honoured by the Government of India with the Padma Bhushan, and in 2013 with the Cenetary Award for Indian Film Personality for her contribution to Indian Cinema. A biography has been written and published in 2014 about Rehman, entitled ''Conversations With Waheeda Rehman'',<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kabir |first=Nasreen Munni |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tqfzAgAAQBAJ |title=Conversations with Waheeda Rehman |date=15 March 2015 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=9789351186427 |language=en}}</ref> which consist of interviews collected by author and director Nasreen Munni Kabir.<ref>{{cite news |title=Looking back at a lifetime |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/looking-back-at-a-lifetime/article5905090.ece |access-date=4 April 2024 |work=The Hindu |date=12 April 2014 |language=en-IN}}</ref>
== Personal life == In April 1974, Waheeda married Shashi Rekhi (also known by his screen name Kamaljeet).<ref>{{cite web|title=Secrets: Unknown Husbands Of Bollywood|url=https://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/secrets-unknown-husbands-of-bollywood-actresses-277717-26.html|website=Indiatimes|date=9 March 2016|publisher=Times Internet Limited|accessdate=11 March 2018|archive-date=12 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312083326/https://www.indiatimes.com/culture/who-we-are/secrets-unknown-husbands-of-bollywood-actresses-277717-26.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> They had worked together in the film ''Shagoon'' (1964). They had two children, Daughter Kashvi and son Sohail. After her marriage, they lived in a farmhouse in Bangalore but after Rekhi's death on 21 November 2000, Waheeda moved back to Bandra, Mumbai, where she currently lives.<ref>{{cite web|title=Exclusive: Waheeda Rehman's Son AR Has A Dream Wedding In Bhutan|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/waheeda-rehman-son-wedding-bhutan-asha-parekh-helen-bhawana-somaaya|website=The Quint|date=15 June 2016 |accessdate=11 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mirror on a Full Moon|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/mirror-on-a-full-moon/290301|website=Outlook India|accessdate=11 March 2018}}</ref>
She is private about her life and seldom speaks about it, as said in an interview at the launch of ''Conversations with Waheeda Rehman'': "I don't want to get into it. My private life should remain private. It is nobody's business. I know we are public figures, so when I fight with my husband, do you want to know about it?"<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 April 2014 |title=My private life nobody's business: Waheeda Rehman on relationship with Guru Dutt |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/my-private-life-nobodys-business-waheeda-rehman-on-relationship-with-guru-dutt/ |access-date=6 August 2019 |website=The Indian Express |language=en-IN}}</ref>
== Artistry and legacy == [[File:Nanda-Waheeda-Helen-Sadhana.jpg|thumb|right|Rehman (second from left) with Nanda, Helen and Sadhana in 2010]] Rehman is regarded as one of the greatest actors of Indian cinema.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Top heroines of Bollywood |work=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/cinema/100-years-of-indian-cinema/photo/top-actresses-of-bollywood-ever-367543-2012-05-01/16 |url-status=live |access-date=24 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128234730/https://www.indiatoday.in/cinema/100-years-of-indian-cinema/photo/top-actresses-of-bollywood-ever-367543-2012-05-01/16 |archive-date=28 November 2020}}</ref> ''Rediff.com'' placed her in their "Bollywood's Best Actresses of all time" list.<ref name="ever">{{cite web |author=Sen, Raja |work=Rediff.com |title=Bollywood's best actresses. Ever |date=6 March 2007 |url=http://specials.rediff.com/women07/2007/mar/06wslid6.htm |access-date=13 March 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309122104/http://specials.rediff.com/women07/2007/mar/06wslid6.htm |archive-date=9 March 2007}}</ref> In 2022, she was placed in ''Outlook India''{{'}}s "75 Best Bollywood Actresses" list.<ref>{{Cite web |title=75 Bollywood Actresses Who Ruled The Silver Screen With Grace, Beauty And Talent |work=Outlook India |date=16 August 2022 |access-date=16 August 2022 |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/75-bollywood-actresses-who-ruled-the-silver-screen-with-grace-beauty-and-talent-news-216694/amp |archive-date=16 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816142138/https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/75-bollywood-actresses-who-ruled-the-silver-screen-with-grace-beauty-and-talent-news-216694/amp |url-status=live }}</ref> One of the highest paid actress of mid- to late 1960s and early 1970s, Rehman appeared in ''Box Office India''{{'}}s "Top Actresses" list from 1958 to 1963 and again topeed the list from 1967 to 1972.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top Actresses |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actress |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104144753/http://boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=top_actress |archive-date=4 January 2012 |access-date=24 April 2020 |work=Box Office India}}</ref> Rehman was placed 3rd in ''Rediff.com''{{'}}s "Best Bollywood Debut Ever" list, for her film ''CID''.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Best Bollywood Debutants Ever |work=Rediff.com |url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/2008/nov/24sd8-best-actresses-ever.htm |url-status=live |access-date=24 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128234730/https://m.rediff.com/movies/2008/nov/24sd8-best-actresses-ever.htm |archive-date=28 November 2020}}</ref> In 2011, they listed her as the fifth-greatest actress of all-time after Nargis, Smita Patil, Nutan and Meena Kumari.<ref>{{cite web |title=Readers Choice: The Greatest Actresses of all time |work=Rediff.com |author=Sen, Raja |access-date=22 September 2011 |date=29 June 2011 |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-greatest-actresses-of-all-time/20110629.htm}}</ref> In 2012, Rehman was placed 9th by ''NDTV'' in its "The Most Popular Actress of All Time" list.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://in.movies.yahoo.com/photos/most-popular-actresses-of-all-time-slideshow/most-popular-actresses-of-all-time-photo-1339488684.html |title=Most popular actresses of all time |date=12 June 2012 |work=Yahoo! India Movies |access-date=12 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615214012/http://in.movies.yahoo.com/photos/most-popular-actresses-of-all-time-slideshow/most-popular-actresses-of-all-time-photo-1339488684.html |archive-date=15 June 2012}}</ref> ''Filmfare'' included Rehman's performances in ''Guide'' in its list of Bollywood's "80 Iconic Performances".<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://tanqeed.com/filmfare-top-80-iconic-performances-old-article-2010/ |title=80 Iconic Performances |journal=Filmfare Via Tanqeed.com |date=4 June 2010 |access-date=27 November 2018}}</ref> Rehman was also placed in ''Times of India''{{'}}s "50 Beautiful Faces" list.<ref>{{cite web |title=Photos – 50 Beautiful Faces: 100 years of Indian Cinema |work=The Times of India |access-date=25 November 2021 |url=https://photogallery.indiatimes.com/movies/100-yrs-of-indian-cinema/50-beautiful-faces-100-years-of-indian-cinema/morphshow/19712979.cms?from=mdr}}</ref>
Devesh Sharma of ''Filmfare'' termed her "dusky danseuse".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Timeless classic: Waheeda Rehman |work=Filmfare |url=https://m.filmfare.com/features/timeless-classic-waheeda-rehman-4648.amp |url-status=live |access-date=12 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128234730/https://m.filmfare.com/features/timeless-classic-waheeda-rehman-4648.amp |archive-date=28 November 2020}}</ref> Arushi Bhaskar of ''Indian Express'' said, "Waheeda Rehman has a rich filmography to her name that reflects the changing ethos of Indian cinema as well as her own talents."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Neel Kamal, a rare Waheeda Rehman film that gloriously fails the test of time |work=Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/neel-kamal-that-rare-waheeda-rehman-film-that-gloriously-fails-the-test-of-time-8422285/lite/ |url-status=live |access-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128234730/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/neel-kamal-that-rare-waheeda-rehman-film-that-gloriously-fails-the-test-of-time-8422285/lite/ |archive-date=28 November 2020}}</ref> Sharla Bazliel of ''India Today'' noted, "Her name means "the unique one" and few actors have had a career, and life, quite like Waheeda Rehman."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Waheeda Rehman: A life wonderful |work=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/total-recall-2014-waheeda-rehman-a-life-wonderful-2397522-2023-06-24 |url-status=live |access-date=26 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128234730/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india-today-insight/story/total-recall-2014-waheeda-rehman-a-life-wonderful-2397522-2023-06-24 |archive-date=28 November 2020}}</ref> Mukul Kesavan of ''The Telegraph'' talked about her work with Guru Dutt and said, "Waheeda Rehman is Hindi cinema's greatest actor but it is a mistake to make that claim, as often happens, on the basis of her work in Guru Dutt's films. Guru Dutt sprinkled her with stardust; as an actor, she made herself."<ref>{{Cite news |title=AN ACTOR OF GENIUS – Waheeda Rehman's best work came after the Guru Dutt phase |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/an-actor-of-genius-waheeda-rehman-s-best-work-came-after-the-guru-dutt-phase/cid/404906 |url-status=live |access-date=28 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128234730/https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/an-actor-of-genius-waheeda-rehman-s-best-work-came-after-the-guru-dutt-phase/cid/404906 |archive-date=28 November 2020}}</ref> Dinesh Raheja of ''Rediff.com'' noted, "Rehman's simple beauty and refreshingly natural style of acting gave her an edge over the carefully-lacquered bouffant brigade of the 1960s."<ref>{{Cite news |title=The simple, understated beauty of Waheeda Rehman |work=Rediff.com |url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/2002/mar/11dinesh.htm |url-status=live |access-date=16 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128234730/https://m.rediff.com/movies/2002/mar/11dinesh.htm |archive-date=28 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Waheeda Rehman's journey from Ganjam to stardom |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2023/sep/28/waheeda-rehmans-journey-from-ganjam-to-stardom-2618963.html |access-date=2023-09-30 |website=The New Indian Express|date=28 September 2023 }}</ref> In 2022, actress Paoli Dam recreated her look from ''Pyaasa'' (1957), on the occasion of 75 years of Independence.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/style/fashion-through-the-decades-brings-to-life-a-bunch-of-defining-looks-spanning-the-40s-to-the-present-day/cid/1879850 |title=Fashion through the decades |work=Telegraph India |access-date=13 August 2022 |archive-date=26 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926074422/https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/style/fashion-through-the-decades-brings-to-life-a-bunch-of-defining-looks-spanning-the-40s-to-the-present-day/cid/1879850 |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Filmography == {{Main|Waheeda Rehman filmography}}
== Awards and honours == [[File:Smt. Waheeda Rehman, Dadasaheb Phalke Awardee at 69th National Film Awards.jpg|thumb|upright|President Murmu presenting the Dadasaheb Phalke Award to Rehman at the 69th National Film Awards]]
{| class="wikitable" !Year !!Film !!Award !!Category !!Result !!Ref. |- |1962 |''Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam'' | rowspan="2" |Filmfare Awards |Best Supporting Actress |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite news |title=The Nominations – 1962 |publisher=Filmfare Awards |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/366477.cms |url-status=dead |access-date=15 December 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708060818/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/366477.cms |archive-date=8 July 2012}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |1965 | rowspan="2" |''Guide'' |Best Actress |{{won}} |<ref>{{cite news |title=The Winners – 1966 |publisher=Filmfare Awards |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/366585.cms |url-status=dead |access-date=15 December 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708000553/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/366585.cms |archive-date=8 July 2012}}</ref> |- |Chicago International Film Festival |Best Actress |{{won}} |<ref>{{cite web| title=Chicago International Film Festival Awards| url=https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/about-us/mission-history/| work=The Chicago International Film Festival| access-date=25 October 2017}}</ref> |- |1966 |''Teesri Kasam'' |BFJA Awards |Best Actress (Hindi) |{{won}} |<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080506034230/http://www.bfjaawards.com/legacy/pastwin/196932.htm 32nd Annual BFJA Awards]</ref> |- |1967 |''Ram Aur Shyam'' | rowspan="3" |Filmfare Awards | rowspan="3" |Best Actress |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite news |title=The Nominations – 1967 |publisher=Filmfare Awards |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/366594.cms |url-status=dead |access-date=15 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029231245/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/366594.cms |archive-date=29 October 2007}}</ref> |- |1968 |''Neel Kamal'' |{{won}} |<ref name=":0" /> |- |1970 |''Khamoshi'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite news |title=The Nominations – 1970 |publisher=Filmfare Awards |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/366830.cms |url-status=dead |access-date=15 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040323041919/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/366830.cms |archive-date=23 March 2004}}</ref> |- |1971 |''Reshma Aur Shera'' |National Film Awards |Best Actress |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 October 2008 |title=Reshma Aur Shera 1971 |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/Reshma-Aur-Shera-1971/article15391878.ece |access-date=31 December 2018 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> |- |1976 |''Kabhi Kabhie'' | rowspan="4" |Filmfare Awards | rowspan="4" |Best Supporting Actress |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite news |title=The Nominations – 1976 |publisher=Filmfare Awards |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/366919.cms |url-status=dead |access-date=15 December 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710105030/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/366919.cms |archive-date=10 July 2012}}</ref> |- |1982 |''Namkeen'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite news |title=The Nominations – 1982 |publisher=Filmfare Awards |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/367120.cms |url-status=dead |access-date=15 December 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708001712/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/367120.cms |archive-date=8 July 2012}}</ref> |- |1989 |''Chandni'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite news |title=The Nominations – 1989 |publisher=Filmfare Awards |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/368588.cms |access-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927114301/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/368588.cms |archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> |- |1991 |''Lamhe'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{cite news |title=The Nominations – 1991 |publisher=Filmfare Awards |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/368596.cms |url-status=dead |access-date=15 December 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710182858/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/368596.cms |archive-date=10 July 2012}}</ref> |}
=== Honours === *Padma Shri in 1972.<ref>{{cite web|title=Padma Awards Directory (1954–2014)|url= http://www.mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/YearWiseListOfRecipientsBharatRatnaPadmaAwards-1954-2014.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914220252/http://www.mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/YearWiseListOfRecipientsBharatRatnaPadmaAwards-1954-2014.pdf|archivedate=14 September 2017|publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|date=21 May 2014|accessdate=22 March 2016|pages=37–72}}</ref> *Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lifetime Achievement (Popular) |publisher=Filmfare Awards |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/articleshow?artid=33782146 |url-status=dead |access-date=15 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212082935/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/articleshow?artid=33782146 |archive-date=12 February 2008}}</ref> *IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iifa.com/iifa-years/iifa-years-2001/ |title=IIFA Through the Years – IIFA 2001: South Africa |website=International Indian Film Academy Awards |access-date=3 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925131700/http://www.iifa.com/iifa-years/iifa-years-2001/ |archive-date=25 September 2015 }}</ref> *NTR National Award in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=N.T.R. NATIONAL FILM AWARDEES|url=https://www.apsftvtdc.in/ntr-national-film-award.html|access-date=3 January 2021|website=APSFTVTDC}}</ref> *Padma Bhushan in 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=Brajesh Mishra, Azim Premji, Montek in list of 128 Padma awardees |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Brajesh-Mishra-Azim-Premji-Montek-in-list-of-128-Padma-awardees/articleshow/7361816.cms |url-status=live |access-date=26 January 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716120734/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Brajesh-Mishra-Azim-Premji-Montek-in-list-of-128-Padma-awardees/articleshow/7361816.cms |archive-date=16 July 2012}}</ref> Centenary award for best film personality 2013 *Rashtriya Kishore Kumar Samman from the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 February 2020 |title=Waheeda Rehman conferred with Kishore Kumar Award |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/waheeda-rehman-conferred-with-kishore-kumar-award-6250909/ |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> *Dadasaheb Phalke Award: India's highest award for cinematic excellence for the year 2021, awarded in 2023 at the 69th National Film Awards.<ref name="Waheeda Rehman honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award for contributions to Indian cinema, expemplifying ‘strength of Bharatiya Nari’">{{cite news |last1=The Indian Express |title=Waheeda Rehman honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award for contributions to Indian cinema, expemplifying 'strength of Bharatiya Nari' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/waheeda-rehman-honoured-with-dadasaheb-phalke-award-for-contributions-to-indian-cinema-expemplifying-strength-of-bharatiya-nari-8956704/ |access-date=26 September 2023 |date=26 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926093107/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/waheeda-rehman-honoured-with-dadasaheb-phalke-award-for-contributions-to-indian-cinema-expemplifying-strength-of-bharatiya-nari-8956704/ |archive-date=26 September 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|}}
== Sources == * {{cite book |title=Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema |last1=Gulzar |last2=Nihalani |first2=Govind |last3=Chatterjee |first3=Saibal |author-link1=Gulzar |author-link2=Govind Nihalani |author-link3=Saibal Chatterjee |publisher=Popular Prakashan |year=2003 |isbn=81-7991-066-0 |ref=En}}
== Further reading == * {{Cite book |last=Kabir |first=Nasreen Munni |title=Conversations with Waheeda Rehman |publisher=Penguin India |year=2014 |isbn=978-06-70086-92-4 |author-link=Nasreen Munni Kabir}}
==External links== {{commons category|Waheeda Rehman}} {{wikiquote}} * {{IMDb name|0716851}} * {{Bollywood Hungama person|waheeda-rehman}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110928174821/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-23/news-interviews/28202984_1_guru-dutt-rojulu-maraayi-waheeda-rehman Waheeda Rehman Interview] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20061210124307/http://www.geocities.com/chchamuk_chchaili/WaheedaRehman.html?1092378902750 A Film Retrospective in Seattle. October 2004] * [http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/article3694350.ece Queen of Hearts] – interview with Rehman published in ''The Hindu''
{{Navboxes | title = Awards and honours for Waheeda Rehman | list = {{Dadasaheb Phalke Award}} {{National Film Award for Best Actress}} {{IFFI - Indian Film Personality of the year Award}} {{NTR National Award}} {{FilmfareBestActressAward}} {{FilmfareLifetimeAchievementAward}} {{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 2010–19}} {{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}} }}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rehman, Waheeda}} Category:1938 births Category:Living people Category:Indian film actresses Category:Actresses from Tamil Nadu Category:Actors from Kanchipuram district Category:Actresses from Vijayawada Category:20th-century Indian actresses Category:21st-century Indian actresses Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema Category:Actresses in Bengali cinema Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema Category:Best Actress National Film Award winners Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts Category:Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award winners Category:Filmfare Awards winners Category:Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipients