–An Article by Poojan Patel
Veteran actor Waheeda Rehman was conferred with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. The award is the highest recognition in the field of Indian cinema and is given to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the industry.
“It is with immense joy and pride that I announce the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for Waheeda Rehman ji this year, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Indian Cinema,” The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting stated on X.
Thakur also acknowledged the recent passing of the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament, remarking, “Given that the historic Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam has been approved by Parliament, honoring her with this lifetime achievement award is a fitting tribute to one of the foremost female figures in Indian Cinema, someone who has devoted her life beyond the realm of films to philanthropy and the greater welfare of society.”
Waheeda Rehman is one of the most celebrated and respected actors in Indian cinema. She has starred in over 80 films in her career, many of which have become classics, including Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Guide, Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam, and Trishul. She is known for her grace, elegance, and versatility, and her performances have often been praised for their sensitivity and nuance.
Waheeda Rehman was born in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, in 1938. She began her acting career in the Telugu film industry in the late 1950s. She made her Bollywood debut in the 1959 film CID, and quickly established herself as one of the leading ladies of the industry.
Over the next six decades, Waheeda Rehman worked with some of the biggest names in Indian cinema, including directors Guru Dutt, Bimal Roy, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, and Yash Chopra. She also starred opposite some of the biggest male stars of the era, including Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, and Rajesh Khanna.
In addition to her commercial success, Rehman has also been critically acclaimed for her performances. She has won two National Film Awards, one for Best Actress for her role in the Telugu film Reshma Aur Shera (1971), and the other for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Bengali film Abhimaan (1973). She has also been awarded the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, two of India’s highest civilian honors.
Waheeda Rehman is known for her grace, elegance, and natural beauty. She is also a very skilled dancer. Her performances in songs like “Piya Tose Naina Lage Re” and “Chalte Chalte Yunhi Koi” are some of the most memorable in Indian cinema history.
Waheeda Rehman is a true icon of Indian cinema. Her contributions to the industry are immense, and she is an inspiration to generations of actors and actresses. The Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award is a fitting recognition of her outstanding career.
